Two to three million Americans have their lives disrupted by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). If you need help managing the unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors that OCD can cause, you can find it at Ocean Psychiatry. The mental health providers offer customized care plans for OCD symptoms. They use psychotherapy, medications, and other therapies to restore your quality of life, so you can thrive at home, at work, and in social situations. Call the office in Fremont, California, to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.
OCD is a chronic mental health disorder that causes uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
Obsessions are repeated thoughts, images, or urges that cause anxiety. Some people obsess over gems, forbidden sexual thoughts, or aggressive thoughts of harming self or others.
There are also people with OCD that obsess over having things in a specific order.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person with OCD feels they need to do when they have obsessive thoughts.
Common compulsions of OCD can include repeatedly checking on things, excessive cleaning, or compulsive counting.
When you have OCD, you’re not able to control your thoughts or behaviors and spend at least an hour a day repeating certain actions or having unwanted thoughts.
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Ocean Psychiatry if you have symptoms of OCD that interfere with your quality of life.
In some cases, OCD symptoms can make it difficult to maintain a job or relationships. The condition can cause sudden physical tics in your body, such as eye movements, shoulder shrugging, or vocal tics that cause distress or embarrassment.
The Ocean Psychiatry providers can evaluate your symptoms, your lifestyle, and your medical history to determine if you have OCD. They design a custom treatment plan to reduce your symptoms and keep your condition well-controlled.
Ocean Psychiatry offers several therapies to relieve symptoms of OCD. They typically recommend a combination of psychotherapy and medications.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) helps you identify underlying factors that may be contributing to your repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
Medications like serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) can help relieve OCD symptoms. The providers may also recommend antipsychotic medications if other drugs aren’t working or if you need relief from physical or vocal tics.
The providers continue to monitor your progress with treatment over time and can make adjustments to your medications as necessary. They may also suggest lifestyle changes that support your treatment and help improve your overall mental and physical health.
To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for obsessive-compulsive disorder, call Ocean Psychiatry or book an appointment online today.