On this page, we will provide you with an OCD exposure therapy worksheet that will help you face OCD triggers.
What is the OCD Exposure therapy worksheet about?
Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder characterized by obsessions (unwanted thoughts and ideas that cause extreme distress) and compulsions (repetitive behaviours that relieve anxiety) that interfere with several areas of life including school, work, relationships, and general functioning. Persons with OCD can experience one or both symptoms of OCD, that is Obsessions such as fear of germs and compulsions such as excessive cleaning. Some common types of OCD centre around cleanliness and fear of contamination, a need for order and perception and collecting and hoarding. One of the most common methods of treating OCD is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy works by exposing an individual to an OCD trigger (activating event) and allowing their anxiety to dissipate gradually as they get used to the situation. Exposure therapy uses an exposure hierarchy, meaning that the patient works their way up from the least threatening to the most threatening triggers.
How will the OCD Exposure therapy worksheet help?
The OCD exposure therapy worksheet will help OCD patients work on their fears systematically, beginning with the least provoking situation to the most threatening situations. The use of the exposure therapy worksheet will consequently help patients cope with OCD triggers without reacting to them.
Instruction on how to use the OCD Exposure therapy worksheet
To use this worksheet, begin by making a hierarchy of triggers (activities, things or situations that can activate your OCD obsessions and compulsions)
For safety purposes, expose yourself to the triggers beginning with the least threatening triggers and record what you have learned about OCD thoughts after the exposure exercise.
You can download this worksheet here.
Conclusion
On this page, we provided you with an OCD exposure therapy worksheet that we hope helped you learn how to cope with OCD symptoms.
If you have any questions or comments, please let us know.