Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Conditions & Treatments

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is disorder in which a person experiences obsessions, compulsions, or both. Symptoms can cause extreme distress and interfere with daily life.

What Are the Symptoms of OCD?

Symptoms of OCD include both obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions are uncontrollable and recurring thoughts that cause anxiety. Common obsessions include:

Fear of germs
Difficulty dealing with uncertainty
Fear of forgetting something
Wanting to have everything in perfect order

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors, often in response to an obsessive thought. They often give temporary relief from anxiety. Common compulsions include:

Excessive handwashing
Excessive cleaning or arranging
Repeatedly checking things
Counting or repeating things silently

UR Medicine's Treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

How Is OCD Diagnosed?

OCD can occur alongside another mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Your healthcare provider will discuss your symptoms, thoughts, and behavior patterns. They may also ask to speak with family or friends to get a full sense of how your symptoms are interfering with daily life.

How Is OCD Treated?

There is no cure for OCD, but treatment can help you learn to manage symptoms so that they do not interfere severely with daily life. Your provider may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This involves learning to resist compulsions and manage obsessions through exposure and response prevention (ERP). Your provider may also suggest psychiatric medication, such as antidepressants.

What Sets Us Apart?

We provide care to patients with mental health conditions using a respectful, team-based approach. We integrate clinical care, teaching, and research into our treatment. We also work actively with the patient, their support system, and community care providers to develop the best plan possible for each individual.

The team’s leadership focuses on developing innovative systems for mental health care. As part of an academic medical center, we help educate the next generation of mental health professionals. We are a key training site for several multidisciplinary programs, including psychiatry fellowship programs and internship and post-doctorate training in clinical psychology.