Ocd inpatient treatment centers near me

Treatment Center for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms, Signs & Effects | Columbus, OH

At Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, our adult inpatient program offers treatment for a variety of mental health disorders, including OCD. Our commitment to personalized care means that when you receive treatment with us, you will have an experience that is tailored to your individual needs.

About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is commonly referred to as OCD, is a form of mental illness that is characterized by two types of symptoms:

Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress. Examples of obsessions include fear of becoming contaminated, worries that you may hurt yourself or others, or anxiety about having thoughts of forbidden or taboo topics. A person with OCD will attempt to suppress or ignore obsessions like these by engaging in alternative thought patterns or certain behaviors.
Compulsions are thought patterns or behaviors that a person feels forced to perform in order to reduce or alleviate distress. Examples of compulsions include frequent handwashing, checking and rechecking that a door has been locked or that a light has been turned off, silently repeating a word or series of words, and counting.

The symptoms of OCD can vary from person to person. Some people who have OCD only experience obsessions, some only have compulsions, and some develop both obsessions and compulsions. Whether they occur alone or in combination with each other, obsessions and compulsions can cause considerable anguish, and can also occupy a great deal of a person’s time.

When a person who has OCD gets appropriate professional treatment, their quality of life can improve. At Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, we can help you manage your OCD symptoms and overcome the negative impact that this treatable mental health disorder has had on your life.

What Are the Clinical Criteria for a Diagnosis of OCD?

People often use the words “obsession” and “compulsion” to describe issues that they are focused on or activities that they are enthusiastic about participating in. However, the informal use of these terms is quite different from how the words are defined by clinicians.

At respected treatment centers such as Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, mental health professionals base their diagnoses on information in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Commonly referred to as the DSM-5, this reference book lists signs, symptoms, and other criteria that must be met in order to accurately diagnose a person with a mental health disorder.

In the case of obsessive-compulsive disorder, the DSM-5 describes the nature and severity of thoughts that can be classified as obsessions and behaviors that can be classified as compulsions. The DSM-5 also establishes the duration that these obsessions or compulsions must persist, the degree of distress that a person must experience, the effects that may result, and other specifications that must be taken into consideration before a clinician can correctly diagnose a person with OCD.

It is extremely important to understand that a diagnosis of OCD can only be made by a qualified clinician. To be diagnosed with OCD, you must complete a thorough assessment, and the professional who conducts this assessment must evaluate your symptoms in relation to the criteria in the DSM-5. The professional must also ensure that your symptoms cannot be better explained by one of several alternative causes that are also described in the DSM-5.

You cannot diagnose yourself with OCD, nor can you be diagnosed by a friend or family member (unless, of course, your loved one is a trained and licensed clinician). If you suspect that you are experiencing symptoms of OCD, or if you believe that someone you care about is living with the effects of OCD, consult a qualified healthcare provider. Receiving an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward getting effective professional treatment for OCD.

Why Do People Suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Experts have yet to identify an exact cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Research suggests that OCD does not have one single cause. Instead, several genetic and environmental factors have been noted as potential causes of OCD. Factors such as the following can increase a person’s risk for developing OCD:

Trauma during childhood
Family history of OCD
Family history of other mental health disorders
Personal history of mental illness
Gender (among adults, OCD is slightly more common in women than in men)
Alterations in brain chemistry or functioning
Inherited characteristics such as behavioral inhibition or negative emotionality

Again, it is important to emphasize that none of the factors listed above will always, or even often, cause OCD. Many people who meet one or more of the criteria listed above never struggle with the signs, symptoms, or effects of OCD. However, these factors can increase the likelihood that a person may develop obsessive-compulsive disorder.

OCD Statistics

The following statistics about obsessive-compulsive disorder were reported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA):

About 2. 3% of adults in the United States will develop obsessive-compulsive disorder at some point in their lives.
A study that was published in 2007 revealed that about 1.8% of adult women and 0.5% of adult men had experienced symptoms of OCD in the previous 12 months.
Slightly more than 50% of adults who develop OCD will experience symptoms that meet the criteria for serious impairment as determined by the Sheehan Disability Scale.
The average age at which people first experience symptoms of OCD is 19.
About 33% of adults who have OCD first experienced symptoms during childhood.

Who Is Impacted by OCD?

Millions of adults struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. But the impact of OCD is not limited to the individuals who develop the disorder. Friends and family members can also be affected when someone they care about experiences the signs, symptoms, and effects of OCD.

