Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition associated with the need to repeat behaviors or satisfy sensations. Doing so may alleviate powerful anxieties, mental images, or unwanted thoughts.
Some people are diagnosed with OCD in childhood, but it may improve or worsen as they enter adulthood. About half of people with OCD show evidence of symptoms in childhood and adolescence, and early diagnosis and treatment can be very beneficial.
The skilled providers at RapidRecovery TMS develop personalized treatment plans to ease OCD symptoms and anxieties.
As the name indicates, obsession and compulsion are integral to OCD. These symptoms may impact your life in many different ways.
The obsessive side of OCD may take the form of mental images or thoughts, including:
The compulsive side of OCD can take the form of behaviors like:
Another aspect of OCD is the distressing sense of urgency that accompanies these behaviors. While you may find no pleasure or logic in taking specific actions, you may feel you have no choice.
The RapidRecovery TMS team first performs a thorough mental health evaluation. Your provider may investigate how your symptoms impact your daily life, including your relationships, professional life, and personal goals.
Your provider may recommend antidepressant medications like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) or selective SRIs (SSRIs) to alleviate stress or benefit your mood. These medications improve the symptoms of OCD by altering the chemicals your brain releases.
Talk therapy techniques like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you identify your triggers, come to a deeper understanding of your disorder, and develop healthier thoughts and behavioral patterns.
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) can safely familiarize you with objects or situations so you can work through your feelings healthily.
Learn more about OCD treatments by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.