OCD

An estimated 2-3 million American adults and 500,00 youth suffer from OCD. This mental health condition can affect your functioning at work, school, and daily activities. Fortunately, Emem Nkanga, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, and the team at Mindful Solutions Psychiatry in Garland, Texas, offer OCD care to patients aged ten and older. If you or a family member is experiencing repetitive thoughts or behaviors and would benefit from treatment, call the office today or book an appointment online.

What is OCD? 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition that provokes you to repeat behaviors or sensations. These repetitions make you feel you’re alleviating unwanted thoughts, anxieties, or mental images. 

Around 50% of people with OCD begin to show symptoms in childhood and adolescence, and the condition benefits from diagnosis and treatment when signs first arise. 

What are the symptoms of OCD?

OCD includes both obsession and compulsion symptoms. 

OCD obsessions 

Obsessions may manifest as mental images or thoughts you have trouble controlling, such as: 

• Fear of germs 
• Fear of risk or making a mistake 
• Feeling doubtful 
• Unwanted sexual thoughts 
• Anxiety over dying
• Fear of harming yourself or others 
• Obsessing over organization or perfection 
• Anxiety around losing something 

You may also feel a constant need for reassurance, order, or neatness. 

OCD compulsions 

You may enact compulsive behaviors such as: 

• Checking things repeatedly 
• Cleaning yourself or washing your hands repeatedly 
• Hoarding items of no value 
• Arranging things specifically 
• Rituals related to numbers 
• Doing a behavior a specific number of times 
• Repeating phrases 
• Seeking repeated validation 
• Arranging things in a specific way 
• Avoiding situations that trigger obsessions (shaking hands, touching surfaces) 

These tasks may feel urgent, even if you don’t find pleasure or logic in acting out the behaviors. Obsessions and compulsions can also evolve over time.

What are my OCD treatment options?

Your provider performs an assessment to evaluate your symptoms and how they negatively impact you in school, work, relationships, or ambitions. After an evaluation, your provider creates a personal treatment plan depending on your needs. 

Medication

Antidepressants like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) and selective SRIs (SSRIs) alter the chemicals your brain releases, improving mood, anxiety, and OCD compulsions. 

If your provider believes medication is the best course of action, they discuss any known side effects with you before starting treatment. Medication management can help you keep track of your prescriptions, dosages, and any side effects. 

Psychotherapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are forms of psychotherapy that help you identify your triggers, restore healthy thoughts and behaviors, and learn that bad things don’t actually happen when you don’t perform compulsions.

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) exposes you to your specific fear in a safe environment — like touching a doorknob. You can learn that this act isn’t threatening and you’re in control and safe. 

If you’re looking for expert OCD care for you or your child, reach out online today or call the friendly staff at Mindful Solutions Psychiatry.