Staring OCD or Visual Tourettic OCD (VTO)
by Katherine Pica LCSW
I can't stop staring at people OCD, and how to get connected with an OCD therapist in San Diego who can understand and help.
Is Staring OCD or VTO really a type of OCD?
YES!!! It absolutely is a type of OCD. Most people are more familiar with OCD when it comes to contamination OCD where people struggle with the fear of contamination or germs. Or symmetry OCD - needing things to be arranged in a certain order. Staring OCD is when you feel out of control and unable to stop staring or looking at other people. The fear can often be that “people will notice me” “people will think I am weird or a creep.” “I don’t want to make people uncomfortable.” Sometimes the fear could be “I will always do this and therefore I am going to go crazy.” While there is less known about VTO we do know a lot about how to treat OCD! VTO is absolutely treatable!
What is Visual Tourettic OCD (VTO) or staring OCD ?
Staring at the breasts or staring at the genitals of another person. For those that are suffering with this it does not feel voluntary, or within one's control. More revealing clothing can be a big trigger. Often it is described as “I just can't stop looking, and I get very worried that people notice.” This also does not always have to be in relation to someone's genitals. It also can come in the form of the vision being pulled to someone's disability or someone's scars ect.
Why is it called VTO?
There have been many different names for this form of OCD for example: Staring OCD, Compulsive staring OCD, Ocular Tourettic OCD, I can't stop staring at people OCD. Visual Tourettic OCD has been more favored because it compares to Tourette’s to explain the involuntary nature to it. Just like someone with Tourette’s where they could shout things out of their control or have movements out of their control; the staring feels like it is out of one's control. It feels like the staring cannot be stopped no matter how much you do want to stop it.
What about the person who is actually trying to stare at others?
This is not likely OCD. If you are purposely trying to stare at others then there is not anxiety or distress that comes from it. VTO’s distress most often comes from the staring and feeling out of control. You may be worried about others finding out that you are staring . Worried about loosing your job if you stare and others think poorly of you. Worried that others will think you are coming on to them.
Why can't I stop staring?
“Others are going to notice and see that I am staring and then think I am weird or a creep.” You may be very worried and embarrassed by this. A lot of the difficulty around VTO is fearing what others will think. Social anxiety really plays into this form of OCD. The fear that others will notice the staring is a big driving factor. OCD often targets things we value in life. This form of OCD targets a social element and fearing what others will think of us. VTO can lead many to feel ashamed or embarrassed by this. Often there can be compulsions that try to overcorrect the behavior like not looking directly at people when talking with them or staring intensely to the side of someone.
What Causes VTO?
While research has not figured out exactly the causes of of OCD. It is generally thought to be a mixture of several things. Environmental factors, Biological factors and psychological factors or learned behaviors. Even though we may not yet know what exactly causes OCD we DO know how to properly treat OCD. Research has shown us that we actually have great treatment that can be successful in treating OCD.
What is VTO OCD therapy like?
OCD and all of it’s different forms CAN be treated! The most effective form of therapy is a type of Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT) called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP has been shown to be the most effective and is the gold standard when it comes to treatment of OCD. ERP works by putting people in situations where they are exposed to situations , thoughts , images and objects that will spark their obsessions. ERP helps us learn to accept the obsessions and then work to reduce the compulsions. And while ERP can be challenging, continuing to suffer from OCD is far more challenging! Think of all the time wasted to the anxiety and rituals that OCD demands of you. Living a life with OCD is very difficult OCD and there is help out there to make the changes.
How can I find an OCD therapist?
It can be very hard too to find someone who understands VTO and what you are going through. It can even be hard to find an OCD therapists that understands and knows what you are going through. This subtype of OCD is not as well known but still is valid and does deserve treatment just like other forms of OCD. It is important to seek help from an OCD therapist. When working with an OCD therapist you will get help with tools and skills on how to mange OCD.
How can I find an OCD therapist in San Diego, California?
OCD treatment is available and fortunately VTO is treatable. We are specialized OCD therapist and I am trained in Exposure and response prevention. We have successfully worked with people who have struggled with VTO OCD and are confident we have the skills to help you as well. We are OCD therapists who serve the greater San Diego area and online for clients in the state of California. If you are looking for out of state resources can check out the International OCD Foundation. They have tons of great resources and a list of local OCD therapists that are in your area. If you are in California contact us to set up a free 15 minute phone call. There is so more hope contact us to get started today!
