OCD

OCD services offered in Gurnee, IL

Approximately 1% of United States adults have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and about half suffer serious impairment from their condition. Ilya M. Ray, RN, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, and the team at Vibrant Integrative Psychiatry in Gurnee, Illinois, provide compassionate OCD treatment. To learn how you can improve your quality of life by managing OCD symptoms, call the office, or request an appointment online today.

OCD Q & A

What is OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD is a common condition that can come and go over a person’s lifetime. Everyone has experienced getting a song stuck in their head, then it eventually goes away and doesn’t come back – that’s not OCD.

OCD occurs when thoughts become obsessive, and you can’t get them out of your head no matter how hard you try. Sometimes that leads people to think or perform certain activities over and over (compulsions), trying to get relief from the anxiety related to those obsessive thoughts. Then the cycle starts all over again.

What are the symptoms of OCD?

The most common types of OCD are contamination/washing, doubt and checking, ordering and arranging, and unacceptable or taboo thoughts. Although these are the most common categories, everyone is an individual, and OCD can present differently.

OCD takes a lot of time out of life. The time spent on OCD-related obsessions and compulsions can affect many areas of a person’s life, including school, home, work, social life, relationships, and more. OCD is a life-altering condition that can be treated.

What are the risk factors for OCD?

While the cause of OCD isn’t clear, a family history of OCD, stressful life events and other mental health disorders are risk factors for developing it. For example, if you have depression, anxiety, tic disorders, or substance use disorder, you may be more likely also to have OCD.

How does my provider diagnose OCD?

Your Vibrant Integrative Psychiatry specialist diagnoses OCD after completing a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. They ask questions about your behaviors, thoughts, medical history, and lifestyle habits, as well as your family medical history. Your provider also screens you for additional mental health challenges.

How is OCD treated?

The standard OCD treatments include taking medications and undergoing psychotherapy. Vibrant Integrative Psychiatry offers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other highly effective therapies that help you properly manage bothersome OCD symptoms and live your best life.

To get screened or treated for OCD, call the Vibrant Integrative Psychiatry office to request an appointment today.