Over 8 million Americans are diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). At Lumina Psychiatry, we serve patients via telehealth appointments throughout New York and Oregon and offer effective solutions to help you manage your mental health and improve your quality of life. To schedule your OCD evaluation, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.
OCD is a chronic mental health condition characterized by the following:
These intrusive, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images cause significant anxiety or distress. Common themes include:
Most individuals with OCD recognize that these thoughts are irrational or excessive, yet still feel unable to control them.
Repetitive behaviors or mental rituals you perform to reduce anxiety, such as excessive handwashing or cleaning, repeated checking (locks, appliances, doors), counting, or silent repetition.
These cycles can become exhausting, time-consuming, and disruptive to daily life.
OCD isn’t simply being particular or detail-oriented. It differs because the thoughts are intrusive and distressing, and the behaviors feel driven or compulsory.
Symptoms can consume your time (often more than one hour daily), impacting your daily functioning, work, school, and relationships. OCD is a medical condition, not a personality trait, but it’s also highly treatable.
Consider professional evaluation if:
Early intervention often leads to better outcomes. If you experience thoughts of self-harm or feel unsafe, seek emergency care immediately.
After a thorough evaluation, your personalized care plan at Lumina Psychiatry may include:
The gold-standard treatment is exposure and response prevention (ERP), a specialized form of CBT. ERP involves:
This process retrains your brain and weakens the obsession-compulsion cycle.
Your provider may prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to reduce the intensity of obsessions and compulsions, particularly in moderate to severe cases.
Many patients benefit from a personalized plan that includes ERP, medication, and ongoing psychiatric support, especially if you have co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety.
If you suspect OCD, getting assessed is an essential first step. To schedule your OCD evaluation, call Lumina Psychiatry or book an appointment online today.