How does EFT help with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

EFT Tapping For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Do you struggle with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that take over your life? Are you tired of feeling trapped and hopeless in the face of your OCD? Sit back, relax, and get ready to discover the benefits of EFT Tapping and how it can help you manage your OCD.

This blog will equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to make informed decisions about your mental health and well-being, and help you on your journey towards freedom from OCD.

Imagine a world where your thoughts and actions are controlled by an invisible force that dictates your every move.

You wake up each day to the same routine - checking the locks on the doors and windows, counting the steps it takes to get to the bathroom, and repeating phrases in your head to ward off bad luck.

You know these behaviors don't make sense, but you can't help but feel that if you don't perform them, something terrible will happen. You spend hours each day engaged in these rituals, afraid to deviate from the routine for even a moment.

The constant cycle of obsession and compulsion takes over your life, leaving you feeling trapped and helpless. The shame and embarrassment you feel about your behaviors make it difficult to reach out for help.

But one day, you muster the courage to confide in a loved one and they encourage you to seek professional help. You walk into the office of an EFT therapist, feeling nervous and unsure. You've been struggling with OCD for a long time, and you're finally ready to try something different.

Your therapist greets you with a warm smile and invites you to take a seat on the couch. As you start to relax, the therapist guides you through various techniques to help you tap into your memories.

You close your eyes and take deep breaths, feeling your body sink into the couch. Suddenly, you are transported back to your childhood, surrounded by familiar sights and sounds. Your therapist encourages you to describe what you see and how you feel.

You are transported back to that moment when you were five or six years old, sitting on the steps of the school on a rainy day, waiting for your father. You were staring blankly at the water waiting to catch a glimpse of him, but he did not come. As you speak, you start to realise how unloved and abandoned you felt in that moment.

The therapist helps you process your emotions and connect the dots to your current life.
With gentle guidance and support you work through difficult feelings, helping you to find closure and a sense of peace. As the session comes to an end, you feel lighter and more grounded. You have a newfound understanding of yourself and a roadmap for moving forward. And this is just the beginning of your journey towards healing.

Through EFT Tapping, you learn to understand the nature of your OCD and how to manage it. It's not an easy journey, but with time and dedication, you are able to reclaim control of your life.

You still have moments of uncertainty and doubt, but now you have tools to cope with them. You are no longer a slave to your obsessions and compulsions. You are finally free to imagine a life without the shackles of OCD.

WHAT IS OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that is characterised by repetitive thoughts and behaviors that a person feels compelled to perform in order to alleviate anxiety.

Individuals with OCD may engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts, such as excessive hand washing, counting, checking, organizing, and mental rituals like praying or repeating phrases.

They may also experience unwanted and intrusive thoughts about harm, contamination, or taboo topics. These thoughts and behaviors can consume a significant amount of time and greatly impact daily life, relationships, and activities.

People with OCD may feel embarrassed or ashamed of their symptoms, leading them to try and hide their behaviors from others.

Currently, there is no cure for OCD, but it is a manageable condition. A combination of therapy and medication is often the most effective treatment approach.

With the proper approach, many people with OCD are able to reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life. However, some may still experience symptoms even with treatment and ongoing management may be necessary.

OCD is a relatively common mental health condition affecting approximately 2-3% of the population globally.

It can occur in people of any age, gender, or cultural background, although it often first develops in adolescence or early adulthood.

OCD is equally common in men and women, and it is estimated that about 1 in 100 children and adolescents have OCD.

SYMPTOMS OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOUR

The following are some common symptoms of OCD:

Obsessions

Recurrent, persistent, and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety or distress.
Common themes include: fear of contamination, harm to self or others, symmetry and order, doubt about completing tasks, intrusive sexual or religious thoughts, etc.
The person tries to ignore or suppress these thoughts, but they persist.

Compulsions

Repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that the person feels driven to perform in response to the obsessions.
The compulsions are aimed at reducing the anxiety caused by the obsessions, but they are not logically connected to the obsessions and do not bring pleasure.
Common compulsions include: hand washing, cleaning, counting, repeating words or phrases, checking, arranging and organising, etc.

Additional symptoms may include

Significant interference with daily functioning and quality of life.
Avoidance of situations or objects that trigger obsessions.
Feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or frustrated about the obsessions and compulsions.
Feelings of guilt and shame about not being able to control the thoughts and behaviours.
Excessive time and energy devoted to obsessions and compulsions.
Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

WHAT ARE SOME COMPLICATIONS THAT CAN ARISE FROM OCD?

OCD can have serious consequences if left untreated, leading to:

Interference with daily functioning:

OCD can consume a significant amount of time and energy, making it difficult to perform daily tasks, maintain relationships, and achieve personal and professional goals.

Isolation and loneliness:

People with OCD may avoid social situations or withdraw from their loved ones due to the shame and embarrassment associated with their symptoms.

Substance abuse:

Some individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the distress caused by OCD, leading to addiction and other health problems.

Suicidal thoughts and actions:

OCD can cause severe anxiety and depression, leading to thoughts of suicide and self-harm.

Eating disorders:

Some individuals with OCD may develop eating disorders as a result of their fears about contamination or their need for symmetry and order.

Stress-related physical health problems:

Chronic stress and anxiety can take a toll on the body, leading to headaches, digestive problems, and other physical symptoms.

Strained relationships:

OCD can strain personal and professional relationships leading to conflicts, misunderstandings, and emotional pain.

Financial problems:

The time and energy devoted to OCD rituals can lead to lost work hours, missed opportunities, and financial difficulties.

EFT Tapping can help to reduce the severity of symptoms, improve daily functioning, and prevent these complications. It's important to seek help as soon as possible if you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from OCD.

THE STAGES OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER

The stages of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder typically include:

Obsession:

Intrusive and recurring thoughts, images, or impulses.

Anxiety:

A feeling of intense distress or unease due to the obsessions.

Compulsion:

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety.

Temporary relief:

A temporary reduction in anxiety after performing the compulsions.

Return of obsession:

Recurrence of the obsessive thoughts, leading to a cycle of obsession and compulsion.

The stages can vary for each individual and can present differently for different types of OCD.

USING EFT TAPPING TO OVERCOME OCD

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a type of psychological therapy that aims to reduce the symptoms of OCD by addressing the emotional components of the disorder. It addresses the various stages of OCD as follows:

Obsession:

EFT helps to reduce the intensity of the obsessive thoughts by neutralizing the negative emotions associated with them.

Anxiety:

EFT uses tapping on specific acupressure points to reduce anxiety levels and calm the nervous system.

Compulsion:

EFT helps to reduce the urge to perform compulsive behaviors by addressing the underlying emotions that drive them.

Temporary relief:

EFT can provide long-lasting relief from the obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, breaking the cycle of temporary relief followed by the return of obsession.

Return of obsession:

EFT can help to prevent the return of obsessive thoughts by addressing and resolving the underlying emotional triggers.

EFT TAPPING FOR OCD: CLINICAL FINDINGS

There have been several studies that suggest that EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) may be effective in reducing symptoms of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).

One study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease in 2012 found that EFT reduced symptoms of OCD, including intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, in a small sample of individuals.

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in 2015 found that EFT was effective in reducing symptoms of OCD and depression in a sample of individuals who had previously not responded to traditional forms of therapy.

Here are some research links on the use of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) for treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

Efficacy of the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for reducing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A pilot study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3846358/
The effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in reducing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomised controlled trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4494760/
A randomized controlled trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4464786/

TAPPING AWAY OCD: PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH EFT

I remember my sister used to get down on her knees and clean the kitchen floor with a toothbrush. What I didn’t know is she had a label known as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Years later, my sister shared with me that she overcame OCD using EFT.

And since, I have had a client in my seminar in Pune who had obsessive compulsive disorder. And he used to make sure he would lock the locks, and lock them again, and he never felt safe until the locks were locked. He had this underlying anxiety, and any attempt to even bring him to the front of the room on the stage and do a demonstration didn’t work because he didn’t want to be in the limelight. And I remember this one day he came where he put his hand and I worked with him from within the audience while I was on stage, and I asked what was he feeling and he shared his feeling. Then I asked him when has he felt like that before?

And he shared how he was five or six years old sitting on the steps of his school, and he was looking down. It was raining and he was soaked through with the rain. His school door was closed and he was waiting for his dad to come. His dad was very wealthy but his dad had neglected being there physically for the child. And his dad had promised to pick him up from the school but his dad never came, and he waited and waited and waited and just kept looking down at the water.

And because he also over washed his hands which was the connection that he made with the water. His dad came but he came later. And he just realised on that day that he’s not lovable and that the world is not safe, and that his dad could not keep him safe. And that crystalised into OCD.

There was another gentleman who came to my clinic in London, and he would wash his hands obsessively and he would also sit in the bathroom for up to 10 hours where his skin had become quite damaged and frail from the over washing.

And we used EFT tapping with him because sometimes with EFT tapping, if someone has an OCD label, they can use EFT tapping as a healthier means of repeating a particular behavior, so that it doesn’t cause damage to the body.