It can be extremely valuable to choose an OCD treatment program that provides family therapy or other forms of support for loved ones. Family therapy and other types of family support can help friends and family members process how they’ve been impacted by their loved one’s struggles with OCD. Family programming can also teach family members how to be better sources of support during and after their loved one’s time in treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

At Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, our family programming encourages open and honest communication among individuals who are receiving treatment for OCD and their close friends and family members. This promotes a greater sense of unity and understanding, and empowers all participants to function in a healthier, more compassionate, and more productive manner with each other.

Signs, Symptoms, & Effects of OCD

Signs & Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

People who develop OCD can experience a variety of signs and symptoms. Even within the general categories of obsessions and compulsions, the signs and symptoms of OCD may vary greatly from person to person. In general, though, the following are among the more common signs and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder:

Obsessions:

Having an overwhelming fear of exposure to germs, dirt, or other forms of contamination
Feeling an intense need for order and symmetry, and experiencing considerable stress when things are out of order or otherwise not arranged properly
Experiencing intrusive unwanted mental images of harming yourself or someone else
Persistent doubts that you’ve forgotten to perform a basic household safety task, such as turning off the stove or locking a door
Developing a powerful fear that you will embarrass yourself or someone else by accidentally expressing an obscenity or otherwise speaking inappropriately
Experiencing significant distress due to unwanted and unpleasant sexual thoughts

Compulsions:

Needing to repetitively check and recheck that you’ve locked a door, turned off a light switch, or performed another household task before you can exit a room or leave the house
Constantly washing your hands, even when there is no hygienic reason to do so, to the point that you may rub your skin raw
Cleaning or organizing your house, office, or other environment far beyond what is necessary to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness and order
Showering multiple times per day without having a hygienic reason for doing so
Repeating certain words or phrases over and over again, either verbally or mentally
Counting or repeating certain numbers over and over again, either verbally or mentally
Unwillingness to shake hands or touch others due to contamination-related fears

If you or someone you care about has been demonstrating the signs and symptoms of OCD, Mount Carmel Behavioral Health can help.

Short-Term Effects of OCD

Untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder can lead to several short-term effects and a variety of long-term effects. When symptoms first appear, you may begin to experience the following short-term effects of OCD:

Strained relationships with family members, friends, colleagues, and others
Substandard performance at work or in school
Low self-confidence and diminished self-esteem
Onset of co-occurring mental health disorders
Substance abuse
Social withdrawal
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

The onset, intensity, and duration of the short-term effects of OCD can be very different from person to person. Describing these outcomes as short-term effects of OCD is not meant to imply that they are temporary, superficial, or otherwise not serious.

Anyone who experiences any short-term effects of OCD should consult a qualified behavioral healthcare provider. With the right care, you can overcome the short-term effects of OCD and avoid permanent harm.

Long-Term Effects of OCD

The longer you struggle with untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder, the greater your likelihood becomes of experiencing long-term effects of OCD. In the absence of proper care, the short-term effects of OCD that are listed in the previous section may persist and become more severe, while additional long-term effects of OCD may develop.

The following are among the potential long-term effects of OCD:

Ruined relationships
Academic failure
Job loss
Unemployment
Financial problems
Worsening of co-occurring mental health challenges
Addiction
Pervasive hopelessness or helplessness
Isolation
Self-harm
Suicidal thoughts and actions

The long-term effects of OCD can vary in terms of when they occur, how long they last, and what type of impact they have on your life. As with the short-term effects, anyone who experiences long-term effects of OCD should seek professional care.

When you get help for OCD at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, you minimize the likelihood that you will continue to suffer from the long-term effects of OCD. At our behavioral health hospital in Columbus, Ohio, you can learn to manage the symptoms of OCD and begin to heal from any short- or long-term harm that you’ve already experienced.

Co-Occurring Disorders

It’s not uncommon for a person to experience two or more mental or behavioral health disorders at the same time. One of the clinical terms for simultaneously occurring forms of mental illness is “co-occurring disorders.”

Adults who struggle with the signs, symptoms, and effects of obsessive-compulsive disorder may experience a wide range of co-occurring disorders, including the following:

Anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorder
Depressive disorders
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
Eating disorders
Body dysmorphic disorder

Please note that the relationship between OCD and the co-occurring disorders listed above can vary from person to person, and from disorder to disorder. In some cases, having OCD can raise your risk for the co-occurring disorders above. In other cases, developing one of these disorders can increase the likelihood that you will struggle with OCD.

What’s most important is that you get OCD treatment at a quality behavioral health hospital like Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio. We can identify and address any co-occurring disorders that have been impacting your life.

Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The Importance of Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

When you need, but do not get, treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, you can experience considerable harm in many areas of your life. The psychological and behavioral symptoms of OCD can undermine your personal, academic, professional, and social well-being.

