Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

At IPITIA, we approach Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with an innovative and specialised approach. Our OCD treatment is based on a deep understanding of this complex disorder, combining advanced therapies with a personalised approach for each patient.

We recognise that OCD is more than a set of symptoms; it profoundly affects the daily lives, relationships and emotional well-being of those who suffer from it. That’s why the goal of our OCD treatments and therapies is not only to alleviate symptoms, but also to empower patients for lasting and meaningful recovery.

What is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental health disorder characterised by obsessions (recurrent, unwanted thoughts, images or impulses) and compulsions (repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession).

These symptoms can be extremely distressing and can significantly interfere with the individual’s daily life.

From a psychological perspective, OCD is often a way of dealing with underlying anxiety. Obsessions generate a high level of anxiety, while compulsions are attempts to alleviate that anxiety. However, this relief is only temporary, and the obsessive-compulsive cycle continues.

Causes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Multifactorial factors: The causes of OCD are complex and multifactorial. They include genetic components, where a family history of OCD or related disorders may increase risk. Biological factors are also significant; research suggests that certain irregularities in the brain, such as in the functioning of neurotransmitters like serotonin, may be involved. Environmental factors, such as traumatic or stressful experiences, may also trigger or aggravate the disorder.
Recent research: Current research is exploring how the interaction of these factors may lead to the development of the disorder, which may offer new approaches to the treatment of OCD.

Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The symptoms of OCD are varied and can manifest themselves in different ways. They commonly include irrational fears (such as fear of germs in the case of contamination), the need for order or symmetry, and forbidden or taboo thoughts.

Compulsions may include behaviours such as repeated hand washing, constant ordering or checking, and mental rituals.

These symptoms can be extremely disruptive and time consuming, leading to a significant decrease in quality of life. They can affect work performance, relationships and the ability to function in everyday situations.

Types of OCD

OCD can present in a variety of forms, each with its own challenges and treatment needs.

Homosexual OCD

Homosexual OCD is one of the most common types of OCD. However, there is very little written about it. It is often misdiagnosed as repressed homosexuality, which causes even more distress to sufferers.

Many clients are surprised to see that more people have homosexual OCD and especially when it is explained to them that a majority of the patients who come to our centre come for this main reason.

In this section we will explain what homosexual OCD is, how it originates, how it affects the life of a person who suffers from it and how it can be treated.

OCD Obsession with cleanliness

Cleanliness obsession is an excessive fear of contamination and contagion. Sufferers perceive an exaggerated risk of contaminating themselves or someone else in their environment.

Usually, there is something that needs to be “cleansed” or purified, such as obsessive thoughts related to pollution, accidents, or unwanted emotions such as anger, guilt, hatred or grief.

They may have very fearful thoughts, for example that by touching the counter in the underground they will catch a serious illness, or that by not doing the dishes “well or enough” one of their family members will catch the disease and die.

Jealousy OCD

Obsessive compulsive jealousy disorder works in the same way as other types of OCD, but in this case the repetitive and intrusive thinking that the person cannot control revolves around the obsessive, often delusional, idea that they are being unfaithful and a compulsive need to check it out.

Inquiring into the partner’s social networks, mail, checking questions, taking personal information, mobile phone, following the person or relating any behaviour of the partner (dressing up, being happy, sad, being late, shaving or waxing…) with the intention of seeing a lover or committing an act on the sly.

Fear of death

The fear of death is an existential fear of all times. It is a fear that affects all people who reflect on their presence in this world. Thinking about death indicates that we have a heightened awareness that allows us to step out of the routine and appreciate what we are contributing to our community or what mark we are leaving.

However, this contemplation can become a problem the moment that fear and reflection on death become our main occupation of the day. This is what happens in the case of death OCD (also known as death phobia or thanatophobia).

Love OCD

Touc de amours is a type of OCD that consists of having constant obsessions and/or doubts about the partner relationship and whether or not they feel true love for the other person.

People suffering from love touch may have doubts about whether their partner is suitable in the long run, whether they really find him or her attractive, whether he or she can satisfy them sexually, and whether their relationship will last.

