OCD Treatment in Orange County, CA

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often portrayed as something humorous, with the person afflicted with it behaving in a silly manner as they try to follow some imaginary pattern or sequence that only they know of. People who have it though will be the first to say that there is nothing humorous about the condition. As of 2023, the National Institute of Mental Health (NMHI) has released data stating that OCD affects at least 1.2% of the US population, which translates into 2.5 million people. This is why there is a need for more programs that address the condition, much like the OCD treatment program in CA which is one of the foremost efforts in the state relevant to the issue.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a long-lasting disorder where a person experiences uncontrollable, re-occurring intrusive thoughts known as obsessions, and behaviors known as compulsions, or both. This mental health disorder can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. These intrusive thoughts, images, or urges trigger intensely distressing feelings and could be extremely disturbing to the person experiencing them.

Obsessions are the thoughts, images, or impulses that occur repeatedly. The worst part of this is that people with OCD realize that these thoughts are illogical, but are unable to do anything about it. Obsessions are usually accompanied by intense feelings such as fear, disgust, uncertainty, and doubt.

Compulsions are the uncontrollable urges of the person to do things in a certain manner or adhere to a specific pattern or sequence. Should the person not be able to follow these urges, or if exposed to a situation where the pattern or sequence is disrupted, they may be severely distressed and do their best to try to “fix” the disruption.

Many people don’t really understand just how forceful and influential OCD could be in a person’s life. A person who suffers from the condition cannot live a life of good quality mainly because their minds and bodies keep getting hijacked by the uncontrollable thoughts and urges that OCD brings. To most people who suffer from OCD, normal life is really not just possible, as they inevitably obey the dictates of the condition. We here at Alder Health offer an inpatient program and outpatient program in Orange County to help treat individuals for their mental health issues.

While it is a mental health issue, OCD has a very physical component to it as the person simply cannot resist the obsessions or compulsions that persistently interfere with their thoughts and actions. It is this physical component, manifested through the abnormal behavior of the person, that typically identifies the individual as having OCD. Unlike other forms of mental illness, people with OCD tend to follow a very specific pattern, which could be a series of actions that normal people do. However, in the case of someone with OCD, they tend to do it repeatedly, and with such attention to detail that it could appear to be ritualistic. Our CBT therapy is proven to be an effective method to treat OCD.

Some signs of obsessive behavior include:

• Fear of contamination or dirt
• Doubt or having difficulty tolerating uncertainty
• An intense need to have things orderly and symmetrical
• Aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control and/or harming self or others
• Unwanted thoughts with a particular focus on violence, sex, or religion
• Fear of being touched or touching objects or other people
• Persistent uncertainty (particularly related to locking doors, turning off the stove, or leaving the iron on and plugged)
• Intense stress when objects aren’t arranged in a certain way
• Intrusive and very specific thoughts (such as driving the car into a crowd of people)
• Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately in public
• Unpleasant sexual images
• The intense effort to avoid situations that could trigger obsessions, such as shaking hands, handling dirty things, and socializing)

The intense compulsions brought on creates a massive urge to act upon the emotional response generated by an obsession. This, however, is not just a simple reaction in response to an obsession but is done more to satisfy the compulsion. The reaction is peculiar in that it is carried out in a meticulous, careful, and superlative manner, making it far more complex than just a simple reaction. These compulsions prompt a person to engage in their “rituals” repeatedly, with people following their compulsions most of the day.

Much like the intrusive thoughts that plague a person brought on by obsessions, compulsions cannot be ignored nor denied, as they are simply too powerful and too persistent. It is not uncommon for the afflicted person to feel intense revulsion or even disgust at their own actions while following their compulsions. These compulsions could even get the person in trouble, as there are many instances where the compulsions lead the person to break the law just to satisfy the intense urge. As with obsessions, even the realization that the compulsions would lead to something illegal or illicit will not stop the person from doing it.

Some actions done due to compulsions include:

• An intense need to wash and clean
• Checking if things are alright, working properly, or damaged
• Counting (to see if the current number is still at “where it should be”)
• Strict need to ensure orderliness
• Carrying out a strict routine regardless of surrounding factors
• Demanding reassurance
• Hand-washing to the point of skin irritation
• Checking doors repeatedly to make sure they’re locked
• Silently repeating a prayer, word, or phrase
• Need to re-arrange items or displays

Even in this day and age, the matter of mental health is still a topic that many still don’t readily discuss, particularly if it involves mental illness of any sort. This evasion of the matter simply adds to the difficulty, which is why we here at Adler Health make a point to address, discuss, and ultimately help people with mental health treatment in Orange County for their mental health issues. There is hope for people looking for help with mental health issues, and all it takes is a visit to our facility. Talk to us now.