#WellnessWednesday: I Went to Talk Therapy for OCD and it did NOT Work. Why?

[BethIOCDF]

This is also known as Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Therapy or general psychotherapy. The goal of this treatment is to achieve insight into the underlying nature of the presenting problem. The clinician does not offer any definitive answers, and clients are left to speculate about possible connections between their symptoms and some other prior events or personal history.

This type of therapy is NOT helpful to those suffering with OCD. Research has demonstrated that there are several key areas that are relevant to OCD. Two in particular – intolerance of uncertainty and over-importance of thoughts – are emphasized when psychodynamically-oriented approaches are adopted. Research also shows that psychodynamic approaches worsen symptoms of OCD.

To learn about other types of treatment that are that are NOT beneficial for therapy please click below:

iocdf.org/expert-opinions/i...

[deValentin]

I agree with you. Telling yourself, “Let me find first in my personal history the cause of my OCD, and then I’ll do my best to live a normal life” serves only to fuel OCD. It’s at least my experience.

[Sallyskins]

Absolutely. It isn't effective with OCD, and though it may be worth trying to process past experiences, it doesn't really help with the OCD.

In my 20s I had a really useless therapist. He knew I had OCD, since I had described my symptoms, but didn't tell me, and didn't suggest CBT or ERP. I hadn't heard of OCD at that stage. He had a bumptious manner and would sit there at his desk in his cowboy shirt, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes (rude as well as unprofessional) and ask me to spill all about my difficult childhood.

Mostly he just sat there impassively while I talked and tried not to run out of things to say. I got really cross at one session and said that I might as well put a teddy bear on a chair and talk to that, for all the good I got from talking to him.

I got so furious when I found out about OCD - that my symptoms had a name, that other people had it, and that there were proper treatments. I had a go at him, but his response was one of mild puzzlement. I began to tackle my OCD myself.

I'm only glad that I wasn't actually paying for appointments with this goon, as it was all on the NHS (National Health Service).

[BethIOCDF Partner IOCDF Staff in reply to Sallyskins]

Oh wow. Such a frustrating experience. Glad you didn't have to come out of pocket for that.

[Sallyskins in reply to BethIOCDF]

For him, it was basically money for old rope. The NHS could have saved a shedload of cash by employing a teddy bear - or a dog! At least a dog is responsive!

[deValentin in reply to Sallyskins]

During the 1970s and 1980s psychoanalysis' popularity in psychiatry suddenly declined as rapidly as it had risen. The only thing one could say in the defence of your therapist is that he was a product of his time. I remember my math teacher in 1972 drinking coffee and smoking while supervising our tests!!!

[Sallyskins in reply to deValentin]

I don't think it excuses him that it was in the mid 80s. Bad form, and rude - and I thought so at the time.

[deValentin in reply to Sallyskins]

I agree. Practicing psychoanalysis doesn't prevent one from being considerate.