OCD
OCD Services in Katy, TX
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves a persistent cycle of distressing thoughts that cause anxiety, followed by repetitive behaviors that can consume an hour or more of your day. The mental health professionals at Fidelity Health and Psychiatry Services specialize in treating OCD, offering comprehensive care to adults throughout Texas via telemedicine visits. To schedule an appointment, call the Katy, Texas office or request one online today.
OCD: Commonly Asked Questions
What Is OCD?
OCD leads to unwanted, uncontrollable thoughts known as obsessions. These obsessions create significant anxiety, prompting you to engage in ritualistic behaviors called compulsions.
While these compulsive behaviors may provide temporary relief from anxiety, the intrusive thoughts inevitably return, driving you to repeat the behaviors. This ongoing cycle of obsessions and compulsions can consume a considerable amount of time, ranging from one hour to most of the day, depending on the severity of your OCD.
What Types Of Thoughts Arise From OCD?
You may experience various obsessive thoughts, with some of the most common being:
- Fear of germs
- Fear of being harmed
- Need for order or symmetry
- Disturbing sexual thoughts
- Thoughts of violence or aggression
- Intrusive sounds, music, or words
While most individuals recognize that these obsessions are excessive and unreasonable, they often find it difficult to stop them from recurring.
What compulsive behaviors are associated with OCD?
You might engage in repetitive actions like repeating a phrase, counting, or going up and down stairs. Many compulsive behaviors often align with the themes of your obsessions. Here are a few examples:
Fear of Germs
If you have obsessive thoughts about germs, you might find yourself washing your hands frequently, taking multiple showers, or applying hand sanitizer repeatedly.Fear of Being Harmed
Obsessive thoughts about being harmed may lead to behaviors such as constantly checking that the stove is off or ensuring that doors and windows are locked. Even if you know you just checked, the urge to do it again can be overwhelming.- Need for Order and Symmetry
You may feel compelled to constantly rearrange items on a shelf or move furniture to ensure everything is perfectly in order.
How Is OCD Managed Or Treated??
At Fidelity Health and Psychiatry Services, your provider will discuss your symptoms and assess how much time you spend dealing with obsessions and compulsions. They will then conduct a psychiatric evaluation to confirm an OCD diagnosis.
Your treatment plan may include medication or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). OCD is often treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which, although primarily used as antidepressants, are also effective in managing OCD symptoms.
Several forms of CBT are highly effective in treating OCD, helping to disconnect obsessive thoughts from compulsive behaviors.
The team at Fidelity Health and Psychiatry Services has helped many adults manage and overcome OCD. Call the office or request an appointment online today for personalized care.
