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Why do I feel the need to do some certain things the same way? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: Why do I feel the need to do some certain things the same way?
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: So we're gonna call these rituals.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_00: Rituals are defined as repeated action or a series of actions performed in a fixed way, regardless of whether the action has any practical effect on the outcome.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: Most rituals are created to reduce anxiety and eliminate the possibility of catastrophe.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: So ritualistic behaviours are typically associated with conditions like OCD, otherwise known as obsessive compulsive disorder, or autistic spectrum disorder, ASD.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: Rituals are different to habits.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: Habits are a subconscious pattern usually, but rituals are a conscious act with a significant purpose.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: If we look at OCD and how rituals can look in this and why we do them, we can look at hand washing, for example.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_00: So some individuals will wash their hands excessively to avoid contamination and to eliminate or reduce the fear of contracting an illness.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: And ultimately, as we all have a fear of death, dying.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_00: So checking is another form of ritual.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: Checking rituals have a purpose to avoid catastrophes happening usually.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_00: So an individual may have a certain order that they check the plugs, the switches, the doors, the locks before they leave the house.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: And this can take a while as well, too, especially if they're you know each action is performed five, six times.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: It can present a real problem.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes rituals performed are not directly linked to the fear driving the rituals.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: For example, someone can have a worry about losing a loved one, a loved one dying, or something bad happening, and then they're compelled to avoid this happening, they dress and undress, and you can really they can get in a cycle of that, so they spend half an hour battling with this fearful thought, you know, doing an action that's very exhausting, that takes a lot of time.
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_00: There is no logical link between the fear and the actual ritual being performed.
• 2:22
  SPEAKER_00: So another type of ritualistic behaviour is ordering.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: An individual might find comfort and control in arranging objects in a certain way.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: If the objects are moved, then you can they may experience discomfort or real anxiety and frustration.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Hoarding is something that we don't usually link with ritualistic behaviour, but it is.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: In some cases, you may get individuals bringing back the most smallest, oldest, useless things back to the house with that thought of I might need this someday, I want to be prepared until their houses become full of accumulated objects resulting from that very thought.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: So if you want to analyze your own ritualistic behaviours, if they're present, or suspect that some of the things that you're doing could be and they're detrimental to your day, then it's worth writing down what you do, the action, how many times you do it, when you're doing it, and what is the purpose driving that ritual, what are the thoughts behind it.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: If the ritual is affecting your schedule, your relationships, or your physical health, if you have any concerns at all, please speak to a professional, a counsellor, or your GP.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_00: There are many good resources available online, and I hope that the above information or the information I've given you today give you a good starting point to decide if you would like to seek support and talk to someone about your own repeated behaviours.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_00: So please take care and thank you for listening.