Untreated symptoms of OCD can make it difficult for you to form and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. You may struggle to relate to friends, family members, fellow students, and professional colleagues. On a personal level, this can rob you of vital sources of support at a time when you may most need it. In school and at work, such problems can lead to diminished performance, academic failure, demotions, lack of advancement, job loss, and unemployment.

The symptoms of OCD, in combination with the strain of dealing with personal, academic, or professional setbacks, may push you into substance abuse in a misguided attempt to ease your pain. This can expose you to a host of additional problems, including physical harm, legal jeopardy, and addiction. You may also have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

When you get professional help at an OCD treatment center such as Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, you can avoid negative outcomes like these. While you’re receiving care in our behavioral health hospital in Columbus, Ohio, you can begin to heal from any negative effects of OCD that you have already experienced.

When you make the courageous decision to get inpatient treatment for OCD, you can achieve better health and improved quality of life.

Inpatient Treatment for OCD

Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder can occur at several levels. If you have been researching OCD treatment options for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to find a provider that offers the level of care that best meets your needs.

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, provides treatment for adults who are struggling with symptoms of various mental health concerns, including OCD, in our adult inpatient program. Inpatient treatment for OCD is a short-term experience that is designed to help you achieve stabilization. After completing inpatient treatment for OCD, you may return home or transition to a less intensive level of care.

Inpatient treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder is the optimal environment for people whose struggles with OCD have significantly impaired their ability to function. At our OCD treatment center, adults typically remain in our inpatient program for five to seven days. During this time, we offer an array of customized interventions to ease distress and increase our patients’ ability to manage their OCD symptoms.

During your time in inpatient treatment for OCD at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, you’ll be in a safe and supportive place. You’ll follow a structured schedule, and you’ll work with compassionate professionals who are committed to providing you with the personalized services that are right for you.

Once you’ve completed inpatient OCD treatment with us, your team will provide you with a detailed plan to guide the next steps in your recovery journey.

How to Get Help for OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a treatable condition. Unfortunately, many people who struggle with this disorder don’t get the professional help that can significantly improve their lives.

If you have been experiencing the signs and symptoms of OCD, or if someone in your life needs help for OCD, please consider the following:

Your safety or that of your loved one needs to be your top concern. Self-harm and suicidal thoughts are potential effects of OCD. If you believe that you or your loved one may be in imminent danger, get help immediately. Dial 911, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255), or contact an emergency responder in your community.
Research the signs, symptoms, and effects of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Also, educate yourself about OCD treatment options, and identify OCD treatment centers in the Columbus, Ohio, area that may be the best fit for you or your loved one. Understanding the scope of the challenge and finding providers that appear to offer the type and level of care you need are important steps toward getting effective help for OCD.
If you’re looking for an OCD treatment center in Columbus, Ohio, for a friend or family member, be sure to keep the lines of communication open with your loved one. Express your concerns, emphasize your love and support, and share the information you’ve found. Having these conversations may be difficult, but they are vital. Before, during, and after OCD treatment, support from loved ones can make a considerable positive difference.
Contact the OCD treatment centers that you’ve identified. When you call Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, a member of our team will be available to speak with you 24/7. We can answer all your questions and provide you with specific details about how we can help you or your loved one. Any reputable OCD treatment center will be happy to provide you with all the information you need so that you can make the best decisions.
If you or your loved one is ready to get help for OCD at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, we can start the admissions process while you’re on the phone. If your loved one has been resisting your suggestions about getting professional treatment for OCD, we can give you advice about possible next steps.

Remember that inpatient treatment for OCD is just one part of the recovery journey. Set reasonable goals, manage your expectations, and prepare to make a sustained effort to achieve long-term success.

What to Expect During OCD Treatment

Our commitment to personalized care means that when you receive treatment in our adult inpatient program, you will have an experience that is tailored to your needs. However, every person who heals with us can expect certain fundamental elements and features, such as the following:

An efficient admissions process – The goal of our admissions process is to get you into treatment with minimal delay. You may be able to start your admissions process over the phone. We’ll collect some basic information about your needs and treatment history. We will confirm your insurance coverage or verify alternate means of funding your care. Most importantly, we’ll answer any questions you have. Then we’ll set a date for you to begin treatment.
A thorough assessment – One of your first experiences after being admitted will be to complete a thorough assessment. This will involve working with members of your treatment team to ensure that they have a full understanding of your needs, preferences, and goals. The information that’s gathered during your assessment will form the foundation of your personalized treatment plan.
A customized treatment experience – Throughout your time with us, your team will continue to monitor your OCD treatment plan. When necessary, they will adjust this plan to make sure that you are always receiving the services and support you need to achieve your goals. At our behavioral health hospital in Columbus, Ohio, you’ll be encouraged to play an active role in your OCD treatment. Your team will carefully consider your suggestions and feedback, and will respect your strength, voice, and perspective.
A detailed discharge plan – Your discharge plan will identify the services and resources that will help you maintain and build upon the progress you make while in inpatient OCD treatment with us. As with all other aspects of your treatment experience, your discharge plan will be customized to ensure that you are best prepared to achieve continued success.

