Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has become a fixture in the imagination of popular culture as people casually refer to themselves as being OCD just because they happen to like things to be orderly. But as actual sufferers of obsessive-compulsive disorder know all too well, it is a severe illness that creates overwhelming, debilitating anxiety and can lead to involuntary self-harm. Thankfully, there are mental health treatment programs geared explicitly toward overcoming the struggles of OCD.
When you need the help of an OCD treatment program in Orange County, CA, to help you manage your condition, you can count on New Start Recovery. Our OCD treatment center will provide you with the therapy and medication that will help make your symptoms manageable, so you can live a happier, fulfilling life. Do not let your OCD symptoms control your life any longer — call us today at [Direct] to get started with treatment.
When Does OCD Become a Disorder?
OCD is possibly the most trivialized mental health disorder in society today. It transcends the basic urge to do certain things a lot; for example, keeping an immaculate home or car does not qualify a person as compulsive in their cleaning habits. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that they feel the urge to repeat over and over. When diagnosed alongside addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder is not a pretty picture and certainly not one to be taken lightly.
To qualify as OCD, behaviors should:
- Cause no pleasure; they only serve to relieve preexisting anxiety
- Present serious, continual problems in daily life
- Continue despite being unwanted and recognized as harmful
- Take up at least an hour of every day
Some people with OCD also experience tics like twitching, squirming, jerking, or vocal noises.
Symptoms of OCD
If you or a loved one is suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is important most of all to remember that only a licensed psychiatrist can make an official diagnosis. Since New Start Recovery firmly believes in getting dual diagnosis clients the help they need, we partner with a local psychiatric group to offer professional psychological evaluations. Getting addiction treatment and appropriate psych meds simultaneously could be the 180-degree turn you or your loved one needs to start their recovery.
Obsessions
Repeated urges, thoughts, or ideas that create severe anxiety such as:
- Wanting things symmetrical/in order
- Fear of germs
- Strange thoughts about restricted topics like sex or religion
- Aggression toward oneself or others
Compulsions
Physical behaviors that result from cognitive obsessions such as:
- Repetitive counting
- Excessive cleaning/washing
- Need to do things a certain amount of times
- Rearranging objects compulsively for things like unlocked doors, running faucets, etc
Subtype Cases
Unlike many other mental health disorders, OCD does not have distinct subtypes. Still, symptoms manifest differently in all individuals, which may impact how that person’s addiction presents. Some common subtypes include:
- Early-onset: This is often contingent on gender. Men are more likely to have early-onset OCD, whereas women are more likely to develop the disorder in early adulthood. Early-onset OCD tends to be more severe than late-onset.
- Tics / Tourette Syndrome: It is extremely common for people with OCD to have another chronic tic disorder. About 50% of people with OCD report having either current or past tics. About 15% of those with OCD were also diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (source).
- Hoarding: OCD makes rife territory for hoarding behavior, which is linked to the anxiety created by the thought of throwing away items perceived to be important. It can also result from the fear of running out or being out of a particular item. When approaching a loved one who is hoarding, it is crucial not to be judgmental and understand that their behavior is coming from a place of vulnerability. Hoarders also can squirrel away large stashes of drugs and alcohol, creating an enabling environment that should be addressed in treatment.
New Start Recovery: OCD Therapy in Orange County, CA
If the symptoms of obsessive and compulsive behaviors control your life, it is time to reach out to an OCD treatment center for help. New Start Recovery can help you take back your life with OCD therapy in Orange County, CA. Give us a call today at [Direct] to learn more.