OCD

Now seeing patients via telemedicine in Rockford, Chicago, Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, the Metro East, and across Illinois.

What is OCD?

OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental health disorder that causes obsessive or undesirable thoughts (obsessions), irrational fears, and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions). These symptoms might be mild and not concerning or severe, interfering with work, school, relationships, and your overall mental health and quality of life. Treatment offers relief.

Which symptoms can OCD cause?

Symptoms of OCD include:

• Unwanted thoughts or fears
• Arranging canned goods all the same way
• A strong need for orderliness
• Fear of dirt or germs
• Not shaking hands or touching doorknobs
• Constantly checking for turned-off stoves and locked doors
• Repetitive behavior patterns
• Ongoing distress
• Continuous hand washing
• Difficulty dealing with uncertainty
• Horrific or aggressive and unwanted thoughts
• Intense feelings of stress during periods of disorganization 
• Having a strict routine
• Constant counting
• Demanding reassurance 

Severe OCD symptoms can interfere with daily activities, including work, school, and social activities. Your symptoms may be more severe during stressful situations and transitional life changes.

What may increase the risk of OCD?

The cause of OCD isn’t known, but its risk factors could include:’

• Family history of OCD
• Learned OCD behaviors
• Brain changes
• Chronic stress
• Traumatic life events

Other mental health disorders that may occur with OCD include depression, anxiety disorders, tic disorders, and substance use disorder (SUD). 

Left untreated, OCD increases the risk of complications. For example, you might spend excessive amounts of time completing ritualistic behaviors, struggle to concentrate at work or in school, maintain strong interpersonal relationships, or attend social events because of OCD. 

How is OCD diagnosed?

Diagnosing OCD at ClariPath Psychiatry requires a psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria. Your specialist asks about your behaviors, thought patterns, lifestyle, medication history, emotions, moods, and symptoms to determine if you have OCD or another mental health condition and how to treat it best. 

How is OCD treated?

Your personalized OCD treatment plan may consist of:

• Medication management 
• Lifestyle modifications 
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
• Other forms of psychotherapy
• Deep brain stimulation
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Intensive outpatient or residential treatment referrals

It’s helpful to adopt healthy habits that include getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, staying active, and minimizing stress (meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, etc.).

Follow up with ClariPath Psychiatry routinely for therapy and to ensure your treatment works as designed.

Schedule a telemedicine OCD evaluation at ClariPath Psychiatry by calling the office or booking a visit online today.