Musical Obsessions
Many of us at times struggle with having a song stuck in our head. The experience itself is quite common but can be intrusive in nature. The phenomenon has been often labelled as an earworm (Hyman 2013). Research within the area offers insight that songs that are simple and repetitive in nature can influence a song to be more intrusive. Certain individual characteristics, such as musical training, neuroticism and obsessive compulsive disorder may further contribute to the songs intrusiveness.
Musical obsessions or intrusive musical imagery consist of involuntarily recalled fragments of melodies that are distressing and impairing (similar to an earworm). Many individuals who struggle with this OCD subtype describe the intrusive experience as persistent music running through their mind. Musical obsessions have been characterized in the research as a tune that is repeatedly comes to mind without consciously trying to recall it (Taylor et al 2014). There is no neurological pathology that influences the onset or course of symptoms. Musical Obsessions are not limited to ‘catchy’ fragments of songs, but can also include any part of a song. Intrusive repetitions can last from minutes to hours which can wax and wane throughout the day. They can also be one particular tune that may persist for days or weeks at a time. There is research that suggests that intrusive songs primarily occur with songs that are disliked (Hyman et al 2013).
Taylor S, McKay D, Miguel EC, et al. Musical obsessions: A comprehensive review of neglected clinical phenomena. J Anxiety Disord. 2014;28:580–89.
Hyman, I. E., Burland, N. K., Duskin, H. M., Cook, M. C., Roy, C. M., McGrath, J. C., & Roundhill, R. F. (2013). Going gaga: Investigating, creating, and manipulating the song stuck in my head. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 27(2), 204–215.
Why are we different?
We don’t work alone. What does this mean? We consult your case with other healthcare providers (with your permission of course). This means we take the extra steps to ask other psychologists what they think is best for you and your unique case.
We inform your medical doctor about our work together.
We work with your allied healthcare professionals.
We consult regularly.
Reviews
A type of care that I haven’t seen before.
“The clinic offers a type of care that I haven’t seen before. It goes above an beyond to make sure that there is a community of care working with the individual”
— J.A. - Student
Attention to detail!
“I have worked with many individuals, but the type of overlook I have received has helped me see success. The attention to detail is incredible. ”
— L.K.- Supervisee
Work with them, they’ll work with you.
“The clinic carefully chooses who they can accept through careful screening. I appreciate this, because this helps many people save time and money. I’m a big believer that this type of work requires a commitment from everybody. If you work with them, they’ll work with you”
— J.Y. - Supervisee
Your healing journey awaits.
Find out how our Vaughan clinic can help you see success with your Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety Disorder challenges. We want to help and we will go above and beyond to make sure that you are well cared for. Try something different for a change.
OCD Symptoms
Treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) requires a very precise skillset. A trained therapist must fully understand the nature of its symptoms and how they can be carefully managed. OCD is typically understood as a condition in which people experience difficulties with recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions. The obsession component of OCD is defined as having repetitive thoughts, images or even impulses. These thoughts are considered intrusive at times and are usually unwanted and inappropriate. The compulsion component is defined as a repetitive behaviour that the individual feels like they need to perform in an effort to reduce the anxiety created by the unwanted thoughts they have.
The obsessional symptoms that occur in OCD are not simply exaggerated concerns about real-life situations. They are also not directly connected to common life problems such as relationships, academic/work difficulties, or finances. Actually, people with OCD who have intrusive thoughts are more disturbed about the fact that their thoughts are excessive and irrational or even inappropriate. OCD compulsions occur in various forms. This could look like repetitive compulsive behaviours (washing your hands repeatedly), assurance seeking from others and avoidance of certain situations.
Many people with OCD and anxiety disorders often carry an immense amount of shame, which often leads them to hide their symptoms from others. Symptoms can be extremely time consuming and can take many hours a day. This could lead to severe distress that can significantly interfere with a person’s daily life.
Fortunately, there has been much research on OCD in the past two decades. Physicians, Psychologists and Psychotherapists have a much greater understanding on how to provide support for patients who experience difficulties from OCD.
What we know about OCD is that some people experience the unwanted thoughts without the compulsions. This has been known to be called ‘pure OCD.’
One characteristic salient to the condition is the process by which the symptoms intensify. Initially, the person with OCD will act on the compulsive behaviour. This in term will reduce their anxiety. Unfortunately, this only continues to keep the behaviour going and worsens the condition long-term. This also leads to an increase in compulsions. The individual in this process, becomes sensitized to specific thoughts and they begin to learn that these behaviours are indeed ok, when in fact they are further debilitating.
Treatment has come a long way when it comes to providing support for those with OCD and anxiety symptoms. Advances in cognitive behavioural therapy, exposure and response prevention or exposure therapy, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy have helped many people manage their symptoms.