To learn more about what you can expect while you’re in treatment for OCD at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, please contact us at your convenience. We’ll be happy to discuss specific elements of care so that you can decide if our OCD treatment center is the perfect place for you or a loved one.

Types of Therapy in OCD Treatment

We believe that comprehensive, customized treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder puts people in the best position to achieve true and lasting healing. Depending upon several individual factors, your personalized OCD treatment plan may include the following elements:

Medical care – Our staff includes certified nurse practitioners who can provide general medical services below the crisis level. If your struggles with OCD are accompanied by certain medical issues, we may be able to provide the care that you need. Please contact us directly for detailed information about our ability to meet your medical needs within our OCD treatment program.
Medication management – Certain prescription medications can alleviate or help you manage symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. If our psychiatrist determines that you can benefit from prescription medication, you can receive medication management services during your time in our OCD treatment center. Patients who receive medication management services have daily meetings with a psychiatrist and receive additional support from advanced practice nurses.
Individual therapy – One-on-one sessions with an experienced therapist can be optimal opportunities for you to process treatment-related successes and setbacks, address issues you may be hesitant to bring up in a group setting, and receive focused feedback from a member of your treatment team. Individual therapy sessions can be scheduled as needed throughout your time in our inpatient OCD treatment program.
Group therapy – Groups are valuable components of treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health. We offer both process groups and educational groups. Examples of group topics include life skills, coping skills, communication, medications and diagnoses, emotional regulation, and handling traumatic life events. Groups are safe and supportive forums in which you can share your thoughts, learn from the experiences of others, and practice healthy communication skills, all under the guidance of an experienced professional.
Family therapy – Family members and close friends can be sources of vital support during and after your time in treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Family therapy sessions can help you and your loved ones process the impact of OCD, learn about OCD treatment, and develop stronger bonds with one another. Family therapy sessions can be scheduled on an as-needed basis while you’re healing from OCD at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health.
Experiential therapy – Experiential therapy is a category that includes several dynamic activities through which you can interact with your environment, collaborate with others, and engage with your thoughts or feelings. As a complement to more traditional forms of talk therapy, experiential therapy can provide you with a new perspective from which to view the world, as well as new ways to process your experiences and express yourself.

We also offer detailed discharge planning services for each person who completes our inpatient OCD treatment program. Discharge planning and continuing care for obsessive-compulsive disorder are addressed in greater detail in the “What Happens After OCD Treatment” section below.

The Cost of Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The cost of OCD treatment can vary considerably depending upon a variety of factors. The type, level, frequency, and duration of services can all influence the cost of OCD treatment. Unfortunately, many people hesitate to seek professional care because they worry about the cost of treatment for OCD.

Among the many benefits of participating in inpatient treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is that we will work with you to resolve any concerns that you have about the cost of OCD treatment.

Once we’ve identified the elements that will be included in your personalized plan, we can provide you with a complete and accurate understanding of all costs associated with OCD treatment at our behavioral health hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

If you are using insurance to pay for your OCD treatment, our experts can coordinate directly with your provider to confirm your coverage and access your benefits. If you are paying with personal funds, we’ll address all payment matters prior to starting care. Thus, once you’ve begun to receive inpatient treatment for OCD, you won’t have to worry about any financial matters and can focus fully on your health.

Don’t let worries or fears about the cost of OCD treatment stop you from contacting us. We’ll provide the answers and guidance you need so that you can make the most informed decisions for yourself and your family.

What Happens After OCD Treatment

What Happens After I Complete Treatment for OCD?

When you enter inpatient OCD treatment at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, our general objective will be to help you achieve the level of stabilization that will allow you to return home or step down to a less intensive level of care.

You can make significant progress during the short time you’re in our OCD treatment center, but we know that your healing will continue after you’ve completed your time with us. What happens after your OCD treatment will depend upon your needs and goals, as well as the gains you achieve while in our care.

When you complete OCD treatment at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, you’ll receive a detailed discharge plan. That plan may include referrals to facilities that provide care at the partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or traditional outpatient levels. It may also include information about community-based organizations, support groups, and other resources that can help you in the weeks and months to come.

Your time in inpatient treatment at our behavioral health center in Columbus, Ohio, can be a significant step on your recovery journey. After you complete OCD treatment with us, your discharge plan will help make your next steps as productive as they can be.

