Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center (408) 384-8404
CBT for Anxiety & Related Problems • San Jose/Silicon Valley
Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders Therapy and Counseling in San Jose
Laura L.C. Johnson, MBA, MA, LMFT, Cognitive Behavior Therapist • (408) 384-8404
What are Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders?
The obsessive compulsive spectrum includes a range of disorders that vary on whether the accompanying behaviors tend to be more compulsive versus impulsive. On the compulsive side, people with OCD, for example, exhibit over-thinking, excessive worry, over-focus on unlikely consequences and harm reduction. In contrast, impulsive behaviors like those involved involved with eating disorders and other addictions involve numbing and under-thinking in spite of risks. Although we talk about the OCD spectrum as being linear, in reality, people may exhibit a combination of behaviors.
In addition to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, some of the obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders that I treat using cognitive behavioral therapy include:
Compulsive Side of the OCD Spectrum
Hypochondriasis / Health Anxiety – People with health anxiety have an obsessive, irrational fear of having a serious disease or medical condition. If you have health anxiety, you may visit the doctor and get medical tests done frequently because you are seeking reassurance that there's nothing wrong with you. However, after a short time, you may once again doubt that you are okay and feel compelled to check on your health and get reassurance. Eventually, your doctor may refer you for therapy to help you learn to manage your anxiety.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) – Body dysmorphic disorder involves an obsessive, irrational preoccupation with a defect in one’s physical appearance. You may focus on a specific bodily part, such as your hair, your nose, your stomach or your skin and believe that it is grossly disfigured, even though there's nothing wrong with you.
Impulsive Side of the OCD Spectrum
Trichotillomania / Hair Pulling – Trichotillomania involves a recurrent, compulsive pulling out of one’s own hair, resulting in observable hair loss. You may feel a build-up of tension and feel relief when playing with or pulling out your hair. Some people report that they need to find just the right strand of hair to pull out and may experience some enjoyment from the tactile stimulation.
Skin Picking and Nail Biting – Skin picking and nail biting become a disorder when they involve repetitive picking at one’s own skin or nails to the point that it causes damage. Compulsive skin picking often leaves visible scars and brings the sufferer intense shame, causing them to keep the affected areas covered.
Eating Disorders - Some researchers and clinicians believe that eating disorders are part of the obsessive compulsive spectrum because they involve obsessions and compulsions around food and body image. If you have an eating disorder, you may have an obsessive focus on your weight and body image and engage in compulsive behaviors such as bingeing, purging, restricting and food rituals in order to try to feel a sense of control. Eating disorders are often accompanied by anxiety disorders and there's a high co-morbidity with OCD.
Laura L.C. Johnson, MBA, MA, LMFT
Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center for Anxiety & Related Problems
Certified by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy
Certified by the Academy of Cognitive Therapy
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, MFC48807
1475 Saratoga Avenue, Suite 168
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 384-8404