Obsessions can become a mental prison, affecting your emotional well-being and your ability to enjoy life. If you find yourself trapped in a cycle of intrusive and recurring thoughts, it is important to know that you are not alone. Many people often, to varying degrees, have obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that they feel they cannot control or that these thoughts control them.

 

Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses that are persistently repeated and generate intense anxiety. These intrusive thoughts are often accompanied by repetitive rituals or behaviors, known as compulsions, that are performed to relieve anxiety temporarily. The most common obsessions include fear of pollution, excessive doubts, need for symmetry, órden, cleanliness or perfectionism, among others.

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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach to treating obsessions and compulsions. Besides, the positive results give the Metacognitive Therapy. We will work in a personalized way to address your obsessions and compulsions, helping you to challenge negative thought patterns and develop effective strategies to manage anxiety.

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The basic premise is that thoughts, emotions and behaviors are interrelated. Through therapy, you will learn to identify and question the irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions associated with your obsessions. I will provide you with tools and techniques to replace obsessive thoughts with more realistic and adaptive thoughts.

 

Gradual exposure to the stimuli that trigger your obsessions, combined with prevention of compulsive response, is a fundamental component of obsession therapy. We will create an exposure plan for you to face your fears in a controlled and progressive manner. As you repeatedly expose yourself to the dreaded situations and refrain from compulsions, your anxiety will gradually decrease.

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In addition, I will teach you relaxation techniques, deep breathing and other coping strategies to reduce anxiety associated with obsessions. These tools will help you manage stress, stay calm and respond more effectively to obsessive thoughts.

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Some people get to very high levels of obsessions, eventually developing Obsessive Compulsive Syndrome, and think it is impossible to control thoughts or that they control us. This hypothesis is unrealistic and can be refuted with small behavioral experiments. Some concrete examples can be found on my Blog. Remember that you have control over your thoughts, emotions and behaviors and not the other way around.