These doubts are unwanted and can take over their day. They may be thinking and doubting for hours. However, their relationship can be very satisfying, i.e. the thoughts are not necessarily generated by a bad relationship.

Fear of doing harm

Harm OCD is a type of OCD where the obsessions focus mainly on the irrational fear of losing control and physically hurting someone, usually the most loved or vulnerable people.

This type of recurrent thoughts or ideas work by association in their beginnings, any news or violent event that they may know or know about helps them to imagine themselves in that situation.

“What would happen if I lost control myself and killed someone? Would I be able to do something similar? What if I found myself in that situation?” … In this way we enter a dynamic that seems to have no end.

Religious OCD

Religious tocom consists of a deep fear of sinning, committing blasphemy, or not being good enough as a person. People who suffer from religious touch worry about having “evil” or “impure” thoughts and doing things that are not according to the Bible.

They may fear that they will not end up in heaven, or that God will judge them for whatever they do. They believe in a harsh God who will condemn them for their behaviour and their inner world. They may fear being possessed by the devil if they are not “believers enough”.

Illness OCD

Illness OCD is characterised by an obsessive fear of contracting a specific illness and even living under the conviction of suffering from it. Fear has a basic and fundamental function: survival. It accompanies any human being as well as other mammals and is considered one of the primary and instinctive emotions that has allowed us to adapt to the environment. Without fear we would die.

The problem arises when it becomes dysfunctional and instead of protecting us from danger it makes life more difficult, as in obsessive-compulsive illness disorder.

Paedophile OCD

People suffering from paedophilia OCD suffer a lot and precisely because of the subject of the obsessions, paedophilia, it is very difficult for them to go to a professional or to talk about the disorder itself, as it is often misunderstood or a false diagnosis of paedophilia is assumed.

However, OCD is something very different, it is fuelled by FEAR and not by DESIRE, it has nothing to do with being a paedophile.

OCD of False Memories

False memory OCD is a type of OCD in which obsessions centre around the possibility of having committed a crime. People with this type of OCD constantly doubt whether they have done something serious such as killing or raping someone.

These thoughts gain power over time until the person is convinced that they have done it.

What does IPITIA’s OCD treatment consist of?

At IPITIA, our approach to treatment for OCD is comprehensive and personalised. We recognise that each person is unique and, therefore, your treatment and therapy should be tailored to your specific needs.

Our treatment of OCD

Our treatment of OCD is based on our own eclectic and integrative methodology, which we could call analytical-experiential because, on the one hand, we work on the roots of the problem and we also propose activities to be carried out by our patients.

Advantages for the patient

Our patient-centred treatment of OCD offers multiple advantages:

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Personalised treatment

Each OCD treatment plan is carefully designed to address the patient’s specific needs and symptoms. We recognise that OCD manifests differently in each individual, and our flexible approach allows us to tailor OCD therapies for the best possible outcomes.

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Evidence-based methods

We use therapeutic techniques backed by scientific research, ensuring that patients receive the most effective and up-to-date treatment.

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Holistic approach

Beyond treating just the symptoms of the disorder, our OCD treatment focuses on the patient’s overall well-being, including strategies to improve mental and emotional health, stress management and resilience.

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Ongoing support

We provide a supportive environment where patients can feel safe to explore their thoughts and behaviours. Ongoing support from the IPITIA team is critical in helping patients navigate their path to recovery.

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Patient autonomy

We empower patients to take an active role in their recovery process by providing them with tools and techniques they can apply in their daily lives to better manage their symptoms.

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Confidentiality and respect

We maintain the highest confidentiality and respect for the privacy of our patients, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for their treatment.

Our OCD treatment is evidence-based and led by a team of experts specialising in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, ensuring a high level of care and support.

Contact with us

To begin your journey towards getting better, or even overcoming your disorder, through our unique OCD treatments and therapies, we invite you to contact us via our contact form.

Simply complete the necessary fields with your information and any questions or queries you may have, and one of our professionals will contact you as soon as possible.

Your journey to a fuller life free of OCD symptoms starts here!

CONTACT US

(+34) 935 282 353

(+34) 637 669 160

You can fill out the contact form and we will contact you as soon as possible.

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