NYC OCD treatment
OCD is a psychological disorder that involves obsessions, compulsions, or both. The terms “OCD” and “obsession” are often casually used in ways that differ from their technical meaning, but they refer to psychological symptoms defined below.
Obsessions are thoughts that feel intrusive and that are accompanied by significant anxiety. We typically experience these thoughts as unpleasant, and we try to get rid of them or avoid them. The most common obsessions involve one of three topics: blasphemy, violence, or sexual taboos. Obsessions are often experienced as “what if” thoughts — e.g., “what if I jumped out the window?” or “what if I lose control and attack my spouse?”
Compulsions are behaviors that are often driven by anxiety and that we have difficulty stopping, despite our efforts to do so. Common compulsions include handwashing, cleaning, checking and counting. However, compulsions can also be mental — for example, mentally retracing a conversation to make sure nothing rude was said; or attempting to recall some reassuring evidence that a fearful thought is not true.
When obsessions or compulsions are bad enough that they interfere with our ability to function, it is a good idea to seek a consultation with a professional. There are several effective treatment options for OCD including a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).