Checking & Counting OCD Treatment & Support in Singapore | OCD.sg

Understanding Checking and Counting OCD

Do you find yourself repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or switches? Or perhaps you’re compelled to count objects, repeat actions a specific number of times, or engage in other repetitive mental rituals? These behaviours are common manifestations of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), specifically known as Checking and Counting OCD. This form of OCD involves persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that trigger repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a dreaded event. If you’re experiencing these challenging patterns and seeking specialised Checking and Counting OCD treatment in Singapore, understanding this condition is your crucial first step towards regaining control and peace of mind.

What is Checking and Counting OCD?

While many people double-check things occasionally, for someone with Checking and Counting OCD, these actions become excessive, time-consuming, and severely disruptive to daily life.

Common characteristics include:

Compulsive Checking: This involves repeatedly verifying things like doors are locked, stoves are off, or documents are accurate. The fear often stems from causing harm, being responsible for a catastrophe, or making a terrible mistake. The checking is rarely satisfying and often leads to more anxiety.
Compulsive Counting: This compulsion involves repeating actions or counting objects, often in patterns (e.g., counting steps, numbers, or items) or until a “right” or “safe” number is achieved. It can be triggered by a belief that specific numbers have magical powers or that certain actions must be performed a precise number of times to prevent bad things from happening.

These compulsions are not pleasurable; rather, they are performed to neutralise an obsession or to feel “just right,” even if logic dictates otherwise.

The Impact of Compulsive Checking and Counting

Living with compulsive checking and counting can be incredibly draining. The constant need to perform rituals consumes significant time, often causing individuals to be late for work or appointments, or even preventing them from leaving their homes. This type of OCD can lead to:

Severe Time Loss: Hours can be spent on rituals, impacting productivity and leisure.
Social Isolation: The embarrassment and secrecy surrounding rituals can lead to withdrawing from social activities.
Relationship Strain: Family members may struggle to understand or cope with the demands of the rituals.
Emotional Distress: Constant anxiety, frustration, and feelings of helplessness are common.
Work and Academic Impairment: Difficulty concentrating and completing tasks due to intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

Recognising the profound impact of these behaviours is key to seeking effective treatment for Checking and Counting OCD.

Our Approach to Checking and Counting OCD Treatment in Singapore

At OCD.sg, we understand the specific nuances of Checking and Counting OCD and offer evidence-based treatment tailored to help you break free from these debilitating cycles. Our approach focuses on empowering you with strategies to manage your thoughts and behaviours effectively.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

The cornerstone of effective treatment for Checking and Counting OCD is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), particularly with a focus on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Our therapists guide you through:

Understanding Your OCD: Identifying the specific obsessions and compulsions, and understanding the cycle of anxiety and ritual.
Exposure: Gradually exposing you to situations that trigger your checking or counting urges (e.g., leaving the stove without double-checking).
Response Prevention: Learning to resist the urge to perform the compulsion (e.g., not checking, not counting). This helps you learn that the feared outcome doesn’t occur, or that you can tolerate the anxiety until it naturally subsides.
Cognitive Restructuring: Challenging the irrational thoughts and beliefs that fuel your compulsions (e.g., “If I don’t count to 10, something bad will happen”).

Medication and Integrated Care

While ERP is highly effective, medication, typically antidepressants (SSRIs), may be considered in conjunction with therapy, especially for more severe cases or when co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression are present. For this, we collaborate closely with our trusted partner psychiatrists to ensure you receive integrated and comprehensive care. Our holistic approach often includes involving family members in the therapy process to build a strong support system and provide education.

Taking the First Step Towards Freedom

Breaking free from the grip of Checking and Counting OCD is challenging, but it is absolutely achievable with the right support. Our compassionate and experienced mental health professionals in Singapore are here to guide you every step of the way. We aim to help you reduce your compulsions, manage your anxiety, and reclaim the time and mental energy currently consumed by OCD.

For more general information on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, you may find valuable insights on the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) website in Singapore.

If you are dealing with other forms of OCD, our pages on Hoarding Disorder Treatment or Washing & Contamination OCD might also be helpful.

Ready to Find Relief from Checking and Counting OCD?

If you or a loved one is struggling with Checking and Counting OCD in Singapore, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are committed to providing the expert care you need to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and begin your path towards lasting relief.

Do you find yourself repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or switches? Or perhaps you’re compelled to count objects, repeat actions a specific number of times, or engage in other repetitive mental rituals? These behaviors are common manifestations of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), specifically known as Checking and Counting OCD. This form of OCD involves persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that trigger repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety or prevent a dreaded event. If you’re experiencing these challenging patterns and seeking specialized Checking and Counting OCD treatment in Singapore, understanding this condition is your crucial first step towards regaining control and peace of mind.

What is Checking and Counting OCD?

While many people double-check things occasionally, for someone with Checking and Counting OCD, these actions become excessive, time-consuming, and severely disruptive to daily life.

Common characteristics include:

Compulsive Checking: This involves repeatedly verifying things like doors are locked, stoves are off, or documents are accurate. The fear often stems from causing harm, being responsible for a catastrophe, or making a terrible mistake. The checking is rarely satisfying and often leads to more anxiety.
Compulsive Counting: This compulsion involves repeating actions or counting objects, often in patterns (e.g., counting steps, numbers, or items) or until a “right” or “safe” number is achieved. It can be triggered by a belief that specific numbers have magical powers or that certain actions must be performed a precise number of times to prevent bad things from happening.

These compulsions are not pleasurable; rather, they are performed to neutralize an obsession or to feel “just right,” even if logic dictates otherwise.

The Impact of Compulsive Checking and Counting

Severe Time Loss: Hours can be spent on rituals, impacting productivity and leisure.
Social Isolation: The embarrassment and secrecy surrounding rituals can lead to withdrawing from social activities.
Relationship Strain: Family members may struggle to understand or cope with the demands of the rituals.
Emotional Distress: Constant anxiety, frustration, and feelings of helplessness are common.
Work and Academic Impairment: Difficulty concentrating and completing tasks due to intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

Recognizing the profound impact of these behaviors is key to seeking effective treatment for Checking and Counting OCD.

Our Approach to Checking and Counting OCD Treatment in Singapore

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

The cornerstone of effective treatment for Checking and Counting OCD is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), particularly with a focus on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Our therapists guide you through:

Understanding Your OCD: Identifying the specific obsessions and compulsions, and understanding the cycle of anxiety and ritual.
Exposure: Gradually exposing you to situations that trigger your checking or counting urges (e.g., leaving the stove without double-checking).
Response Prevention: Learning to resist the urge to perform the compulsion (e.g., not checking, not counting). This helps you learn that the feared outcome doesn’t occur, or that you can tolerate the anxiety until it naturally subsides.
Cognitive Restructuring: Challenging the irrational thoughts and beliefs that fuel your compulsions (e.g., “If I don’t count to 10, something bad will happen”).

Medication and Integrated Care

Taking the First Step Towards Freedom

For more general information on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, you may find valuable insights on the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) website in Singapore.

If you are dealing with other forms of OCD, our pages on Hoarding Disorder Treatment or Washing & Contamination OCD might also be helpful.

Ready to Find Relief from Checking and Counting OCD?

Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and begin your path toward lasting relief.

Some checking is cued by specific scenarios, such as when the person leaves their house, while in other cases it happens as a result of random thoughts that just pop into the mind, which are considered dangerous. People with these types of obsessions, may believe that if they think of a bad event, it becomes more likely to happen. Counting rituals is often a compulsion with many suffering from OCD. This is also closely related to feeling that everything needs to be symmetrical, counting a certain number of times until it feels right, or the inability to walk through a door threshold until it feels safe to do so.