Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): General Information about this Condition, Symptoms & Treatment. Finding a Psychiatrist or Therapist who Treats OCD.
Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates is able to treat individuals for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) both in-office in
Philadelphia, Manhattan (NYC), Wilmington and our other locations, as well as virtually with Telehealth Psychiatric appointments serving all of NY, NJ, PA, DE, FL, CA and others.
How Common is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects approximately 1.5% of women and 1 percent of men world-wide, with a prevalence in the United States of approximately 2.5% of the population. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects children, adolescents and adults, and can cause significant distress for the individual.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and its Symptoms?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric illness where individuals experience “obsessions” and/or “compulsions” that cause significant distress. Obsessions are repetitive thoughts, images or urges that the individual cannot prevent from coming into their mind, that cause distress (they are unwanted thoughts, referred to as “ego-dystonic” by psychiatrists). These thoughts can seem strange or inappropriate, but can also have to do with symmetry, cleanliness, religiosity, or have other themes. Individuals may feel a compulsion to “do something” specific, in order to try to alleviate distress from these obsessions. This can lead to “compulsions” which are repetitive acts or rituals, that an individual engages in to alleviate their distress. Some individuals will also have specific thoughts that they need to perform a compulsion a certain number of times, or until doing so feels “just right,” to prevent something terrible or problematic from happening.
What are the Types of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that you Treat in Philadelphia, Manhattan, Wilmington and Your Other Locations at Rittenhouse?
There are basically an infinite number of “types” or “themes” of obsessions and compulsions. Some common themes and associated compulsions of OCD include:
- Contamination or having to do with cleanliness, w/ compulsions related to cleaning, hand washing or others.
- Symmetry, Balance or Exactness, w/ compulsions related to organizing, arranging, having balance or others.
- Violent or aggressive obsessions, w/ compulsions related to checking to make sure that violent or aggressive behaviors did not occur, prevention of possible violent or aggressive acts, seeking reassurance from others, praying or others.
- Sexual obsessions, having to do with sexual orientation, or preferences or others.
- Fear of harm to self w/ compulsions of preventing self-harm.
- Religious obsessions, with compulsions to excessively pray, sign the cross, compulsively seek reassurance from priests, rabbis or others.
Can you Provide Specific Examples of Obsessions and Compulsions that you Treat in Philadelphia, Manhattan, Wilmington and the other areas that you serve?
- Contamination: An individual has the recurrent thought that they will spread a deadly virus to others (which there’s no evidence that they have), and they will wash their hands for several hours a day (resulting in dry, chapped and often bleeding hands).
- Symmetry, balance or exactness: An individual experiences as great deal of distress when looking at their face in a mirror, particularly if they notice any blemishes. They spend hours a day plucking hairs, picking scabs, or applying make-up in an attempt to create a more balanced and symmetric appearance, but this results in not only lost time, but skin infections, increased scabs and other difficulties.
- Violence: An individual has repetitive thoughts when cooking (or simply when in the kitchen), that they will stab themself or others, when they are using a knife. They therefore keep their knives locked, or avoid using knives completely, even though the thoughts cause distress and they know deep down that they would never harm themself or others.
- Sexual: An individual has recurrent thoughts or concerns that they may be attracted to same sex individuals, despite no evidence that they are. For example, they may only become physiologically aroused by being with, looking at, fantasizing about or dreaming about individuals of the opposite sex, but they may force themself to compulsively look at pictures of same sex individuals to “test” themselves, to see if they are indeed attracted to same-sex individuals (even though this act causes significant distress).
- Religious: An individual may have repetitive thoughts or images that they will commit an act that is considered a “sin.” This causes the individual to seek reassurance from a priest, rabbi or spiritual advisor multiple times a day, despite them providing reassurance that having a thought is not indeed a sin, and that they do not need to continue to seek reassurance.
What Treatments are Available for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates and its Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Psychologists and Therapists provide Psychiatric Evaluations, Diagnosis, Medication Management and Psychotherapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Philadelphia, Manhattan, Wilmington and throughout the states that we serve with Telehealth Virtual Psychiatric Appointments.
Medication Management for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder often includes medications that increase the availability of serotonin, such as Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Serotonin Norepinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). Tricyclic Anti-depressants (TCAs) can also be utilized in the management of OCD in Philadelphia and the other areas that we serve. It is not uncommon for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to require slightly higher doses of SSRIs, than are typically used in depression or other anxiety disorders.
- SSRIs such as Luvox (fluvoxamine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Lexapro (escitalopram), Celexa (citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine) and others.
- SNRIs such as Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine)
- TCAs such as Anafranil (clomipramine)
Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be an extremely effective form of therapy for OCD. Many of the Psychologists, Therapists and even prescribers at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are trained in, and have expertise in, helping patients with OCD by utilizing this type of psychotherapy. CBT can be utilized with, or without, medication management.
Why Choose Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
- 25 Academically oriented Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners and Psychologists who trained at Institutes such as The Johns Hopkins Hospital, The University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
- In-office and Virtual Telehealth Appointments within 1-2 weeks.
- Evidenced-based and holistic care, which may or may not include medication management. We work with our patients to create an individualized plan that meets your specific needs and preferences for the treatment of OCD.
- Providers licensed in PA, NJ, DE, NY, FL, CA and others. Office locations in Philadelphia, on The Main Line, Pittsburgh, Manhattan, Wilmington, DE and others.
Schedule with Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Evaluation, Diagnosis, Medication Management & Therapy.
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