Ep. 20/ OCD

Jenna Schloss, MSW, LCSW specializes in treating OCD and other anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, hair-pulling, and skin-picking. She sees therapy as a challenging, yet rewarding space for her clients to feel supported as they work towards creating a more fulfilling life.

Her experience includes providing individual and group therapy, as well as facilitating trainings about evidence-based treatment. She has had the opportunity to receive intensive training and consultation in several evidence-based treatment modalities such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She utilizes these approaches as a foundation for treatment, and tailors her approach to the individual needs and goals of each client. All of her work with clients incorporates a collaborative approach, warmth, trust, and humor. She believes that laughter is an essential part of life and mental health.

Outside of her work with individual clients, she engages in regular training and consultation with colleagues and also participates in biweekly one on one supervision in order to foster continuous clinical growth in service of providing the best treatment for her clients.

In her free time, you can find her drinking Diet Coke, exploring her neighborhood via long walks, trying out restaurants across Chicago (she especially loves spicy dishes!), and giving belly rubs to her dog, Maddie. She also love seeing live stand-up comedy – humor is a big part of her life and I incorporates it into treatment with her clients as much as possible!

OCD

(obsessive compulsive disorder)

By: Jenna Schloss, MSW, LCSW

I have so much to say and teach about OCD, that it’s hard to know where to begin. I hope that this post will provide some introductory and helpful information for those who suffer from OCD, as well as therapists who are interested in learning more about the disorder.

What is OCD?

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is a mental health disorder that is characterized by significant impairment associated with experiencing unwanted thoughts (obsessions), images, or sensations that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) in an effort to alleviate anxiety. OCD can be incredibly debilitating and it often takes sufferers many years or even decades to seek out treatment and/or to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. 

OCD can be described as the process of the brain perceiving a threat when there may or may not be one. Our minds are designed to protect us, but sometimes they are a bit overprotective! Often, OCD signals a false alarm - similar to a teenager pulling the fire alarm during the school day. While intrusive thoughts and images do not always indicate a real threat, OCD sufferers still respond as if there is one and do things to move towards “safety.” 

While compulsions might feel involuntary, we do have control over them. I like to utilize the visualization of a balloon to describe what I call “the OCD monster.” In the OCD community, we often refer to OCD as a bully, a monster, or a demon. This is because OCD demands certainty and since we live in a world full of uncertainty, it is nearly impossible to win a fight against OCD. Each time someone gives into a compulsion, they are feeding the OCD monster and the balloon gets bigger, taking up more space in one’s life. Without proper treatment, the balloon can keep  getting bigger over time and it can lead to a debilitating life where people have difficulty socializing, working, leaving the house, and taking care of themselves via proper nutrition and hygiene. 

When we notice intrusive thoughts and urges - and choose not to act on them - we are starving the OCD monster. I teach my clients to stop fighting with their intrusive thoughts and urges. Often, when we allow OCD to be there, it quiets on its own. Slowly, the giant balloon lets out a bit of air and overtime, OCD literally takes up less time and space in someone’s life and allows them to live more fully, without OCD dictating what they do! Essentially, the goal of treatment is to help people not respond when the fire alarm goes off (unless it is a real fire). 

What Types of OCD Exist?

Someone with OCD may experience intrusive thoughts or images about having cancer, harming others, being a pedophile, or a fear that they have been lying to themselves about their sexual identity. OCD sufferers struggle to tolerate the lack of certainty in these areas and they engage in behaviors to help to soothe their distress. Common compulsions may include rumination, excessive cleaning or hand-washing, counting or repeating certain phrases or prayers, and checking behaviors (locks, appliances, etc.).

The disorder can manifest in many different ways, and there are several subtypes of OCD that are recognized by mental health professionals. It is important to note that for many OCD sufferers, the theme or content of the obsessions may change frequently. Common subtypes include, but are not limited to the following:

• Contamination OCD

• Relationship OCD

• Harm OCD

• Just Right OCD

• Pedophilia OCD

• Sexual Orientation OCD

• Scrupulosity/Religious OCD

• Hit and Run OCD

• False Memory OCD

What Does Treatment for OCD Look Like?

The most common evidence-based treatments for OCD are ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). In my practice, I utilize a combination of these modalities in my work with clients. ERP treatment involves gradually exposing people to the things that trigger their symptoms in an approachable way, while teaching clients how to resist engaging in compulsive behaviors. Though this treatment can be difficult, over time clients build up their “muscle” for tolerating uncertainty and are able to engage more fully in their lives.

Treating OCD can be complex and requires treatment with a specialist that includes hard work and practice. While this disorder can rob people of their lives, there is HOPE! We have treatments available that can help OCD sufferers live a much better quality of life! This treatment takes courage, willingness, and trust in the process. I have seen treatment be successful and completely open up the world for many clients. 

For more information about Jenna’s practice or about OCD, please feel free to visit her website at schlosspc.com. 

Ep. 20/

OCD