What's a compulsion? With Dr. Patrick McGrath

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is frequently misunderstood, and compulsions in particular are ridiculed, labeled as strange or annoying, or simply not noticed. Most people think compulsions are just what we see in the movies: cleaning, checking locks, washing hands. While these are common among those with OCD, there are countless compulsions (and many of them actually happen in people's minds, invisible to the rest of us). Compulsions take up significant amounts of time and energy, and are often debilitating; learning to resist them is central to OCD treatment. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath dispels many of the myths and misunderstandings about compulsions. He tells us how he and other OCD specialists define these behaviors and gives detailed examples that can help us all understand and recognize compulsions—whether they're our own or anyone else's. If you'd like help with your OCD, call or text us at (312)766-6780, or schedule a call to connect with one of our OCD trained therapists: https://home.treatmyocd.com/calendar?... Dr. McGrath is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Head of Clinical Services at NOCD. He is also the President of OCD Midwest an affiliate of the IOCDF), the President of Anxiety Centers of Illinois, a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and NOCD, and the author of The OCD Answer Book and Don't Try Harder, Try Different. NOCD's Website: https://www.treatmyocd.com/ NOCD App: https://apple.co/2mqjCTe ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a common and often debilitating psychiatric disorder. It affects 1 in 40, and is frequently misunderstood as a personality quirk. Its primary symptoms are obsessions (repetitive, unwanted thoughts that cause significant distress) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing this distress). The most effective form of therapy for OCD is exposure and response prevention, or ERP, in which people gradually face situations that provoke their obsessions while resisting their compulsions. Because OCD involves complicated symptoms, ERP is best done with an OCD-trained therapist.