Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment: In-office & Virtual Psychiatrists

Understanding OCD: What It Is, How It’s Treated, and How to Find a Psychiatrist Who Can Help

What Is OCD? Symptoms and Diagnostic Overview

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition defined by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety. Common obsessions include fears about contamination, harm, symmetry, or morality, while compulsions may involve excessive washing, checking, counting, or arranging. Though compulsions temporarily relieve distress, they ultimately reinforce the obsessive-compulsive cycle, making symptoms worse over time.

This cycle is what drives OCD: an intrusive thought causes anxiety, leading the person to perform a compulsion in an attempt to feel relief. Without treatment, the cycle repeats and often intensifies, interfering with daily life. Effective psychiatric care, sometimes combined with medication, can significantly reduce symptoms and help individuals regain control.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) presents in a variety of ways. Effective treatment often involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

We offer OCD treatment both in-office, at locations in Philadelphia, Manhattan (NYC), Wilmington, and other cities, as well as virtually through Telehealth psychiatric appointments available across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, California, and additional states.

How Common is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) affects approximately 1.5% of women and 1% of men worldwide, 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 Types of OCD Do You Treat at Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates?

OCD can present in countless ways, with a wide range of obsessive themes and related compulsive behaviors. Some of the most common types include obsessions involving contamination, symmetry, harm, sexual or religious thoughts – each paired with compulsions like washing, checking, arranging, or reassurance-seeking.

• Contamination or cleanliness obsessions, with compulsions such as excessive cleaning, hand washing, or sanitizing.
• Symmetry, balance, or exactness obsessions, leading to compulsions like organizing, arranging, or aligning objects until they feel “just right.”
• Violent or aggressive obsessions, with compulsions involving checking, reassurance-seeking, avoidance, or repeated prayers to prevent imagined harm.
• Sexual obsessions, including intrusive thoughts related to sexual orientation, preferences, or inappropriate sexual content.
• Fear of self-harm, accompanied by compulsions aimed at avoiding or preventing perceived threats to oneself.
• Religious or moral obsessions, resulting in compulsions such as excessive praying, making the sign of the cross, or repeatedly seeking reassurance from spiritual leaders.

What Treatments are Available for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates offers comprehensive treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including psychiatric evaluations, diagnosis, medication management, and psychotherapy. Our team of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, and therapists provides care both in-office, at locations in Philadelphia, Manhattan (NYC), Wilmington, and more, and virtually through Telehealth appointments available across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida, California, and other states.

OCD treatment often involves medication management using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as clomipramine. These medications help regulate serotonin levels in the brain and are commonly prescribed at higher doses than those used for treating depression. According to the International OCD Foundation, approximately 7 out of 10 people benefit from OCD treatment involving either medication or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), with medication alone reducing symptoms by 40-60%.

• 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

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of treatment for OCD. At Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, many of our psychologists, therapists, and prescribers are trained in CBT and specialize in using it to treat OCD. The most effective type of CBT for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

ERP involves gradually exposing individuals to thoughts, images, or situations that trigger their obsessions, while helping them resist the urge to perform compulsions. Over time, this retrains the brain to stop seeing these triggers as threats. ERP can be used alone or alongside medication, depending on the individual’s treatment plan.

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.