Learn About Continuing Care for OCD

The day you enter our inpatient OCD treatment program, your team will begin to develop a plan to guide your continued recovery after you transition out of our care.

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, offers OCD treatment only at the inpatient level. However, depending upon your goals and progress with us, your continuing care plan may include a referral to a program that offers one of the following levels of care:

Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – Providers that offer OCD treatment at the PHP level typically provide services Mondays through Fridays during the day. Evenings and weekends, you can return home or live in a supported residence.
Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – If you receive care for OCD at the IOP level, you’ll most likely take part in treatment two to four days per week, for two or three hours each day. The scope and structure of IOP can vary considerably from facility to facility.
Traditional outpatient services – Traditional outpatient services for OCD can take many forms. This category includes individual, group, and family therapy sessions, scheduled at the frequency that’s best for you.

In addition to the professional services listed above, continuing care for OCD can also involve participation in peer-directed support groups. Your OCD treatment team at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health can help you identify local support groups in your community.

How to Maintain Your Mental Health After Completing Treatment for OCD

During your time at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, you will learn strategies to help you maintain your mental health after completing treatment for OCD. Overcoming the short-term and long-term effects of OCD will take time. Your willingness to incorporate these strategies into your daily life will help you make continued progress.

Self-care is an important part of maintaining your mental health after completing treatment for OCD. In addition to following your discharge plan, paying attention to the following three areas can keep you on a positive path:

Physical health – Your mental health can affect your physical well-being, and vice versa. If you fail to follow a nutritious diet, exercise appropriately, or get enough sleep, your mental health can suffer along with your physical strength and stamina. On the other hand, when you tend to your physical health, you may also experience emotional and psychological benefits.
Personal support – One of the effects of OCD is that it can be difficult to maintain healthy personal relationships. During your time at our OCD treatment center in Columbus, Ohio, we’ll help you address the challenges that may have undermined your relationships with friends or family members. Getting help from your loved ones and being capable of offering support to people you care about are important elements of a healthy and satisfying life. Staying connected with others can have a tremendous positive impact on your mental health.
Professional help – One of the most important lessons you can learn while in treatment for OCD is that getting professional help is not a sign of failure. Reaching out when you need a hand shows that you are committed to your health and that you’re willing to take the steps you need to overcome the effects of OCD. After you’ve completed our inpatient OCD treatment program, you may experience challenges that require additional professional help. Remember that setbacks don’t equate to failure. Stay positive, get help when you need it, and keep working toward the healthier future you deserve.

About Our Treatment Center

Who Do We Treat?

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, provides comprehensive inpatient OCD treatment for adults age 18 and above.

Our inpatient programming is designed for adults whose struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder have had a significant impact on their ability to function in a healthy and productive manner. Inpatient care for OCD at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is a short-term experience, with the goal of helping you achieve stabilization so you can return home or transition to a step-down level of care.

All admissions decisions for our inpatient OCD treatment program are made on a case-by-case basis following a thorough review of each potential patient’s needs and treatment history. If at any point prior to admission we determine that Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is not the best place for you, we’ll work with you and your family to make the most appropriate referral.

Where Are We Located?

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is an 80-bed inpatient OCD treatment center in Columbus, Ohio. We’re located on Hilton Corporate Drive on the east side of Columbus, not far from where Interstate 70 connects with Interstate 270.

Our convenient location in central Ohio means we’re easily accessible from Pickerington, Dublin, Grove City, Westerville, and a host of additional communities in and around the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville metropolitan area.

Our OCD treatment center is a safe and supportive environment for patients. It is also a welcoming place for friends, family members, and other visitors. Features include comfortable patient rooms, superior clinical areas, and inviting spaces in which to relax and reflect.

Our Affiliations & Accreditations

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is committed to playing a leading role in the effort to establish and maintain the highest standards in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and other mental health disorders.

We’re proud to be accredited by or affiliated with other agencies and organizations that are also working to ensure that individuals and families in need have access to accurate information and quality care:

The Joint Commission – The Joint Commission is a not-for-profit organization that provides independent accreditation and certification services for healthcare providers throughout the United States. As stated on The Joint Commission’s website, the organization’s mission is to “continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. ”
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) – This agency oversees statewide efforts to prevent and treat mental illness and chemical dependency, and to support those who are in recovery. OhioMHAS is also responsible for certifying, licensing, and regulating mental health service providers throughout the state of Ohio.
Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) – Founded as the Ohio State Medical Society in 1846, OSMA promotes physician leadership and education, advocates for medical liability reform and other political issues, and provides guidance to professionals and organizations throughout the state.

