Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, urges, or doubts that can create significant anxiety or distress. In response, a person may feel driven to perform certain behaviors, rituals, mental acts, or reassurance-seeking in an attempt to reduce that distress or prevent something bad from happening.
OCD can look very different from person to person and is not simply about being neat, organized, or particular. Children, teens, and adults with OCD may recognize that their fears or behaviors are excessive, but still find them extremely difficult to resist.
OCD may involve:
• Repeated checking or reassurance-seeking
• Fear of germs, contamination, or illness
• Excessive washing or cleaning
• Intrusive thoughts or images that feel frightening or upsetting
• Fear of accidentally harming oneself or someone else
• A need for things to feel “just right”
• Repeating certain words, actions, or routines
• Counting or other mental rituals
• Difficulty tolerating uncertainty
OCD can also be difficult to recognize, particularly in children and teenagers. What looks like avoidance, indecision, repeated questioning, perfectionism, or difficulty completing everyday tasks may sometimes be connected to obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. Because anxiety, ADHD, and other concerns can overlap with or occur alongside OCD, understanding what is driving the behavior is an important part of determining the right treatment approach.
Treatment for OCD
OCD is treatable. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specialized form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), is one of the most well-established treatments for OCD. ERP helps clients gradually face feared thoughts, situations, or feelings while learning to reduce the compulsive behaviors that have been reinforcing the cycle of anxiety.
Treatment should be individualized based on the client’s age, symptoms, needs, and level of impairment. For children and adolescents, involving parents may also be important, particularly when family members have understandably become involved in reassurance, avoidance, or rituals.
At Endeavor Psychotherapy Associates, we will talk with you about what you or your child is experiencing and help determine the appropriate next step. When specialized OCD treatment or another level of care is needed, we can also help families identify appropriate resources.
If OCD symptoms are interfering with school, work, relationships, family life, or everyday activities, contact Endeavor Psychotherapy Associates in Woodbury, NY. We’ll talk with you about what is happening, answer questions about treatment, and help determine whether one of our clinicians or a more specialized OCD provider is the right fit.