OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an often misunderstood mental health condition that can consume your everyday life. At Godwin Psychiatry in Goldsboro, North Carolina, board-certified psychiatrist and board-eligible internal medicine specialist Meredith Godwin, MD, aims to uncover the root cause of OCD and help you develop effective treatment strategies to manage your symptoms. Call today to learn more.

What is OCD?

OCD is an anxiety disorder that causes obsessions (intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors). Obsessions often lead to intense anxiety or distress, while compulsions are an attempt to relieve that anxiety or prevent a feared event or situation. 

While OCD varies in severity, it can significantly affect your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Godwin Psychiatry’s experienced psychiatric team can help you develop tools and strategies to manage your symptoms, regain control over your thoughts and behaviors, and improve your quality of life.

What are the signs of OCD?

Everyone experiences OCD differently, but common symptoms can include:

Obsessions

You may experience intrusive and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that cause significant anxiety or distress. These thoughts may seem irrational or unreasonable but are difficult to ignore.

Compulsions

OCD can compel you to perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts in response to your obsessions. 

These behaviors aim to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared event or situation. Common compulsions include repetitive hand washing, checking, counting, or arranging items in a specific way.

Need for rituals

You might feel a strong need to perform rituals or routines in a particular manner and become distressed if you can’t do so. These rituals may involve precise order, symmetry, or specific sequences of actions.

Time-consuming

Engaging in obsessions and compulsions can take up a significant part of your day, often interfering with other activities or responsibilities.

What causes OCD to flare up?

OCD is a long-term condition that can last a lifetime, but you may experience worsening symptoms when you feel stressed or overwhelmed. Major life changes such as new relationships, moving, or starting a new job can cause symptoms to flare up.

What are the treatments for OCD?

Treatments for OCD can vary depending on your condition’s severity and type of symptoms. OCD treatments that Godwin Psychiatry may recommend include:

• Medication management
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Support groups or peer counseling
• Lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise or other stress reduction techniques
• Relaxation techniques, such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or deep breathing exercises

OCD often responds well to a combination of treatments. Your psychiatrist can design a personalized treatment plan that targets your unique needs and goals.

Call Godwin Psychiatry today to schedule an OCD consultation.