OCD Treatment Phoenix, AZ
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can leave people feeling on edge in even the most mundane moments. Without the proper treatment, performing everyday activities can feel like a struggle. We aim to provide personalized OCD treatment for each of our patients and their unique needs. Our clinic provides services for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. We have specialized clinicians experienced in working with each age group.
OCD treatment is available at Push Wellness Health in Phoenix and to patients in the surrounding area. Do not hesitate to find relief for your symptoms. Call us today at (480) 739-6765 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Understanding OCD
OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a mental health disorder that can affect patients of all ages and lifestyles. As the name suggests, the disorder consists of repetitive obsessions and compulsions. According to the International OCD Foundation, obsessions are "unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings." People with OCD partake in compulsions to purge their obsessions and decrease their distress. For example, people who have an obsessive fear of being contaminated by germs may compulsively wash their hands.
While most people experience obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors at some point during their lifetimes, that does not mean everyone has "a little bit of OCD." Instead, a licensed mental health professional should diagnose the disorder when the cycle of obsessions and compulsions exceeds the patient's ability to manage it.
“As the name suggests, the disorder consists of repetitive obsessions and compulsions.”
Symptoms of OCD
Though most patients with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions, it is possible to have only obsessions or only compulsions. For many patients, their obsessions and compulsions have become so normalized that they do not realize they are excessive or unreasonable. In reality, these issues take on a great deal of time and interfere with activities of daily living, along with social, school, or work functioning.
Obsessions
Obsessions in OCD are intrusive, distressing, repetitive, persistent, and unwanted images, thoughts, or urges. Patients may try to ignore obsessions or purge them by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual. Still, OCD obsessions are likely to intrude when the patient tries to think of or do other things.
Common obsessions include fear of contamination or dirt, needing things orderly and symmetrical, doubting and having difficulty tolerating uncertainty, aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control, and harming oneself or others.
Compulsions
OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors or thoughts a patient feels compelled to perform. In either case, the compulsions are meant to reduce obsession-related anxiety and prevent something bad from happening. There is no pleasure in performing these compulsions. Any relief they get from anxiety is only temporary. Some patients may make up rules or rituals to follow to help control their anxiety when not having obsessive thoughts.
Many of these excessive compulsions have no real connection to the problem they are supposed to solve. Common themes of compulsions include:
- Washing and cleaning
- Counting things often
- Needing things in a specific order
- Checking something repeatedly
- Following a strict routine
- Demanding reassurance
Early-Occurring Symptoms
OCD can start in childhood, but it usually begins in the teen or young adult years. Symptoms will appear gradually and tend to vary in severity throughout life. Patients may also experience different types of obsessions and compulsions over time. In some cases, symptoms typically worsen when experiencing greater stress.
Usually considered a lifelong disorder, OCD may have mild to moderate or severe, disabling symptoms. In any case, patients should seek professional mental health care if their obsessions or compulsions affect their quality of life.
“Though most patients with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions, it is possible to have only obsessions or only compulsions.”
Diagnosing OCD
Several steps may be involved in diagnosing OCD, including an evaluation using diagnostic criteria for OCD and a physical exam. The evaluation consists of discussing any thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and behavior patterns the patient may have to determine if they are dealing with obsessions or compulsive behaviors interfering with their quality of life. Some patients may also give the provider permission to talk to their family or friends about such behaviors.
Furthermore, the evaluation will likely use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. Finally, a physical exam may be necessary to rule out any other problems causing the symptoms or check for any related complications.
Diagnosing OCD can sometimes be difficult as the symptoms can be similar to several other mental health conditions. These include anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders. It is also possible to simultaneously have OCD and one or more mental health disorders. Patients must work with their doctors to make sure they get the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
“Several steps may be involved in diagnosing OCD, including an evaluation using diagnostic criteria for OCD and a physical exam.”
