OCD Specialist
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Institute For Advanced Psychiatry
Psychiatrists & TMS Specialists located in Fort Worth, TX
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a long-lasting condition that affects about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in the United States. General psychiatrist Diana Ghelber, MD, treats OCD in patients of all ages at her private practice, the Institute for Advanced Psychiatry in Fort Worth & Granbury, Texas. If you think you have OCD, call the Institute for Advanced Psychiatry.
OCD Q & A
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common condition characterized by a pattern of unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
These obsessions and compulsions lead to significant distress and interfere with all aspects of your life, including work, school, and relationships.
When you have OCD, you may or may not realize these obsessions and compulsions are irrational and excessive. Even if you do identify the thoughts and behaviors as unreasonable, they seem impossible to control.
Trying to ignore the obsessions may even increase your anxiety and distress, leading you to perform the compulsive behaviors again and again.
What are the symptoms of OCD?
OCD may cause obsessions, compulsions, or both. To be diagnosed with OCD, the obsessions and compulsions must take up at least an hour of your day and interfere with your normal routine.
Obsessions
Obsessions involve irrational and disturbing thoughts, impulses, or images that occur repeatedly. Examples of common OCD obsessions include:
- Fear of germs or contamination
- Thoughts about harming yourself or others
- Needing things to be symmetrical or in a particular order
Compulsions
Compulsions are behaviors and rituals you feel the urge to perform in order to temporarily relieve the stress of an obsession. Common compulsions include:
- Repetitive hand washing
- Repeatedly checking doors to make sure they’re locked
- Arranging things a certain way
- Counting in patterns
The compulsions are excessive and may not be related to the obsession you're trying to alleviate.
Who gets OCD?
OCD affects millions of children, teenagers, and adults. Most of the time, OCD symptoms appear during adolescence and gradually become more severe throughout adulthood. You may be at a higher risk of getting OCD if you have family members with the disorder.
How is OCD diagnosed and treated?
It’s possible to have OCD along with another mental health condition, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
Dr. Ghelber carefully evaluates your condition to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. Then, she works with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to control your OCD.
Depending on your needs, OCD treatment may include medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. If your OCD symptoms continue to disrupt your life despite treatment, Dr. Ghelber may recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy.
To find out how you can manage OCD and lead a functional life, call the Institute for Advanced Psychiatry today.
