Many people have heard of OCD before, but at Revibe Therapy in Winter Park, we often get asked what the symptoms are or how to tell if you have OCD. It’s important to note that you should never self-diagnose, please seek the diagnosis of a mental health professional. In an effort to help further educate people on what OCD is, today’s blog is all about the symptoms of OCD, OCD treatment options, and more. If you or someone you know are interested in learning more about OCD or receiving a professional diagnosis for this anxiety disorder, contact us at Revibe Therapy in Winter Park today.
What Is OCD?
OCD stands for obsessive compulsive disorder. There are also similar disorders that you will come across referred to as OCPD (obsessive compulsive personality disorder) or OCSD (obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder). In essence, OCD consists of urges and desires that are intrusive, undesired, and provide some level of anxiety. These compulsions are not simply a preference for having things a certain way.
OCD compulsions are something that you don’t want to think or do, but you feel you have to in order to relieve the panic, fear, or anxiety you are feeling. This has to be to the extent that it significantly negatively impacts your daily life. If you are looking for examples of what OCD does and doesn’t look like, view or OCD treatment page or our blog post going more in-depth.
Common Symptoms and Behaviors
OCD is an anxiety disorder that can vary from person to person. While there may be shared symptoms and behaviors from person to person, each person’s form of OCD can present differently. Some common symptoms and behaviors include but are not limited to:
- Repetitive behaviors (handwashing, checking, organizing, etc.)
- Compulsive mental acts (praying, repeating words in your head, etc.)
- A powerful need to adhere to a rigid self-made rule set (doing an action X amount of times)
- Compulsive and repetitive behaviors that are meant to reduce anxiety, stress, or preventing an event the person dreads
- Irrational and powerful phobias
- Non-optional daily rituals (needing to knock three times before entering a room, complex getting-ready routines, etc.)
- Obsessions or compulsions that take up a significant amount of time and interfere with work, school, and/or your social life
OCD Treatment Options
In many cases, OCD treatment is performed using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. However, we find that CBT isn’t always the best anxiety therapy for those suffering from OCD. At Revibe Therapy in Winter Park, we prefer to use EMDR therapy for OCD treatment. We find that our patients are more comfortable in this therapeutic setting, are less stressed, and achieve more powerful results with EMDR therapy. If you are interested in learning more about anxiety therapy through EMDR at Revibe Therapy in Winter Park, don’t hesitate to reach out to us any time.
Anxiety Therapy in Winter Park
Thanks for taking the time to read today’s blog! We hope that you have found it informational and have a clearer picture of OCD. If you or a loved one are struggling with OCD, Revibe Therapy in Winter Park can help. Our anxiety therapy has helped many find relief from OCD and it can help you too!