Most of us exist moment to moment without conscious awareness of our automatic bodily sensations. Things like digestion, swallowing, blinking, breathing, the feeling of our foot in our shoe, or the sensation of skin on our bodies remain outside of our awareness. Folks struggling with Somatic OCD (or Sensorimotor OCD), however, have a significant hyperfocus on one or more bodily sensations. Somatic OCD can convince someone that they will never be able to not focus on the physical sensation leading to significant distress. They may have a crippling fear that they will forget how to perform these automatic functions altogether or fear that they must remain focused on these sensations to keep their body working normally.
Sometimes Somatic OCD develops during or after a minor or major medical event in which a very real physical issue was present, and it is important to have health concerns evaluated by a medical professional. However, it is important to evaluate if any ongoing checking or monitoring behaviors have created an OCD anxiety cycle.
For example, an OCD obsession may look like growing concerns about how many times you chew a bite of food coupled with fears about “incorrect” swallowing that may lead to choking. If you have Somatic OCD, you may become hyperfixated on the feeling of chewing and swallowing and distressed by the ability to turn your attention away from these sensations. In an attempt to neutralize these fears, you might chew an exact amount of times before swallowing each bite and conjure a specific mental image while swallowing to “prevent” choking. You may begin withdrawing or refuse to eat with others for fear of your obsessions and compulsions being observed or disrupted. Your food choices may become increasingly limited due to fears about swallowing difficulties or choking.
While Somatic OCD can be distressing and exhausting, it is treatable. Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP), medication, Mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are proven approaches to reduce Somatic OCD symptoms.
If you or a loved one may be suffering from Somatic or Sensorimotor OCD or another form of OCD, reach out to us for a free consultation call here, or learn more about our offerings here.