OCD

About one in 40 adults develops obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during their lifetime. If you struggle with intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors, see the experts at Cecilia Medical Center in Ellicott City, Maryland. Their expert team diagnoses and treats OCD to provide symptom relief. Schedule an in-person or virtual evaluation by calling the office or booking an appointment online today. 

What is OCD?

OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental health disorder. It’s characterized by obsessions (unwanted thoughts, urges, or images) and compulsions (repetitive behavior patterns) that may negatively affect your lifestyle. Left untreated, OCD could impact your grades at school, job performance, relationships, and overall mental health. 

People with OCD may understand their symptoms are problematic, but can’t eliminate them without ongoing support. 

Which symptoms can OCD cause?

OCD can cause the following symptoms:

• Fear of bad things happening
• Fear of dirt or germs
• Thoughts of hurting others or yourself
• Fear of making mistakes
• Doubting a partner’s love
• Urge for neatness, symmetry, and orderliness
• Arranging canned goods facing the same way
• Undesirable sexual thoughts
• Focus on breathing or heart rate
• Continuously counting
• Always checking for locked doors
• Needing reassurance
• Desire for a strict routine
• Repetitive behavior patterns
• Excessive house cleaning or hand washing
• Mental rituals
• Avoiding doorknobs and shaking hands
• Repeating phrases and words in your head

The type and severity of OCD symptoms vary from person to person. 

What are the risk factors for OCD?

Factors that could increase the risk of OCD include:

• Learned behaviors from family or friends
• Neglect
• Abuse
• Stress
• Brain changes
• Other mental health disorders
• Detail-oriented personality 
• Family history of OCD

Having substance use disorder (SUD), tic disorders, depression, or an anxiety disorder may increase OCD risk. It’s common for OCD diagnoses to occur during teenage or young adult years.

How is OCD diagnosed?

The Cecilia Medical Center team completes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to learn more about your symptoms, their severity, and other mental health conditions you might have. They evaluate your emotions, thoughts, behaviors, moods, and lifestyle using DSM-5 criteria. Your Cecilia Medical Center provider then tailors a treatment offering lasting outcomes.

How is OCD treated?

Your custom OCD treatment may consist of:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
• Psychoeducation
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Other therapies
• Medication management
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) referrals
• Lifestyle counseling

OCD treatment at Cecilia Medical Center can help ease symptoms, restore quality of life, and help you thrive. Your mental health specialist might meet with you weekly or as needed to ensure lasting success and treat any other mental health concerns. 

Schedule an in-person or telehealth OCD evaluation at Cecilia Medical Center by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.