EMDR for OCD: Can It Help Intrusive Thoughts

Intrusive thoughts can feel frightening and exhausting. Many people with OCD feel trapped in cycles of fear, checking, and reassurance seeking. Often, the thoughts feel so real that it becomes difficult to feel calm or to trust yourself.

EMDR for OCD is increasingly being explored as part of trauma-informed support, especially when intrusive thoughts and anxiety are connected to previous distressing experiences.

• EMDR may reduce distress linked to intrusive thoughts.

• Intrusive thoughts are common and do not reflect who you are.

• OCD often involves a heightened threat response, with the brain repeatedly signalling danger even when there is little or no actual risk.

• Online OCD therapy UK sessions can provide accessible support.

For a more detailed overview on EMDR Therapy, please have a read of my EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing blog.

Why Do Intrusive Thoughts Feel So Real?

We all get intrusive thoughts, they are normal. Intrusive thoughts are thoughts we do not choose to have, they just intrude into our mind. Some people are able to ignore them and accept they are part of being human. But for others, they can feel very upsetting and confusing because they conflict with our core values, morals and self image. 

When thoughts are accompanied by strong emotions, they can feel more real or significant because the emotion adds to the sense of threat. When we are highly anxious, it can become harder to think clearly and objectively, as our attention is focused on detecting and responding to potential danger.

In OCD, when intrusive thoughts trigger strong feelings of anxiety, guilt, disgust, or responsibility, the thoughts can seem more believable or important. The emotional response can create a sense of urgency, making it harder to step back and evaluate the thought objectively.

How we respond to thoughts can depend on the nature of the thoughts. It may be that people judge themselves as being bad for thinking certain kinds of thoughts which creates anxiety and distress. Or if the intrusive thoughts are around harm coming to themselves or others they might feel a strong sense of responsibility for preventing the harm and then feel the need to engage in compulsive behaviours to ‘neutralise’ the thoughts in some way. 

OCD is a vicious cycle of unwanted distressing intrusive thoughts which trigger anxiety. In order to cope or get rid of the anxiety, people engage in compulsions. These compulsions might ease the anxiety in the short term, but it always comes back and so the cycle begins again. It can be incredibly debilitating and time consuming with people engaging in compulsions for hours throughout the day.

People feel compelled to engage in the behaviours due to a belief that something bad will happen to themselves or others if they don’t. 

You can learn more through the NHS OCD overview.

How EMDR for OCD Works

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a well researched, evidence based therapy that helps with reprocessing trauma and emotionally stuck memories. EMDR is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and is recommended within the NICE PTSD guidelines (NG116) as an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

EMDR may be helpful for some people with OCD when traumatic experiences appear to contribute to the development or maintenance of their symptoms. In addition, some people experience OCD itself as highly distressing or traumatic, and EMDR may help to process these experiences when they continue to have an emotional impact.

EMDR can be helpful at processing the emotional disturbance that accompanies intrusive thoughts, so that the intrusive thoughts become less distressing. 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, (NICE, UK), recommends CBT including Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) for the treatment of OCD. ERP can be used alongside EMDR for OCD. 

Although the research base for EMDR for OCD is smaller than that for CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), studies to date suggest that EMDR may be a helpful treatment option for some people with OCD, particularly where trauma-related experiences are relevant to their difficulties.

CBT and ERP remain important evidence based OCD therapy approaches. You can read more through the NICE OCD guidelines.

FAQs

Can EMDR therapy help with OCD?

EMDR may help with OCD, particularly when intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviours are linked to distressing or traumatic experiences. It can help reduce the emotional intensity connected to triggers and anxiety.

Can EMDR stop intrusive thoughts?

Intrusive thoughts are a normal part of being human, but for some people they can become very distressing and difficult to let go of. EMDR may help these thoughts feel less overwhelming and easier to manage.

Why do intrusive thoughts feel so real?

Intrusive thoughts can trigger the brain’s threat system, causing the nervous system to react as though danger is present, even when the thoughts are unwanted. This is an understandable survival response, not a reflection of who you are.

If you are looking for an EMDR therapist to help with OCD, intrusive thoughts or anxiety, please feel free to get in touch. We can discuss what you are experiencing and whether EMDR might be an appropriate approach for you.