The Importance of Selecting a Local OCD Treatment Center Near Columbus

One of the many benefits of receiving inpatient treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder is that you can focus on your health. While you’re in treatment, you do not have to deal with the stresses and pressures of everyday life. You’ll follow a structured schedule, receive close personal attention, and get the comprehensive support you need to overcome the symptoms and effects of OCD.

But what happens after you’ve completed treatment? When you choose a local OCD treatment center near Columbus, Ohio, you can receive post-treatment guidance from professionals who understand our community and are familiar with the best sources of continued support.

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health has deep roots in Columbus, Ohio. We are honored to call central Ohio our home, and we intend to remain a positive member of this community for years to come.

Through the decades, we’ve formed beneficial professional relationships with other respected behavioral healthcare providers in the area. This means that we can include referrals to thoroughly vetted programs and professionals in your discharge plan. Also, if you ever need additional inpatient care for OCD, Mount Carmel Behavioral Health will be here for you.

Why Choose Mount Carmel Behavioral Health for Help with OCD?

The best way to decide if Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is the best place for you or a loved one is to contact us. The more we know about your needs and expectations, the better we’ll be able to discuss how we can help.

Until we’re able to speak with you in person, here are three features of our OCD treatment center that have proved to be especially beneficial to other individuals and families:

Comprehensive inpatient care – When you choose Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a broad scope of therapeutic interventions. These comprehensive services will address your struggles with OCD, as well as any co-occurring disorders that you’ve been dealing with. Inpatient care at our OCD treatment center in Columbus, Ohio, is designed to provide solutions for all the mental and behavioral health issues that have been undermining your efforts to live a healthier life.
Personalized services – Our commitment to comprehensive care is complemented by our dedication to providing personalized treatment. Every element of your time in OCD treatment with us will be customized to best meet your needs. At Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, you’ll get focused care, provided in the manner that best suits you, so that you can achieve your goals and overcome the short- and long-term effects of OCD.
Teams of experienced and compassionate professionals – The day you arrive at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, you join a dedicated team of experts who are committed to helping you. Our treatment professionals bring a wide range of skills and a rich history of training and experience to our behavioral health hospital. You bring a unique perspective and an intimate understanding of the challenges you’ve been facing. Together, you and your team of professionals will develop the solutions that put you on the path toward continued success.

To learn more about the many reasons why Mount Carmel Behavioral Health may be the perfect choice for you or a loved one, call us today. A member of our team is available to answer all your questions about OCD treatment or any other elements of care at our behavioral health hospital in Columbus, Ohio. We look forward to helping you make the most informed decision for yourself or your loved one.

Best Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Rehab Centers of 2022 (with Pricing)

As an independent resource, we list each center that matches our luxury criteria, so those looking for the best treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have a comprehensive list of options.

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Canada

Europe

Florida

Texas

United States

Malibu, California, United States

Paradigm Teen Treatment is a teen and young adult rehab (ages 12-26) committed to treating mental health conditions.

Austin, Texas, United States

Set in the scenic Texas hill country, a residential program specialized in treating adolescents ages 12-17 with mental health concerns.

Adolescents
Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment
Customized Treatment Plans
4+ Individual Sessions a Week

Bristol, United Kingdom

No Reviews

A leading treatment center for individuals, couples and their families struggling with mental health and addiction concerns providing fast access to treatment.

Bromley, United Kingdom

No Reviews

A leading mental health and addiction center providing adults and young adults with tailored treatment plans in a peaceful countryside setting.

Costa Mesa, California, United States

No Reviews

A client-centered program that offers residential treatment and flexible outpatient programing for those looking for individualized mental health treatment.

Dublin, Ireland

No Reviews

Uses TMS treatment, a non-invasive and medication-free solution for depression, addiction, and other mental health conditions.

Los Angeles, California, United States

No Reviews

A sophisticated mental health care facility that offers flexible outpatient services and supportive housing in a cozy environment.

Chattarpur, New Delhi, India

No Reviews

Door of Hope specializes in the accurate diagnosis, treatment and management of a wide range of mental health conditions and addiction using a holistic approach.

Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, Canada

No Reviews

Offering two homes on 110 acres, Ledgehill provides holistic, evidence-based treatment with trauma programming for military, veterans, and first responders.

Lickey, Birmingham, United Kingdom

No Reviews

Priory treats a wide range of mental health challenges using personalized treatment plans and flexible programming in a newly remodeled facility.

Stockbridge, Massachusetts, United States

No Reviews

Austen Riggs Center uses a Therapeutic Community approach and Intensive Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for complex psychiatric problems.

South Kensington, London, United Kingdom

No Reviews

Smart TMS uses TMS treatment, a non-invasive and medication-free solution for depression, addiction, and other mental health conditions.

