Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Real OCD Is More Than a Few Quirks — It’s Daily Disruption
It’s common for people with a few quirks or odd behaviors to say that they have “some OCD,” but a real diagnosis of OCD can mean that the individual has been living with notable disruption in their lives for some time. OCD is a legitimate diagnosis, and those affected can struggle significantly throughout their daily activities.
Understanding the Condition
What Is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD, is a mental health diagnosis that can occur in patients of all ages and races. It is characterized as being caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions that begin to have a significant effect on the individual’s daily life.
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts or feelings that create considerable distress. Compulsions are behaviors individuals feel driven to perform to reduce the anxiety their obsessions cause.
While many people experience occasional intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors, clinical OCD is severe enough to disrupt daily functioning, take up significant time, and cause intense distress that affects school, work, or home life.
Obsessions
What Are Obsessions?
Obsessions are recurring thoughts, feelings, or mental images that feel uncontrollable. They are often disturbing and illogical, even though the person recognizes their irrationality. They frequently involve fear, doubt, disgust, or the feeling that things must be precisely controlled to prevent harm.
Common Obsessions
- Contamination obsessions — fear of germs, bodily fluids, asbestos, radiation, acids, or dirt
- Sexual obsessions — fears of acting on impulses or harming others
- Perfectionism obsessions — concerns with evenness, symmetry, remembering, and fear of mistakes
Compulsions
What Are Compulsions?
Compulsions are repeated behaviors or thoughts aimed at reducing the distress an obsession causes, even though sufferers recognize they don’t genuinely resolve the issue. They provide only temporary relief. Avoiding the situations that trigger obsessions also qualifies as compulsive behavior.
The most important thing to remember is that people with OCD do not get satisfaction from their compulsions, and most feel forced to engage in the behaviors.
Cleaning
Hand-washing, excessive showering, and over-grooming.
Checking
Checking the body, verifying no harm has occurred to self or others, and ensuring nothing terrible has happened.
Mental
Praying to prevent harm, counting to reach a “safe” number, and mentally undoing things with others.
Effective Care
What Are Common Treatments for OCD?
Multiple effective treatments exist for OCD. These include psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention therapy, as well as approved medications.
Choosing a Program
What to Look for in OCD Treatment Centers in Orange County
As you evaluate OCD treatment centers in Orange County, a few factors matter most: the treatment programs available, the types of treatment offered, and the ongoing options that help ensure long-term success.
Casa Recovery
Leading OCD Treatment in Orange County
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be living with OCD, we invite you to contact us confidentially. You can speak with our experienced mental health counselors and work together to develop a personal treatment plan built around your needs.
Take the First Step Toward Relief From OCD
Compassionate, confidential OCD care is available in Orange County. Reach out today to speak with a counselor and start building your personal treatment plan.