OCD treatment in Singapore with ERP

OCD involves unwanted thoughts, images, urges or doubts (obsessions) and the things people do to ease the distress they cause (compulsions). Common themes include contamination, harm, checking, symmetry, relationships, religion or morality.

Compulsions are not always visible. Mental reviewing, reassurance seeking, avoidance and silently "neutralising" a thought are rituals too, and they often keep the cycle going.

In ERP you gradually face feared situations, thoughts or images (exposure) while holding back the ritual or avoidance (response prevention). Over time the brain learns that the distress can be tolerated and that the feared outcome is less likely or less catastrophic than OCD predicts.

What sessions usually involve:

• An assessment of your OCD themes, rituals and what you avoid.
• Building a personal fear hierarchy, from easier to harder steps.
• Practising exposures together in session, then between sessions.
• Reviewing progress and adjusting the plan with you, at a pace you agree to.

ERP has a reputation for sounding daunting, so a big part of the work is building your confidence to approach it. You are never pushed into an exposure you have not agreed to - and research consistently shows that people expect exposures to feel worse than they actually do.

You can get a head start with our free exposure hierarchy builder, and use the breathing and grounding tool when anxiety runs high.

Intrusive thoughts can involve harm, relationships or moral doubts as well as contamination and checking. Assessment looks at the distress and the rituals surrounding them, rather than assuming that an unwanted thought is a diagnosis. Mental compulsions and reassurance seeking can be part of the treatment plan too.

Online ERP sessions let you practise agreed tasks in your everyday surroundings. Ming assesses whether online therapy or a structured home visit is appropriate for your needs. Learn more about OCD themes, obsessions and compulsions.