Hypnotherapy for Obsessions

Professional hypnosis treatments for obsessions & OCD at the Wombourne Clinic in Wolverhampton

Understanding Obsessions & OCD

Obsessions and Obsessive Thinking are generally linked with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is a diagnosis widely used within the mental health profession.

Hypnotherapy is useful for people who ‘over-think’ situations.

However, it is generally more helpful to separate compulsive behaviours from Obsessions as the way they affect people’s lives and the way in which they are experienced is very different.

In general terms a compulsive behaviour is one that is undertaken, often with little thought, on impulse or with a sense of having been ‘driven’ to it, and instant relief is felt – Smoking is a good example.

There may be some feelings of guilt or shame felt afterwards, but immediate gratification is felt at the time.

This “instant gratification” is the key to Compulsive behaviours.

However, with Obsessions & OCD, this sense of relief, this gratification, is often never achieved.

The sufferer is likely to focus excessively on the issue at hand, often becoming totally preoccupied by it and they can find themselves involved in repetitive cycles of behaviour which provide little or no relief, and very often these activities are carried out to ensure something else (often something bad) does not happen.

Form this point of view Obsessions are a form of “avoidance” (a way to avoid bad future outcomes).

OCD Symptoms

Obsessions can create a wide range of symptoms and behaviours and almost invariably become more exaggerated rather than reduce over time.

• Being overly jealous or possessive over a partner
• Eating Disorders (e.g. avoiding certain foods, anorexia)
• Constant worry about something
• Sleeping problems (e.g. insomnia)
• Paranoia
• Excessive exercise
• Continual negative thoughts
• Intrusive thoughts
• Constant counting
• Excessive tidiness
• Rituals (e.g. checking the door lock several hundred time just to be sure)

Overall, obsessive thoughts and behaviours are tightly bound-up with a need to be in control, but paradoxically, are often a person being out of control!

The Nature of Obsessions

Obsessions and obsessive behaviours can range from simple everyday behaviours such as tidiness (e.g. placing all food tins in the cupboard with the label facing outwards) to counting numbers or doing sums in their head to the point that they can think of nothing else.

With all Obsessions, it is the degree to which the issue is preoccupying your time and/or limiting your life that is important.

For example, someone who worries about dirt or contamination may simply wash their hands carefully, maybe try and avoid using public toilets, or perhaps ensure they do not touch doors or handles in public toilets even if this means waiting a long time for someone else to open the door so they can nip through ‘untouched’.

However, place this same person under stress and they may begin to wash their hands obsessively and for some people this may become ritualistic to the point that their hands are never clean enough to leave their house.

What Can Cause Obsessive Behaviours?

Obsessive behaviours often stem from a variety of past and present experiences that shape a person’s relationship with thoughts and actions.

These can include early life experiences such as trauma, loss, or significant changes that impact a person’s sense of security and control.

For some, the pressures of daily life, high expectations from themselves or others, or feelings of inadequacy can lead to the development of obsessive patterns as a coping mechanism.

Emotional experiences, such as anxiety or perfectionism, may further drive individuals to seek certainty and reassurance through repetitive thoughts or behaviours, which can quickly spiral into an overwhelming cycle.

By understanding these underlying factors, individuals are better equipped to address the roots of their obsessions and find healthier ways to navigate their feelings.

Hypnotherapy for Obsessions & OCD

Hypnotherapy offers a powerful way to unlock and harness your inner strengths to effectively address the challenges of OCD.

By engaging in this transformative process, you empower yourself much like other therapeutic methods aimed at fostering self-improvement.

With a commitment of 6 to 10 sessions, you will delve into how your past experiences and deeply held beliefs shape your behaviours, paving the way for meaningful change.

The calming nature of hypnosis provides you with the opportunity to examine and rethink the memories and experiences tied to your obsessions, enabling you to cultivate more positive responses and outcomes.