Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is an anxiety-based mental health disorder that compels people to perform certain behaviors through intrusive thoughts and urges. It cannot be cured, but there are many ways to manage your symptoms through medication and therapy. Many people think of cleanliness and organization when they imagine OCD, but there are many other ways to manifest and control your urges. People with OCD may perform daily tasks in numbered patterns or perform certain rituals that have nothing to do with organization. With help from an OCD treatment center specializing in treating OCD in adults, you can manage these intrusive urges and get on with your life.
Oceanfront Recovery’s mental health treatment center is well equipped to offer exemplary care for those struggling with OCD. We know that addiction and mental health can be a double-pronged weapon for many, which is why we take pride in our dual diagnosis approach. We can help you by treating not only your substance abuse pattern but also any mental illness that may be exacerbating that. Contact us today at 877.279.1777 or visit our website to learn more about our dual diagnosis approach.
Common Symptoms of OCD
Most symptoms of OCD can be categorized as either obsessive or compulsive. Obsessions refer to how someone’s brain focuses on different topics. They can include:
- Contamination. Someone with OCD may have intense fears about germs and disease.
- Intrusive thoughts. These are unwanted thought patterns that can include sexual, frightening, or violent acts and occurrences.
- Perfectionism. Many people with OCD may become obsessive about perfecting simple tasks that often do not need to be “perfect.”
Compulsions are rituals through which people with OCD may interact with the world around them. It can be very difficult to ignore these urges. Compulsions can include:
- Checking. Someone with OCD may need to check multiple times to ensure that a window is latched or a car is turned off.
- Repeating. Some people with OCD don’t just check things repeatedly; some may repeat a phrase or perform a task such as brushing their teeth more than once.
- Organizing. Some people with OCD may clean excessively or organize and arrange their space multiple times a day.
Treating OCD in Adults
There are many ways to treat OCD that have been effective for many people. Mental health treatment, in general, makes strides every day; information and research about treating OCD in adults are constantly improving the practice. Exposure therapy, with response prevention techniques, is a common method. This works by exposing people to obsessions their OCD may focus on and restricting their ability to perform rituals or compulsions. Gradually, those urges can decline.
Standard cognitive-behavioral therapy can help, too. Talking to a trained professional about your OCD, how it manifests, and how your personal compulsions work can give you a new perspective. Your therapist can also recommend new techniques to help curb your compulsions and reduce your obsessive thoughts. Many people can benefit from family therapy for their OCD, too. Medication can also be used to treat OCD when it is prescribed by a doctor and managed well.
Accessing Mental Health Treatment with Oceanfront Recovery
Seeking mental health treatment after struggling with mental illness for any amount of time can be scary. Luckily, with Oceanfront Recovery in Laguna Beach, you’ll never be alone in that journey. Here, we take pride in making sure you feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. Our beautiful facility located near the beach is well equipped to treat people with various needs. For more information about what we can do for you or your loved one, contact us today by completing our secure online form or calling us at 877.279.1777.