And in his case, when he first came, he wouldn’t open the bathroom door because he wouldn’t touch it. And he wouldn’t touch the taps as well, and so I had to open the door and tap for him. By the end of the session, he could open the door and the tap, and then he washed his hands.

OVERCOMING OCD: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO EFT TAPPING

The treatment protocol for EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) tapping for OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) may vary based on the individual and the severity of their symptoms.

In general, the following steps can be used as a guide for an EFT tapping session for OCD:

Identifying the trigger: Identify the specific thought, image, or situation that triggers your OCD symptoms.
Setting up the tapping points: Tap on specific acupressure points on the face, body, and hand while focusing on the trigger and the associated feelings and sensations.
Repeating the affirmation: Repeat a positive affirmation related to your OCD trigger while tapping.
Tapping sequence: Follow the EFT tapping sequence, tapping on each point while focusing on the trigger and repeating the affirmation.
Reassessment: After completing the tapping sequence, reassess the intensity of your OCD symptoms. If the symptoms persist, you can repeat the tapping sequence until you feel a noticeable reduction in your symptoms.

REFLECTING ON THE JOURNEY: FINAL THOUGHTS ON OCD

As an EFT Practitioner, I have seen the transformative power of tapping in treating OCD. From my experience, tapping has provided an effective, non-invasive solution for many people struggling with OCD symptoms. By addressing negative thoughts, fears, and beliefs at the root cause, tapping helps you release emotional blocks, reduce anxiety and increase overall well-being.

I have seen people make remarkable progress with tapping, from reducing the severity of their OCD thoughts to experiencing complete freedom from them. With consistent application of tapping, you can gain a sense of control over your thoughts and emotions, leading to improved self-esteem, greater confidence and a better quality of life.

One of the things I love about tapping is how easily it can be integrated into daily life, making it a sustainable and long-lasting solution for OCD. If you are struggling with OCD, give EFT tapping a try and experience the healing power for yourself.

New to EFT? Learn how Emotional Freedom Technique Tapping heals.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping) is clinically proven to lower stress, tension, anxiety, past-trauma to enable health, happiness and vitality.

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BREAK FREE FROM OCD WITH THIS EFT TAPPING SEQUENCE

Here's a simplified easy to follow EFT tapping sequence for OCD:

Step 1:

Take a quick temperature check

Identify the obsessive thought or compulsive behavior:

How long have you had OCD?
Who else in your family has OCD?

Step 2:

Rate the intensity

Rate the intensity on a scale of 1-10 by asking,

" What number is the OCD at, where 10 is really high and 1 is not high at all."

Step 3:

Start tapping on the side of your hand

Begin tapping on the Karate Chop and say:

“Even though I have this obsession, and I can feel it in my ….. and it is at a number ….. and it makes me feel ….., I deeply and completely love and accept myself."

Repeat this 3 times.

Step 4:

Tap on the body points

Now, tap on the facial and upper body points using the reminder phrases:

Eyebrow: Even though I have this obsession
Side of the Eye: Number ... (SUDs)
Under the Eye: So ... (feeling or sensation)
Under the Nose: Makes me feel so ... (feeling or sensation)
Chin: This ... (incident/event/memory name)
Collarbone: It makes me feel so ... (feeling or sensation)
Thumb: I just feel so ... (feeling or sensation)
Index Finger: In the ... (location)
Middle Finger: This ... (incident/event/memory name)
Little Finger: So ... (feeling or sensation)

Step 5:

Close the sequence

End the sequence by tapping on the side of your hand again and say,

“Even though I have this obsession, and I can feel it in my ….. and it is at a number ….. and it makes me feel ….., I deeply and completely love and accept myself."

Step 6:

Relax

Take a deep breath and relax. Take a sip of water.

Step 7:

Test:

At the end of the sequence, test yourself by asking:

“What intensity is the OCD at?”

If it has reduced to a level you feel happy with, you can stop. If you want it to reduce further, repeat this process by going back to Step 1.

CONCLUSION

With EFT Tapping, you can easily overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It is a technique that complements your efforts in fighting back all negatives and accepting who you really are.

Thus, the light at the end of the tunnel for addicts is EFT Tapping for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Continue to learn and explore!

Love,

Dr Rangana Rupavi Choudhuri (PhD)

P.S. Want to discover if EFT is right for you? Book a Complimentary Discovery Call.

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In summary, using EFT Tapping for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder will allow you to discover the root cause of the OCD, promote a deeper mind-body connection that is free from it, and tune your body's energy into a more positive outflow.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is purely for educational purposes and does not in any way replace the requirement for medical and psychological diagnosis and treatment. Please seek professional medical and psychological diagnosis and advice for all medical and mental health conditions. It is advised to always book any consultations with qualified professionals.

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