OCD and Identity

Outline

This is a short bite sized introduction to the issue of identity and belonging and how they impact on the ruminations and compulsions within Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is ideal for practitioners who work with clients who are refugees, migrants and those who made the U.K their home because of historical Commonwealth links.

OCD is a complex and particularly difficult condition for those who live with it, and anxiety, impacts on self-confidence and self-resilience and perceived threat and risk are all part of the condition. Within this, threat and risk and not ‘feeling rooted’ all add to a sense of hyper-alertness which affects the autonomic nervous system. Allied to this fears associated to cultural beliefs, such as ‘bad luck’ and ‘magical experiences’ may entwine themselves to ruminations and compulsions.

This session will explore the identity, belonging and cultural beliefs and how they may show up in OCD.

Aims of the workshop:

• To explore the interaction of identity, belonging and OCD.
• To explore the impacts on clients, and how these areas affect obsessions and compulsions.
• To assess how the trauma of dislocation and different cultural interpretations lead to hyper-alertness and ruminatory behaviour.

Who should attend this training

Therapists who work with clients who are refugees, who have a history of migration and those not born in the United Kingdom. This is also relevant for therapists who work with clients from African, Caribbean and South Asian countries.

Facilitators

Fiyaz Mughal

Venue

Online meeting via Zoom.

Zoom is free to download and use. For more information about Zoom click here.