Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

OCD is a mental health disorder marked by the performance of compulsive behaviors to alleviate intense anxiety or irrational fears that devastating consequences will occur if particular actions are not completed. 

Symptoms of OCD

There are two main characteristics of OCD noted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5): obsessions and compulsions. Persistent obsessions trigger the need to engage in compulsive behaviors.

OCD compulsions may include repeatedly checking to ensure lights are turned off or doors are locked.  While such behaviors are frequently seen as harmless or eccentric, OCD can trigger actions that can cause physical discomfort or injury when performed compulsively. 

Constant vigorous hand washing, for example, can cause broken and raw skin. More severe OCD might involve hair pulling, skin picking, or other forms of self-harm.

Obsessive Signs and Symptoms

Obsessive disorders frequently involve the following:

• Fear of germs, infection, or contamination.
• Inability to cope with a perceived lack of orderliness.
• Experiencing repeated thoughts about harming others or being harmed.
• Experiencing intrusive and unwanted thoughts about sensitive or disturbing subjects, like religion, sex, or violence.
• Fear of risk.
• Need to plan or manage every aspect of an activity.
• Avoiding circumstances that might cause obsessive thoughts.

It can be challenging to identify obsessive signs and symptoms in others. However, the most easily identifiable indications of an obsessive disorder include the following behaviors:

• Being unable to touch objects that others have touched.
• Continually second-guessing that actions were performed.
• Exhibiting intense anxiety or stress when possessions aren’t in a specific order or facing a particular direction.

Compulsion Signs and Symptoms

Compulsive behaviors are not pleasurable for people with OCD. They perform repetitive actions to relieve stress or fear or to stop intrusive thoughts. Compulsion symptoms involve the following behaviors:

• Repeatedly performing tasks like washing hands, turning light switches on and off, or checking if doors are locked.
• Repeatedly muttering a word or phrase.
• Neglecting urgent tasks in favor of performing compulsive actions.

While OCD involves both obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions, some people may experience only one or the other.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), to make a formal obsessive-compulsive disorder diagnosis, a person must exhibit at least four out of eight of the following symptoms by early adulthood:

• Preoccupation with details, rules, schedules, organization, and lists.
• A striving to do something perfectly that interferes with the completion of the task.
• Excessive devotion to work and productivity (not due to financial necessity), resulting in neglect of leisure activities and friends.
• Excessive conscientiousness, fastidiousness, and inflexibility regarding ethical and moral issues and values.
• Unwillingness to throw out worn-out or worthless objects, even those with no sentimental value.
• Reluctance to delegate or work with other people unless those people agree to do things exactly as the patient wants.
• A miserly approach to spending for themselves and others because they see money as something to be saved for future disasters.
• Rigidity and stubbornness.

What Is the Cause of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

The exact causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder aren’t fully understood. However, it’s believed to be a combination of genetic, neurological, environmental, and behavioral factors. 

People with a family history of OCD are at higher risk for developing the condition than the rest of the population. 

OCD is more likely to manifest after experiencing abuse, assaults, or other significant trauma. 

Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can manifest in various ways, resulting in different types of obsessions and compulsions. 

Some common types include:

• Contamination Obsessions and Cleaning/Washing Compulsions
  Fear of germs, dirt, or contamination leading to excessive cleaning, handwashing, or avoiding specific objects or places.
• Checking Compulsions
  Persistent fears of harm or danger, resulting in repeated checking behaviors, such as ensuring doors are locked, appliances are off, or things are in place.
• Symmetry and Order Obsessions
  A strong need for things to be arranged symmetrically or in a specific order, leading to repetitive arranging, organizing, or aligning.
• Intrusive Thoughts and Mental Rituals
  Distressing, intrusive thoughts or mental images (often related to harming oneself or others) followed by mental rituals or repetitive behaviors to ease anxiety.
• Hoarding
  Persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of value, leading to excessive accumulation and cluttered living spaces.
• Religious or Moral Obsessions
  Excessive concerns about morality, ethics, or religious beliefs, resulting in repetitive behaviors or mental rituals to relieve distress.

These types are not exclusive. People with OCD may experience a combination of these obsessions and compulsions, and the symptoms can vary greatly in severity and form.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder vs. OCD

OCD involves distressing obsessions and compulsions that individuals feel compelled to perform to alleviate anxiety, typically recognizing these behaviors as excessive. Common OCD treatments include therapy and medication. While there is no one specific medication for obsessive-compulsive disorder, certain antidepressants can help address its symptoms.

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) entails a pervasive pattern of perfectionism, control, and preoccupation with orderliness without causing distress, as those with OCPD often perceive these traits as appropriate. Addressing these symptoms can be challenging as individuals might not see a need to change their behavior, and obsessive-compulsive disorder therapy usually focuses on the impact of these traits on their lives.

Understanding the Link Between OCD and Addiction

OCD symptoms can sometimes appear because of long-term or severe substance use disorders. The condition, known as drug-induced psychosis, is caused by substance use-related brain chemistry changes.

However, substance use disorders can also amplify existing OCD symptoms. The relationship between mental health disorders like OCD and addiction requires a dedicated treatment approach that addresses both issues concurrently. 

At Beach House Center for Recovery, we offer personalized treatment programs that address the underlying causes of substance use disorders, helping patients manage the emotional triggers that contribute to self-medicating behaviors.

Personalized OCD and Substance Abuse Treatment in Florida

People struggling with OCD are at a heightened risk of experiencing a substance use disorder at some point in their lives. 

At Beach House Center for Recovery, we proudly offer evidence-based therapies designed to treat the whole person with compassion and empathy. Our specialized programs combine substance use and obsessive-compulsive disorder treatments to address the short-term effects of addiction and provide tools for long-term management.

Please get in touch with our helpful admissions counselors today to learn more about our comprehensive mental health treatment in Florida.