OCD a disruptive disorder, often debilitating to those it affects. It’s an illness that doesn’t go away on its own, impacting people of all ages and all walks of life. Thankfully, there are effective treatment options available at Southern California Sunrise in Mission Viejo including specific psychotherapies and medications for OCD.
OCD a disruptive disorder, often debilitating to those it affects. It’s an illness that doesn’t go away on its own, impacting people of all ages and all walks of life. Thankfully, there are effective treatment options available at SoCal Sunrise in Mission Viejo including specific psychotherapies and medications for OCD.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a long-lasting mental illness that an estimated 3 million US adults (1.2%) struggle with. Roughly half (50.6%) of those adults have had a serious impairment as a result of the mental illness. It affects three times as many women as it does men, but can affect people of all varieties.
OCD is comprised of a cycle marked by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors as a result of these thoughts. Repetitive obsessions bring anxiety, and compulsions bring temporary relief. Then it starts over and repeats itself.
These obsessions are unwanted and consist of intrusive images and ideas that trigger intense and distressing feelings. They don’t go away, often repeating themselves in similar tones.
The sudden urge to do something repeatedly is called a compulsion, which is the OCD symptom or side-effect that is most commonly recognized in today’s society. Some experience both obsessions and compulsions, but to start treating for OCD, specific patterns need to be displayed.
When an individual receives an obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis, the series of compulsions and obsessions need to be severe enough that it starts to consume mass amounts of time and is seen getting in the way of important activities or responsibilities that the individual values.
Obsessions are impulses or thoughts that happen frequently and are often intense enough to be out of the individual’s personal control. For those people struggling with OCD, these patterns of thoughts are can be disturbing. Naturally, all possible efforts are made to avoid them.
In most cases, those who have been diagnosed with OCD realize that these thoughts are absurd. Still, they are practically inescapable, manifesting themselves in compulsive behavioral patterns and rituals.
Obsessions are typically characterized by the following categories:
Compulsions are considered being the second part of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Compulsive behaviors provide relief of obsessive thoughts but only temporarily.
Individuals struggling with OCD usually recognize this as a temporary solution. But without any other solution, compulsions are often the first choice when trying to cope with their conditions.
Compulsions are typically characterized by the following categories:
Treatment for OCD is no cure. However, the majority of people who get treatment for their OCD respond positively and are able to better manage their symptoms.
Improvement through treatment is gradual. Some people may need more intensive treatments for a longer period of time than others depending on the severity of the illness.
It’s urgent that people with OCD seek help early on as early diagnosis and treatment minimize the severity of the illness. Unfortunately, there is usually a long delay before people with OCD seek treatment, worsening their conditions.
Our Mission Viejo mental health center uses the following treatments seen to be effective in treating OCD:
OCD doesn’t have to get in the way of your life. Our talented staff at SCSRC’s Mental Health Center in Mission Viejo understands the challenges you or your loved one face daily.
Sadly, many people suffer from OCD alone. It’s common for people to feel embarrassed and have anxiety discussing their thoughts and behaviors. This results in the person with OCD avoiding treatment and continuing to live their life in an exhausting way.
We understand how difficult it is to break intrusive thoughts and know that they don’t define you. Our caring staff of psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists will be able to guide you or your loved one through every concern.
Call today and our admission specialists will gladly answer any question you may have and discuss our process.
One of the most effective treatments for OCD is a type of CBT treatment called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and antidepressants or selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
The four types of OCD include contamination, perfection, doubt/harm and forbidden thoughts.
With all forms of mental illness, there is no sole cure for OCD. Medication and psychotherapies are known to lessen the symptoms of OCD and help the individual manage.
Excessive-double checking of things, like locks, appliances and switches or constantly checking in with family members to see if they are okay. Other small behaviors include, counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety.