What is OCD?
By the National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) definition, OCD breaks down into two components: obsessions and compulsions. The former are unwanted, recurring, intrusive thoughts; the latter are actions, or rituals, a person feels compelled to perform to address them. Roughly 1 in 40 American adults will develop it at some point in their lives, according to the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).
Furthermore, while most people experience intrusive thoughts to a degree, the IOCDF notes that folks with OCD have them often — causing extreme anxiety, fear, or disgust that interferes with their ability to lead normal lives. The compulsions that temporarily provide relief only serve to reinforce the obsessions that cause them, leading to mental fatigue, interpersonal issues, and more.
Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
As mentioned earlier, OCD involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause extreme anxiety and rituals (compulsions) that temporarily neutralize it.
Common Obsessions
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), some common obsessions revolve around:
- Contamination
- Dirt
- Illness
- Performing certain actions
Common Compulsions
Similarly, the APA identified the following actions as common compulsions that tie into frequently occurring obsessions:
- Cleaning and washing oneself
- Checking and ordering possessions
- Repeating actions
- Hoarding items
More than a Stereotype
The previous two sections touched on the most prevalent symptoms of OCD — but Harvard Health details just how deep this mental illness can run. Fears of experiencing or committing violence, sexually abusing someone, or bringing harm to loved ones all trigger compulsions. And those rituals might not even be apparent: A subtype of the condition, known as “pure OCD,” involves mental compulsions invisible to others.
The Apex Recovery Approach to OCD Treatment
Given the intimate nature of the condition, personalized OCD recovery plans are essential to sustained recovery. They form the core of the treatments we offer at our San Diego outpatient mental health center: After we understand what brought them to us and what they hope to get out of therapy, we put together an individualized care plan that’ll help them achieve their goals.
In addition to Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — a specialized form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) recognized as the leading treatment for OCD — we incorporate mindfulness practices and other wellness techniques into our care plans, all with the aim of empowering patients to face intrusive thoughts without resorting to rituals. What’s more: Outpatient OCD therapy gives them a chance to flex their new skills in real-world environments, without sacrificing high-quality clinical care.
Are my quirks and habits
actually signs of OCD?
If they’re draining you of energy or causing you suffering, they most likely are. Call us for a confidential consultation, and we’ll help find an OCD specialist near you.
CALL US (619) 756-6424How Does OCD Affect a Person?
OCD can feel incredibly isolating — and in addition to damaging your relationships with others, it can shatter your perception of self. Add in the medical complications that the condition causes, and one thing becomes clear: A successful OCD rehab program, in San Diego or anywhere else, requires a patient approach. With us, you’ll get the time and attention you need to properly heal.
Personally
Intrusive thoughts cause constant emotional distress. Some folks may feel they’re irreparably damaged for having them in the first place; others might feel guilty about their compulsions and their effects on loved ones.
Medically
Besides the exhaustion and sleep disturbances caused by elevated cortisol levels, OCD can also lead to other knock-on symptoms. For instance, the Cleveland Clinic mentions how certain compulsions, like excessive handwashing, cause physical harm. OCD may even cause comorbid depression and anxiety disorders.
What Others are Saying About Apex Recovery
It’s possible to break the vicious cycle of OCD — and these reviews show how we helped.
Frequently Asked Questions About OCD
Per NOCD, both conditions involve anxious thoughts. However, they differ in scope: Generalized anxiety focuses on broad, realistic topics, while OCD deals with specific intrusive thoughts that go against one’s values.
An outpatient setting lends itself perfectly to ERP therapy in San Diego! The methodology makes patients face, or expose themselves to, the source of their obsessions — and prevents them from responding with a compulsion. By sitting with the resulting discomfort, they become used to it, robbing the intrusive thought of its power over them. The real world is filled with potential OCD triggers, giving patients plenty of opportunities to practice ERP.
Yes. OCD frequently manifests alongside Generalized Anxiety Disorder and other mental health conditions, and we specialize in dual-diagnosis care.
Take Your Life Back from OCD
You don’t have to wait for your intrusive thoughts to subside. Tap the button below to speak with one of our experts. We’d be happy to help you explore your options.
CALL US (619) 756-6424