Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) causes recurrent thoughts and a strong urge to perform repetitive behaviors — and they’re both completely out of your control. At Dare To Care Too in Largo, Maryland, The Clinical Team specializes in effective treatments, giving you the ability to regain control and overcome obsessions and compulsions. If you struggle with OCD, call the office or schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.

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What is OCD?

OCD is a mental health condition that causes uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) that trigger repeated behaviors (compulsions). Obsessive thoughts cause such severe anxiety that you can’t fight the urge to perform specific behaviors in an effort to ease your anxiety.

Your behaviors may temporarily relieve the anxiety, but the intrusive thoughts return, and you’re compelled to perform your behavior. That creates an ongoing cycle that may consume so much time you can’t meet daily responsibilities.

How does OCD differ from natural obsessive tendencies?

Many individuals are strict about keeping their possessions in order. Others feel driven to frequently (or excessively) engage in their interests and expand their collections.

These behaviors may seem obsessive, but they’re not OCD because you can control the time you spend on them, and your apparent obsessions don’t come in the form of uncontrollable thoughts.

Individuals with OCD can’t control their compulsions or obsessions. And their obsessions are powerful thoughts dictating their behavior.

What does someone with OCD obsess about?

You could have one of many possible obsessions; some of the most common include:

  • Fear of germs
  • Fear of being harmed
  • Need to maintain order or symmetry
  • Fear of becoming violent
  • Fear of losing an important item

A compulsive behavior could involve something that’s not related to your obsession, such as repeating a phrase or counting. But most of the time, obsessions and compulsions are tied together.

A fear of germs may trigger frequent showering or hand washing. The need for order may lead to constantly rearranging items on a shelf (even though they’re exactly where you placed them the last time). And the fear of being harmed often causes behaviors like repeatedly checking doors to be sure they’re locked or making sure the stove is turned off.

What OCD treatments can improve my symptoms?

Your Dare To Care Too provider may recommend medication and/or therapy. Several antidepressants relieve OCD thoughts and behaviors, including Anafranil® (a tricyclic antidepressant), Cymbalta®, and several other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Individual and group counseling also helps many individuals overcome OCD. Methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) help you break the connection between obsessions and compulsions and teach ways to avoid ritualistic behaviors when you’re anxious.

Call Dare To Care Too today or use online booking to schedule an appointment and begin treatment that helps you overcome OCD.