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Types of OCD Treatment
Though OCD treatment may not result in a cure, it can help control symptoms, so they no longer rule one's daily life. The type of treatment one needs depends on how severe the symptoms are. Psychotherapy and medications are the most common types of treatment for OCD, with a combination of the two often being the most effective.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy commonly used for persons with OCD. One component of CBT is known as exposure and response prevention (ERP). ERP involves gradually exposing the patient to a feared object or obsession. The therapist will then help the patient learn healthy ways to resist the urge to perform their compulsive rituals.
Certain medications can help control OCD obsessions and compulsions. In most cases, patients are prescribed antidepressants first. Common antidepressants include clomipramine (Anafranil), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft). Other antidepressants and medications may also help. When choosing a medication, there are several factors to consider, including side effects and drug interactions. A doctor can help discuss these factors in detail with each patient.
At times, psychotherapy and medications are not sufficient to control OCD symptoms. In such cases, the patient and their doctor may need to explore other options. For example, people with treatment-resistant cases may want to consider intensive outpatient and residential treatment programs, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
“Though OCD treatment may not result in a cure, it can help control symptoms, so they no longer rule one’s daily life.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is OCD?
Q. What are some symptoms of OCD?
Q. What are the different types of OCD treatment?
Q. What are some of the benefits of OCD treatment?
People Also Ask
Q. What are some reasons an adolescent may need psychological help?
Benefits of OCD Treatment
Since symptoms tend to get in the way of one's everyday life, there are several reasons why one may want to seek treatment for OCD. Alleviating one's symptoms can help greatly improve one's social life, professional life, school life, and more. Patients may want to combine different treatment modalities, such as medication and CBT, for the best results.
According to the International OCD Foundation, medication is a generally effective treatment for OCD. Additionally, approximately seven out of 10 people with OCD will benefit from medication or ERP. Patients who benefit from medication also typically see their OCD symptoms reduced by 40% to 60%. However, the patient must take their medication regularly and as directed for it to work. Patients should discuss any side effects with their doctor as soon as they arise. It may be necessary to change the medication dosage or to change it altogether.
“Since symptoms tend to get in the way of one’s everyday life, there are several reasons why one may want to seek treatment for OCD.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the risk factors for OCD?
A. While the causes of OCD are unknown, the disorder can affect people of all ages and lifestyles. Most people are diagnosed around age 19, and the disorder tends to have an earlier age of onset in boys than in girls. However, onset after age 35 is possible. Risk factors of OCD include brain functioning, brain structure, environment, and genetics.
Q. How common is OCD?
A. According to a recent study, obsessions and compulsions are relatively common in the general population —— reported in over 28% of people. However, OCD is only diagnosed when obsessions and compulsions become pathological in nature. Thus, diagnosable OCD is found in 1.6% to 2.5% of the population.
Q. Do people with OCD really believe in their obsessions and compulsions?
A. Most people with OCD are well aware that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational. However, this awareness does not help weaken the obsessive distress they feel or make their compulsions go away. In fact, this may lead to a heightened degree of shame, embarrassment, and isolation.
Q. What is the difference between an obsession and a worry?
A. A major difference lies in the nature of worry, anxiety, or fear. Patients with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may have worries that involve real-life situations but excessive degrees of apprehension. In contrast, OCD obsessions usually involve unrealistic fears.
Q. Does OCD ever get worse?
A. OCD typically gets worse with stress or age if not treated properly. As such, it is imperative for patients to seek a doctor as soon as they notice symptoms. Treatment has a greater chance of success if begun early.
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Definitions
Call Us Today
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors do not have to rule your life. We at Push Wellness Health can help you learn more about OCD and how to manage its symptoms. Call us today at 480-739-6765 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2024
- American Psychiatric Association (APA). American Psychiatric Association (APA). 2024
- Psychology Today. Psychology Today. 2024
- The American Board of Professional Psychology. The American Board of Professional Psychology. 2024
- The American Journal of Psychology. The American Journal of Psychology. 2024
- The National Association of Behavioral Healthcare. The National Association of Behavioral Healthcare. 2024
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