Treatment methods

Methods are selected according to the OCD pattern

OCD can attach itself to many themes, but the theme alone does not determine what will be helpful. We also examine what activates the pattern, how you respond afterwards, and the role taken on by checking, avoidance, reassurance seeking, analysis and other strategies.

Methods are therefore not selected as a fixed package. We combine and adjust them according to your goals, the specific OCD pattern and the experiences you have along the way.

Cognitive behavioural therapy as a clinical framework

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a central clinical framework for treatment. It considers thoughts, interpretations, emotions, bodily reactions and actions together and examines what keeps the OCD pattern going.

The work addresses both what you think and what you do in response to doubt, anxiety, urges or distress. The aim is to develop new experiences and greater freedom to choose a different response.

Exposure and response prevention

Exposure and response prevention is often shortened to ERP. Exposure means approaching situations, thoughts or sensations that activate OCD in a planned and gradual way. Response prevention means practising not following OCD’s usual demands for action, analysis, control, reassurance seeking or avoidance.

The aim is not maximum distress or to prove that a fear is unfounded. Exercises should be relevant and provide an opportunity to learn that you can act more freely without carrying out the usual OCD response.

Read the detailed explanation of exposure and response prevention.

Visible and mental OCD strategies

OCD is not limited to visible actions. Thoughts, analysis, doubt and mental rituals can all function as attempts to obtain relief, certainty, safety or control.

We therefore also work on recognising when apparent problem-solving becomes part of the pattern. Examples include repeated mental review, checking feelings, internal argument or attempts to achieve complete certainty. In ERP, response prevention may therefore involve both visible and mental strategies.

Cognitive and metacognitive techniques

Cognitive techniques can be used to examine the meaning you assign to thoughts, doubt, responsibility and risk. Metacognitive techniques focus on how you relate to thoughts and how much time, attention and control they are given.

The purpose is not to win an argument with every OCD thought or replace every difficult thought with a positive one. The work should make it easier to recognise the pattern, reduce the need for prolonged analysis and choose a different response.

How we combine methods

Methods are not separate packages or fixed stages. During some periods, the main emphasis may be on specific ERP exercises. At other times, it may first be necessary to map mental strategies, examine particular interpretations or adjust how doubt and uncertainty are approached.

We continually consider whether the work is helping you act more freely in relation to OCD and adjust the methods together with you.