Dr. Michael Dadson Discusses OCD

Mike Dadson, Clinical Counsellor: On Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Prominent Langley Clinical Counsellor, Dr. Michael (Mike) Dadson, Says Diagnosis, Treatment of OCD Helps Canadians Live More Rewarding Lives

Dr. Michael (Mike) Dadson is a Canadian Certified Clinical Counsellor practising at the Gentle Currents Therapy and Neurofeedback clinic in Langley, British Columbia.

Michael Dadson On Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Dr. Dadson treats and diagnoses for the purposes of treatment a wide range of mental health issues, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and anxiety disorders. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is considered an anxiety disorder and is fairly common, negatively affecting the daily lives of thousands of Canadians. Compulsive behaviour may not meet all the criteria of OCD but can still be problematic for people causing destructive behaviour such as addictions, risky sextual behaviours, gambling problems and financial hardship. People need to know that these challenges can be effectively treated by a competent well-trained therapist.

According to Mike Dadson: “OCD is one of the most difficult mental health issues that people can have. It is not only an inner state of mind, but it is associated with uncontrollable, repetitive actions that seriously detract from people’s quality of life.”

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) According to The American Psychiatric Association: “Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions).”

The most common categories of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are:

1. Obsession with Contamination | Compulsive Cleaning: o The most familiar example of this type of OCD is Howard Hughes, an “eccentric” tycoon who became legendary not only for his vast fortune, but for his abhorrence of germs. o This type of OCD is associated with people who become obsessed with an unreasonable fear of germs, poison, or toxins and engage in compulsive handwashing, disinfecting, and avoiding possible exposure.

2. Obsession with Symmetry / Perfection | Compulsive Organizing, Straightening, Counting: o Most of us have seen the memes on social media with OCD jokes based on one misaligned tile, a small, annoying speck, a painting hung just slightly crookedly. These are all examples of Perfection or Organization-related OCD. o While most people have a natural love of symmetry, an OCD sufferer will spend inordinate amounts of time and energy in the alignment of objects, and go as far as to count grains of rice.

3. Obsession with Doubt / Harm | Compulsive Checking: o People with this type of OCD have an overwhelming fear of making a mistake or causing some disaster and so are driven to compulsive checking. o An example of this type of OCD is people who compulsively check that the stove is off, or constantly worry that their door is not locked. They may unlock and re-lock the door a number of times before leaving their homes.

4. Obsession With “Forbidden” Thoughts | Compulsive Rituals, Prayers, Symbolic Actions o Many people with OCD are constantly disturbed by unwanted and sometimes immoral, “abhorrent” thoughts which they are unable to stop, causing them anxiety. o Symbolic, ritualistic, or religious actions may offer temporary relief from the anxiety, resulting in behaviours such as compulsive praying, mantras, or superstitious rituals.

According to HelpGuide: “Like a needle getting stuck on an old record, OCD causes the brain to get stuck on a particular thought or urge. For example, you may check the stove 20 times to make sure it’s really turned off because you’re terrified of burning down your house, or wash your hands until they’re scrubbed raw for fear of germs. While you don’t derive any sense of pleasure from performing these repetitive behaviors, they may offer some passing relief for the anxiety generated by the obsessive thoughts.”.

Mike Dadson recommends self-inventory for anyone wondering if they should seek treatment for OCD: “Many of us have mild, moderate and severe obsessions but these may not meet the full criteria of OCD. In order to know if you have a clinical case of OCD you need to seek out a certified, competent, well trained health care provider. If obsessive thoughts or behaviours have been complicating, hindering or harming your relationship with yourself and others, you will benefit from an honest, exhaustive selfinventory. Ask yourself: ‘Are my rituals and compulsions elaborate and involved? What is the content of my anxieties? How “sticky” are my recurring thoughts? Is this affecting my ability to attain my full potential in life?”

Clinical Counselling with Dr. Mike Dadson: In some ways, and for some people in Canada, life actually is becoming simpler. Many people are driving less, interacting with strangers less - in short, leaving their homes less.

For Canadians with OCD triggers such as locking doors or turning off the stove, their disorder may have become less of a problem due to Covid19 lockdowns, since restrictions have meant they are leaving their homes less often.

Others with different OCD triggers, such as fear of contamination and disease, daily life may have become more terrifying with the very real threat of a new virus impacting public health and taking lives. On the other hand, a trip to any local grocery store for most Canadians at this time involves many hygiene measures which, prior to 2020, would seem tailored to an OCD sufferer’s preferences.

Dr. Michael Dadson is committed to helping his OCD patients adapt to our “new normal,” as their challenges are specific to the condition and in many ways are unlike the (also very real) challenges faced by those who do not suffer with the condition.

Links for Further Reading APA Dictionary of Psychology

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https://dictionary.apa.org/obsessive-compulsive-disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

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https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptomscauses/syc-20354432 What Are the 4 Types of OCD? - MedCircle

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https://medcircle.com/articles/what-are-the-4-types-of-ocd/ NIMH » Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

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https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ocd/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

Gentle Currents Counselling and Neurofeedback is currently open for in-person clinical counselling and Neurotherapy treatments. Secure online counselling sessions are also available by appointment in case you prefer to stay at home.

Dr. Michael Dadson, Ph.D. Jeanette Dadson, Neurofeedback Therapist Gentle Currents Counselling and Neurofeedback Belmont Centre #109 20103 40th Avenue Langley BC, V3A 2W3 Click here for directions Call/Text: (778) 554-0174