Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition that affects approximately 2.5 million individuals each year in the United States.
OCD consists of a person developing intrusive obsessive thoughts, images, or urges that can cause feelings of distress and anxiety. To reduce these feelings, individuals with OCD develop compulsions or rituals that temporarily reduce the anxiety around the disturbing obsessions.
Often, people believe OCD is a label used to describe someone who is afraid of germs or needs things to be overly orderly. The reality, though, is that OCD is much more complex and diverse. OCD symptoms can start in childhood, but are often seen in adolescence and young adulthood. OCD also does not discriminate by gender and affects both men and women equally.
| Understanding OCD Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex condition that goes far beyond common stereotypes like excessive cleaning or organizing. OCD shows up in many forms known as subtypes, including fears of contamination, harm coming to oneself or others, moral or religious obsessions (scrupulosity), health anxieties, intrusive sexual or violent thoughts, perfectionism, and relationship doubts, among others. A key feature across all OCD subtypes is the presence of ego-dystonic thoughts, meaning the intrusive thoughts feel deeply distressing and out of sync with the person’s values, identity, or desires. These thoughts are unwanted, disturbing, and often trigger intense guilt or shame. To reduce the anxiety they cause, individuals may engage in mental or behavioral rituals, known as compulsions. Identifying your OCD subtype can be the first step toward healing, not for labeling, but for understanding. With effective treatment like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), individuals can learn to sit with discomfort, reduce compulsive behaviors, and regain a sense of agency and peace. |
Exposure Response Prevention is the most effective form of therapeutic intervention. It is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy and gradually exposes an individual to situations designed to provoke a person’s obsessions in a safe environment.
An important note of ERP is that it doesn’t completely remove distressing situations and thoughts, but does provide coping skills to reduce or eliminate compulsive behaviors. Conducting compulsive behaviors is what keeps the OCD cycle going, so eliminating a person's compulsions provides relief from the anxiety of the obsession.
In some cases, OCD symptoms in children may be related to PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders with Streptoccal Infections) or PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). This occurs when strep infections trigger an autoimmune response that affects the brain.
Early diagnosis and treatment of both OCD and PANDAS can help manage symptoms and improve the child's quality of life.
If you suspect your child may have OCD or PANS, please don't hesitate to reach out.
