What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disabling and chronic neuropsychiatric condition that is characterized by anxious, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualistic behaviors (compulsions). People with the disorder report obsessions that include worrying about dirt or germs, worrying that something dangerous might hit them or others, and worrying that a regular behavioral act, such as locking the door or turning off the stove, has not been done correctly, and worrying about order and symmetry.
Treatment Process
To meet the diagnostic criteria for OCD, its symptoms must be severe enough to cause marked distress or impairment of daily functioning and must last for more than an hour a day. Many clients report numerous obsessions and compulsions that they find extreme and nonsensical, often resulting in a sense of shame and a fear of "losing one's mind." Because of this, they often report feelings of being helpless and attribute their inability to control their thoughts and behavior as a sign that they are weak or incomplete.
Our Approach
Cleveland Psychiatry Associates has one of the few programs in the country that offers an evidence-based approach to treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). At Cleveland Psychiatry Associates, we have a separate OCD treatment program that includes cognitive therapy, exposure and response prevention, and medication management. We have a specialized staff of therapists specializing in OCD and anxiety-related problems. Treatment can be tailored to each person by using various approaches to help ensure recovery.