Table of Contents

What is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that causes affected individuals to fixate on specific unwanted fears that are excessive and unrealistic. These symptoms significantly interfere with the individual’s quality of life and ability to engage in regular, daily tasks.

To meet the criteria for this diagnosis, the obsessions must last for at least one hour every day and cause distress as a result. Some affected individuals develop compulsions to help them regulate the distress from their obsessions.

What OCD is Not

There are several stereotypes regarding OCD. One of the most common stereotypes is that people with OCD are “neat freaks.” Simply being neat or organized does not mean one has an OCD. A tidy person simply likes to have a clean house, whereas a person with OCD and cleaning compulsions cleans in response to an intense fear or discomfort (for example, “If I don’t clean this four times, my family member will die”).

Another important misconception about OCD is that it always involves external compulsive actions. However, many of the compulsive symptoms are not noticeable to others because they are performed as internal thought processes.

Signs and Symptoms of OCD

OCD can involve both obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Obsessive thoughts of OCD are recurrent and persistent distressing thoughts or images that are very difficult to repress. These obsessions occur for at least one hour per day and are extremely difficult to ignore. People with OCD may recognize that these thoughts are unreasonable and typically involve a degree of judgment.

Compulsions, on the other hand, often stem from these obsessive thoughts. This can take the form of repetitive behaviors (such as handwashing) or mental acts (such as counting silently). Compulsions are deeply distressing and can negatively affect many areas of life including relationships, career trajectories, and overall engagement in life.

The combination of obsessions and compulsions can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Avoidance of certain triggers
  • Nightmares
  • Hoarding
  • Guilt and stress over compulsions
  • Panic attacks

Lifestance Health specializes in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder treatment with multiple locations in 33 states. Services and available treatments vary by location.

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What Causes OCD?

OCD has no single cause, but a variety of risk factors can make someone more susceptible. As with other mental health conditions, the risk of developing OCD involves both biological and environmental factors.

Genetic predisposition, trauma, differences in brain structure, and imbalances of chemical signalers in the brain can affect someone’s risk for developing OCD.

How is OCD Treated?

OCD is a complex disorder, and any treatment for OCD should be tailored specifically to a patient’s needs.

Comprehensive treatment for OCD may include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Group therapy sessions
  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
  • Medication

One or any combination of the above may be the best approach for a patient. ERP is a type of CBT and involves careful and systematic exposure to triggers done in tandem with talk therapy. An ERP patient might be asked to resist engaging in their compulsion in ways that gradually become more challenging.

Talk therapy alone is not always successful with OCD. Some patients may also need the help of a psychiatric clinician, who can prescribe medication.

Medications commonly used to treat OCD include:

  • Fluoxetine (Prozac®)
  • Clomipramine (Anafranil®)
  • Fluvoxamine (Luvox®)
  • Paroxetine (Paxil®, Pexeva®)
  • Sertraline (Zoloft®)
  • For severe symptoms that are not responding to typical treatment, neuroleptic medications may be helpful

Find OCD Treatment at LifeStance Health

LifeStance Health offers comprehensive and tailored treatment plans for people with OCD. With both in-person and virtual OCD treatment options, patients can conveniently access the care they need.

Telehealth involves accessing your session via teleconferencing on the internet. To attend a LifeStance Health telehealth session, all that a patient needs is a secure and reliable internet connection, a device that connects to the internet, and a private space. The LifeStance Health therapist or psychiatric clinician will be the only person on the other end, to help ensure security and privacy.

If you are interested in exploring options for OCD treatment, we invite you to contact us today. If you are considering telehealth, we will be happy to walk you through the details of this effective alternative to in-office treatment.

Citations:

Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCSSC). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php . Data Table 2: 12-month prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.

Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCSSC). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php . Data Table 1: Lifetime prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.

Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27. PMID: 15939839

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd