OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affects people of all ages, creating a cycle of unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that take over their lives. Children, teens, and adults struggling with OCD can expect compassionate, patient-centered psychiatric care from Insight Psychiatry. 

What is OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that causes recurring unwanted thoughts or feelings (obsessions) that lead to the uncontrollable need to engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) to relieve the distress caused by the obsession.

OCD symptoms fall into two categories: obsessions and compulsions. 

|OBSESSIONS|

Obsessions are distressing thoughts, images, or feelings that repeat over and over again and feel out of your control. The thoughts are all-consuming and get in the way of your normal activities. They are typically "egodystonic" which means that the individual dislikes that they have these thoughts and, at times, can realize that they are irrational. However, a distressing thought that is egodystonic can still be instrusive.  Many people experience intrusive thoughts that cause distress. However, with OCD, the intrusive thoughts cause extreme anxiety that consumes hours of time. 

|COMPULSIONS|

Compulsions are the repetitive behaviors or mental acts you engage in to neutralize the obsession. Washing and cleaning, checking and rechecking, and counting are examples of compulsions. 

When should I get help for OCD?

You should get help for OCD if your obsessions and repetitive behaviors are interfering with your daily life. Insight Psychiatry takes a patient-centered and collaborative approach to care and can help develop a treatment plan that fits your needs and symptoms. 

What are the treatments for OCD?

Insight Psychiatry may recommend a combination of psychotherapy and medication management for your OCD.

|PSYCHOTHERAPY|

The team customizes your psychotherapy to match your concerns and goals. They use therapeutic techniques that help decrease the distress related to your obsession and the need to engage in repetitive acts to neutralize your anxiety.

|MEDICATION|

Your provider may prescribe serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to reduce your OCD symptoms. These have been proven to lessen OCD symptoms. SSRIs haven't worked in the past? Don't worry- Insight Psychiatry will go over other medication options for you that can help alleviate your symptoms of OCD. However, when treating OCD, medication is more effective in conjunction with psychotherapy. 

Schedule your OCD consultation online today.