OCD

About one in 40 adults develops obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during their lifetime. At Alamo Premier Mental Health in San Antonio, Texas, the highly trained mental health providers screen for and treat OCD to optimize mental health and well-being. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Alamo Premier Mental Health by calling the office or booking an appointment online today. 

What is OCD?

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a mental health condition affecting your thoughts and behaviors. It’s described as having compulsions (repetitive behaviors) and obsessions (unwanted thoughts). While milder cases of OCD aren’t necessarily cause for concern, severe cases that interfere with the quality of life benefit from treatment.

What are some signs of OCD?

OCD can contribute to the following:

• Not shaking hands or touching doorknobs
• Fear of germs or dirt
• Strong desire for orderliness
• Undesirable thoughts or behaviors
• Arranging canned goods the same way
• Washing your hands frequently 
• Constantly checking for locked doors and turned-off stoves
• Difficulty coping with uncertainty
• Having strict routines
• Horrific or aggressive thoughts
• Stress surrounding disarray
• Continuous cleaning, checking, or counting
• Demanding reassurance

The symptoms of OCD often begin during the teenage years or young adulthood. They may change over time and become worse during high-stress situations. Severe cases may be disabling, preventing you from being successful at work, in school, or in relationships. 

What are the risk factors for OCD?

OCD risk factors include:

• Brain changes
• Family history of OCD
• Learned behaviors from other people
• Stress
• Trauma
• Having another mental health disorder

However, the cause of OCD isn’t well understood. Your risk may be higher if you have depression, anxiety disorders, tic disorders, or substance use disorder (SUD).

How is OCD diagnosed?

The experts at Alamo Premier Mental Health complete a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation using DSM-5 criteria and offer DNA-based testing (pharmacogenetic testing) to determine which medications may be appropriate for your genetics and condition. They discuss your behaviors, thoughts, moods, emotions, lifestyle habits, and treatment goals. 

How is OCD treated?

Your Alamo Premier Mental Health specialist might recommend one or more of the following OCD treatments:

• Healthy lifestyle modifications
• Stress management (acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, massage, meditation, etc.)
• Medication management
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Other forms of psychotherapy 
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Support groups

Follow up routinely with your Alamo Premier Mental Health provider to ensure effective, long-lasting treatment outcomes. Call the office anytime with questions.

Schedule an in-person or virtual OCD evaluation at Alamo Premier Mental Health by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.