What is compulsive behaviour?
Compulsive behaviour is best described as persistently or repetitively performing actions, usually in an attempt to control, or eliminate obsessive thoughts. Studies have shown that the major cause of compulsive behaviour, is obsessive compulsive disorder, also known as OCD.
OCD is recognised as an anxiety disorder, and because compulsive behaviour is linked to OCD, it falls under the same umbrella.
It is estimated that about 50 million people worldwide suffer from some form of obsessive behaviour, but it is believed that this number might be significantly higher. Many people with OCD or compulsive behaviour, often claim it is not a problem, and will put up with the condition for years, until life becomes impossible to handle, and only then might seek help.
If you are battling with anxiety and compulsive behaviour patterns, getting help early is the key to getting things under control.
Symptoms of compulsive behaviour.
There are various types of compulsive behaviours, and the patterns vary from person to person. Here are some of the common kinds of compulsions which include:
· Compulsive shopping, which is characterised by excessive shopping, even if it is unaffordable. This can damage family relationships, and lead to financial difficulties. Studies have indicated that 80% of folk who have this kind of behavior, are women.
· Hoarding is a serious inability to discard things such as old clothes, newspapers, containers, junk mail, broken items, in fact anything which is no longer needed. The stored rubbish gives hoarders a false sense of security, and sometimes a temporary relief from fearful thoughts.
· Constant checking that doors and windows are locked, appliances like stoves and irons etc are switched off. This is related to obsessive thoughts that somebody could break in, or the house might burn down and the family come to harm.
· Compulsive washing behaviours are rooted in a fear of contamination by contact with germs or bacteria. This is usually related to excessive hand washing, but can include frequent washing or wiping of household surfaces.
· Research has shown that people who talk non-stop and always want to hold the floor, are aware of the amount of talking they do, but are just unable to stop, and do not see it as a problem. This leads to irking and annoying some people when in a social situation, who then try to avoid the talkaholics at all costs. This can result in a person becoming a type of a social outcast, and lead to more anxiety.
· You could resort to compulsively cleaning the house, arranging things in order of size, or continually counting things in the cupboards – all in an effort to take your attention away from obsessive thoughts filling your mind.
These compulsions are intrusive and can very negatively impact on your daily life.
What treatments are recommended for compulsive behaviour?
Some doctors may prescribe anti-anxiety medications, as well as offer self-help advice which may help to ease the symptoms.
Unfortunately, the meds could have side effects which may aggravate matters, and some folk may be unable to put the self-help advice into practice, no matter how useful it may be.
After in-depth research, the Mayo Clinic has recommended that the best way to treat compulsive behaviour patterns, is by means of hypnotherapy, combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Hypnotherapy works with the subconscious mind by putting you in a relaxed state so that the therapist can access this part of the mind, and use positive suggestion techniques to change your negative ideas and mindset.
For many people, hypnotherapy can be enormously helpful for treating OCD and the related compulsive behaviour patterns.
How hypnotherapy works to help you.
Advanced hypnotherapy, combined with most up-to-date CBT techniques, can help you break any unwanted habits by retraining the conscious and subconscious parts of your mind to react differently to obsessive thoughts.
Here are some things you will learn during hypnotherapy sessions.
· How to anticipate compulsive urges before they arrive, and how to use powerful “thought stopping” techniques when obsessive thoughts threaten to overtake you.
· Create mental pictures when you lock up or switch off appliances, which you will be able to access if an urge comes to go back and check.
· How to shift your attention to something else if you are experiencing obsessive thoughts.
· Change anxious, stressful and negative thoughts into positive affirmations.
· Provide you with a powerful, effective way to eliminate unwanted thoughts and compulsive habits.
· Most importantly, you will learn how to renew your life, and gain control over your compulsive urges.
When you learn how to pass the small steps, there will be no limit to the tremendous improvements that can come into your life.
A useful tool.
Hypnotherapy cannot be guaranteed to work for everyone, as it depends on the individual, and the attitude towards the treatment. However, it is a safe and natural treatment, which has proved to be a useful tool to help combat mental health issues such as OCD and compulsive behaviours.