OCD
This is the page description.
common condition. uncommon care.
Although Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is common, many medical professionals often misidentify it, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment for individuals affected by the condition.
What is OCD?
no such thing as “a little OCD”
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health problem that can be very debilitating. OCD is more than a personality trait or catchphrase—it’s an extremely challenging condition that involves unwanted and intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors to cope with extreme anxiety or fear. OCD is considered chronic, and millions of people suffer with the effects of OCD around the world.
OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images or urges (obsessions) that cause distress, and repetitive actions or rituals (compulsions) done to relieve that distress. This relieve is temporary and the person with OCD will return to those repetitive behaviors or mental actions once the anxiety returns. This is known as the OCD Cycle. While doing compulsions can temporarily make you feel better, having OCD has far-reaching effects. It can strain relationships, make it hard to work or go to school, and disrupt your daily routine. Working with a therapist who is skilled at identifying even the most nuanced cases of OCD is important for receiving a correct diagnosis and adequate therapy for OCD.
Not Only Handwashing
There are different types of OCD with varying degrees of symptom severity and presentation. The most recognizable form of OCD is Contamination OCD, which involves fear of contamination and subsequent compulsive hand washing or cleaning. However, there are many subtypes of OCD and each subtype can be understood by understanding the broader category it falls into. There are four broad categories of OCD: Contamination, Responsibility for harm, injury or bad luck, Unacceptable/taboo thoughts, and Symmetry/Order and Completeness.
You Aren’t Alone
Approximately 2-3% of all people in the world have OCD in their lifetime, making it one of the most common psychological conditions. Yet, so many go untreated because their OCD symptoms are mistaken for something else. Studies show that it can take up to 17 years for someone with OCD to get the right diagnosis and treatment. By the time they finally get help, the OCD has significantly impacted that person’s life. That's why it's important to work with a professional who knows about OCD and can provide the right care.
Obsessive Thought —> “What if I accidentally push someone into traffic.”
Anxiety or other distress —> Fear, uncertainty, need to KNOW that it won’t occur or has not occurred.
Compulsive Behavior —> Frantically searching Google for news reports of people accidentally being pushed in your neighborhood; repeatedly seeking reassurance from family and friends; avoiding high traffic areas
Temporary Relief —> after doing these things, fear and uncertainty subside. Racing thoughts quiet. Relief comes and then returns within seconds, minutes, or even days or weeks.
Obsessive Thought returns, often through internal or external triggers, and the cycle repeats.
millions affected. fewer treated.
Davida Vaughn, LPC knows about OCD and can provide that care. Trained and educated by some of the foremost minds in the field, Davida understands that OCD creates incessant doubt and that, in the lives of those with the condition, the need for certainty leads to repeatedly seeking it out. OCD isn’t a ‘little’ or ‘mild’ thing that people choose to have. The obsessive thoughts are intrusive and unwanted, and the repetitive actions that often accompany them are not ‘quirky’ or humorous.
The training of therapists specializing in OCD treatment is crucial to ensure effective and compassionate care for individuals struggling with this challenging disorder.
Davida Vaughn, LPC has undergone extensive education and supervision to develop a strong theoretical foundation in the understanding and treatment of OCD. She is trained in evidence-based modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which are considered gold-standard treatments for OCD.
In ERP, you'll work with your therapist to face anxiety triggers and stop the OCD cycle in its tracks. Therapy starts with less overwhelming situations and progresses at your pace. Studies show that guided ERP is better than doing it alone and that most people see improvement in 12-20 sessions. ERP is better than meds alone and has longer-lasting results than other therapies.
