Hoarding — Hoarding, which is a compulsive need to retain objects regardless of their value, leads to massive collections of useless materials. While living among piles of objects and materials can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, the thought of discarding items is even more distressing.

Contamination — Some people with OCD develop obsessions and compulsions about real and imagined dirt, germs, and other potentially harmful substances. Immoral thoughts, memories of traumatic events, or mental images can trigger these contamination obsessions. Contamination obsessions and the cleaning compulsions that often accompany them are the most common forms of OCD.

Checking — This subtype of OCD compels a person to make numerous checks—sometimes for hours at a time—to ensure the safety of other people or themselves. Those with a checking obsession may check on family members multiple times and repeatedly examine doors and windows to see if they are closed and locked. 

Indecisiveness — Taking longer to make a decision and needing to do exhaustive research before making up your mind can indicate the presence of OCD. This indecisiveness arises from the fear of making mistakes or being imperfect.

“Just right” discomfort — People with the “just right” subtype of OCD experience anxiety related to things not being “right.” They are often driven to repeat an action until the uncomfortable feeling eases.

Ordering and symmetry symptoms — With this form of OCD, a person can not tolerate seeing objects placed in a disordered or asymmetrical manner. It often compels individuals to repeatedly reorder or align objects.

Potential Causes & Factors Related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

While the exact cause of OCD is unknown, the National Institute of Mental Health reveals several factors that increase the risk of developing the condition.(3)

• Genetics: If a parent or sibling has OCD, you are more likely to develop it as well.
• Biology: People with OCD often have differences in the frontal cortex and subcortical structures of the brain, which are responsible for controlling behavior and emotional responses. 
• Temperament: Some studies have made a connection between more reserved behaviors, negative emotions, and symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with an increased tendency to develop OCD.
• Childhood trauma: While the relationship between childhood trauma and OCD is still unknown, studies have shown that children who experience trauma often develop OCD symptoms. 

Recognizing the Common Signs & Symptoms of OCD

We all rethink or double-check things sometimes, but not all repeated thoughts become obsessive. Similarly, not all rituals or habits turn into compulsions. In fact, some rituals, such as following a self-care plan, can be healthy. The difference between normal levels of these behaviors and OCD concerns:

• The inability to control your obsessions or compulsions, even when you know they’re excessive
• Spending more than one hour a day on your obsessions or compulsions 
• Experiencing temporary relief from anxiety when engaging in a compulsion but not getting any pleasure from the activity
• Having significant problems in daily life due to your thoughts or behaviors

People with OCD may have obsessions, compulsions, or both. Common obsessions include:

• Fear of germs or contamination
• Fear of forgetting, losing, or misplacing something
• Fear of losing control over your behavior
• Aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself
• Unwanted, forbidden, or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm
• Desire to have things symmetrical or in perfect order

Common compulsions include:

• Excessive cleaning or hand washing
• Ordering or arranging items in a particular, precise way
• Repeatedly checking things, such as whether the door is locked or the oven is off
• Compulsive counting
• Praying or repeating words silently

OCD can also appear as a tic disorder that causes unwanted movements or vocalizing. Some of these tics include:

• Eye blinking and other eye movements
• Grimacing
• Shoulder shrugging 
• Head or shoulder jerking 
• Repetitive throat-clearing 
• Sniffing
• Grunting 

OCD symptoms most often start between late childhood and young adulthood, but you can develop the disorder at any point in your life, and your obsessions and compulsions can change over time.

OCD Evaluation & Diagnosis

Diagnosing OCD can be difficult because behaviors such as worrying, anxiety, and depression are common with other mental illnesses as well. Thus, your healthcare provider may begin with a physical examination to rule out other conditions that may cause your symptoms. 

Once physiological issues are ruled out, they may refer you to a mental health professional who will conduct a psychological evaluation. During the assessment, you will be encouraged to discuss your thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and behavior patterns. The information you share will help them decide if you have obsessions or compulsive behaviors and what course of treatment would be best for you.

Outpatient OCD Treatment at Our Delray Beach Mental Health Clinic

Bishop Health’s Delray Beach OCD treatment includes a range of innovative, evidence-based treatment modalities in combination with traditional therapies. Our highly experienced staff can help you develop the tools you need to better manage your disorder and more fully participate in life. We will work with you to develop a treatment program that can include psychiatry services, individual therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, ketamine therapy, and more. 

OCD Treatment & Therapy Options

The mental health professionals at Bishop Health treat OCD with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of treatments. 

Psychotherapy and medication are not overnight cures, making it important to stick to your treatment plan even if you are not seeing dramatic changes—especially early on. It’s important to stay in contact with your healthcare provider and report any changes you experience so they can closely monitor your condition and make any necessary adjustments to your plan.

While there is no cure for OCD, treatment can help manage your symptoms so that you can carry out day-to-day activities and lead a full, active life.

OCD Treatment Therapies

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, used alone or in conjunction with medication, can be an effective treatment for adults and children with OCD. Several types of therapy are available depending on your condition.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps you recognize harmful or inaccurate ways of thinking. CBT helps you learn to question negative thoughts, determine how they impact your feelings and actions, and change self-defeating behavior patterns. It works best when customized to treat the unique characteristics of specific mental disorders, including OCD.
• Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP): Research shows that ERP, a specific type of CBT, effectively reduces compulsive behaviors, even for people who do not respond well to medication. With ERP, you spend time in a safe environment that gradually exposes you to situations that trigger your obsession (such as touching dirty objects) and prevent you from engaging in your typical compulsive behavior (such as handwashing). The approach may initially cause anxiety, but for most people it decreases compulsions as they continue treatment.

Medication

Antidepressants that target the serotonin in your brain are the most common medications prescribed for OCD. Serotonin is a chemical transmitter responsible for depression and OCD.

Treatment for OCD requires higher doses of antidepressants than depression, and it can take 8 to 12 weeks for symptoms to diminish. Some people experience side effects such as headaches, nausea, or difficulty sleeping. Your mental health provider can adjust medication over time to minimize side effects. However, do not stop taking your medication without first talking to your mental health provider. They can monitor your health and adjust your treatment plan safely and effectively.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive therapy that uses a magnet to stimulate areas of the brain, including those involved in OCD. Originally used for depression, TMS has also been found to improve symptoms in people for whom psychotherapy and medication provided little help. TMS does not deliver a “shock” of electricity, but you may feel a tapping on your head during treatment. Sedation is unnecessary for the procedure, and you can return to normal activities immediately.