East Sussex, United Kingdom

No Reviews

Tucked away in the quiet countryside, a 9-bed private mental health centre providing fast entry, evidence-based care for obsessive compulsive disorder.

South West London, England, UK

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In a welcoming and therapeutic environment, Wimbledon provides flexible outpatient programming for obsessive compulsive disorder.

Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder

A significant role among mental illnesses is played by syndromes (complexes of symptoms), united in the group of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which received its name from the Latin terms obsessio and compulsio.

Obsession (lat. obsessio - taxation, siege, blockade).

Compulsions (lat. compello - I force). 1. Obsessive drives, a kind of obsessive phenomena (obsessions). Characterized by irresistible attraction that arises contrary to the mind, will, feelings. Often they are unacceptable to the patient, contrary to his moral and ethical properties. Unlike impulsive drives, compulsions are not realized. These drives are recognized by the patient as wrong and painfully experienced by them, especially since their very appearance, due to its incomprehensibility, often gives rise to a feeling of fear in the patient 2. The term compulsions is also used in a broader sense to refer to any obsessions in the motor sphere, including obsessive rituals.

In domestic psychiatry, obsessive states were understood as psychopathological phenomena, characterized by the fact that phenomena of a certain content repeatedly appear in the mind of the patient, accompanied by a painful feeling of compulsion [Zinoviev PM, 193I]. For N.s. characteristic involuntary, even against the will, the emergence of obsessions with clear consciousness. Although the obsessions are alien, extraneous in relation to the patient's psyche, the patient is not able to get rid of them. They are closely related to the emotional sphere, accompanied by depressive reactions, anxiety. Being symptomatic, according to S.L. Sukhanov [1912], "parasitic", they do not affect the course of intellectual activity in general, remain alien to thinking, do not lead to a decrease in its level, although they worsen the efficiency and productivity of the patient's mental activity. Throughout the course of the disease, a critical attitude is maintained towards obsessions. N.s. conditionally divided into obsessions in the intellectual-affective (phobia) and motor (compulsions) spheres, but most often several of their types are combined in the structure of the disease of obsessions. The isolation of obsessions that are abstract, affectively indifferent, indifferent in their content, for example, arrhythmomania, is rarely justified; An analysis of the psychogenesis of a neurosis often makes it possible to see a pronounced affective (depressive) background at the basis of the obsessive account. Along with elementary obsessions, the connection of which with psychogeny is obvious, there are “cryptogenic” ones, when the cause of painful experiences is hidden [Svyadoshch L.M., 1959]. N.s. are observed mainly in individuals with a psychasthenic character. This is where apprehensions are especially characteristic. In addition, N.S. occur within the framework of neurosis-like states with sluggish schizophrenia, endogenous depressions, epilepsy, the consequences of a traumatic brain injury, somatic diseases, mainly hypochondria-phobic or nosophobic syndrome. Some researchers distinguish the so-called. "Neurosis of obsessive states", which is characterized by the predominance of obsessive states in the clinical picture - memories that reproduce a psychogenic traumatic situation, thoughts, fears, actions. In genesis play a role: mental trauma; conditioned reflex stimuli that have become pathogenic due to their coincidence with others that previously caused a feeling of fear; situations that have become psychogenic due to the confrontation of opposing tendencies [Svyadoshch A.M., 1982]. It should be noted that these same authors emphasize that N.s.c. occurs with various character traits, but most often in psychasthenic personalities.

Currently, almost all obsessive-compulsive disorders are united in the International Classification of Diseases under the concept of "obsessive-compulsive disorder".

OKR concepts have undergone a fundamental reassessment over the past 15 years. During this time, the clinical and epidemiological significance of OCD has been completely revised. If it was previously thought that this is a rare condition observed in a small number of people, now it is known that OCD is common and causes a high percentage of morbidity, which requires the urgent attention of psychiatrists around the world. Parallel to this, our understanding of the etiology of OCD has broadened: the vaguely formulated psychoanalytic definition of the past two decades has been replaced by a neurochemical paradigm that explores the neurotransmitter disorders that underlie OCD. And most importantly, pharmacological interventions specifically targeting serotonergic neurotransmission have revolutionized the prospects for recovery for millions of OCD patients worldwide.

The discovery that intense serotonin reuptake inhibition (SSRI) was the key to effective treatment for OCD was the first step in a revolution and spurred clinical research that showed the efficacy of such selective inhibitors.

As described in ICD-10, the main features of OCD are repetitive intrusive (obsessive) thoughts and compulsive actions (rituals).

In a broad sense, the core of OCD is the syndrome of obsession, which is a condition with a predominance in the clinical picture of feelings, thoughts, fears, memories that arise in addition to the desire of patients, but with awareness of their pain and a critical attitude towards them. Despite the understanding of the unnaturalness, illogicality of obsessions and states, patients are powerless in their attempts to overcome them. Obsessional impulses or ideas are recognized as alien to the personality, but as if coming from within. Obsessions can be the performance of rituals designed to alleviate anxiety, such as washing hands to combat "pollution" and to prevent "infection". Attempts to drive away unwelcome thoughts or urges can lead to severe internal struggle, accompanied by intense anxiety.

Obsessions in the ICD-10 are included in the group of neurotic disorders.

The prevalence of OCD in the population is quite high. According to some data, it is determined by an indicator of 1.5% (meaning "fresh" cases of diseases) or 2-3%, if episodes of exacerbations observed throughout life are taken into account. Those suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder make up 1% of all patients receiving treatment in psychiatric institutions. It is believed that men and women are affected approximately equally.

CLINICAL PICTURE

The problem of obsessive-compulsive disorders attracted the attention of clinicians as early as the beginning of the 17th century. They were first described by Platter in 1617. In 1621 E. Barton described an obsessive fear of death. Mentions of obsessions are found in the writings of F. Pinel (1829). I. Balinsky proposed the term "obsessive ideas", which took root in Russian psychiatric literature. In 1871, Westphal coined the term "agoraphobia" to refer to the fear of being in public places. M. Legrand de Sol [1875], analyzing the features of the dynamics of OCD in the form of "insanity of doubt with delusions of touch, points to a gradually becoming more complicated clinical picture - obsessive doubts are replaced by ridiculous fears of" touch "to surrounding objects, motor rituals join, the fulfillment of which is subject to the whole life sick. However, only at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. researchers were able to more or less clearly describe the clinical picture and give syndromic characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorders. The onset of the disease usually occurs in adolescence and adolescence. The maximum of clinically defined manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder is observed in the age range of 10-25 years.

Main clinical manifestations of OCD:

Obsessional thoughts - painful, arising against the will, but recognized by the patient as their own, ideas, beliefs, images, which in a stereotyped form forcibly invade the patient's consciousness and which he tries to resist in some way. It is this combination of an inner sense of compulsive urge and efforts to resist it that characterizes obsessional symptoms, but of the two, the degree of effort exerted is the more variable. Obsessional thoughts may take the form of single words, phrases, or lines of poetry; they are usually unpleasant to the patient and may be obscene, blasphemous, or even shocking.

Obsessional imagery is vivid scenes, often violent or disgusting, including, for example, sexual perversion.

Obsessional impulses are urges to do things that are usually destructive, dangerous or shameful; for example, jumping into the road in front of a moving car, injuring a child, or shouting obscene words while in society.

Obsessional rituals include both mental activities (eg, counting in a particular way, or repeating certain words) and repetitive but meaningless acts (eg, washing hands twenty or more times a day). Some of them have an understandable connection with the obsessive thoughts that preceded them, for example, repeated washing of hands - with thoughts of infection. Other rituals (for example, regularly laying out clothes in some complex system before putting them on) do not have such a connection. Some patients feel an irresistible urge to repeat such actions a certain number of times; if that fails, they are forced to start all over again. Patients are invariably aware that their rituals are illogical and usually try to hide them. Some fear that such symptoms are a sign of the onset of insanity. Both obsessive thoughts and rituals inevitably lead to problems in daily activities.

Obsessive rumination (“mental chewing gum”) is an internal debate in which arguments for and against even the simplest everyday actions are endlessly reconsidered. Some obsessive doubts relate to actions that may have been incorrectly performed or not completed, such as turning off the gas stove faucet or locking the door; others concern actions that could harm other people (for example, the possibility of driving past a cyclist in a car, knocking him down). Sometimes doubts are associated with a possible violation of religious prescriptions and rituals - “remorse of conscience”.

Compulsive actions - repetitive stereotypical actions, sometimes acquiring the character of protective rituals. The latter are aimed at preventing any objectively unlikely events that are dangerous for the patient or his relatives.

In addition to the above, in a number of obsessive-compulsive disorders, a number of well-defined symptom complexes stand out, and among them are obsessive doubts, contrasting obsessions, obsessive fears - phobias (from the Greek phobos).

Obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals may intensify in certain situations; for example, obsessive thoughts about harming other people often become more persistent in the kitchen or some other place where knives are kept. Since patients often avoid such situations, there may be a superficial resemblance to the characteristic avoidance pattern found in phobic anxiety disorder. Anxiety is an important component of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Some rituals reduce anxiety, while after others it increases. Obsessions often develop as part of depression. In some patients, this appears to be a psychologically understandable reaction to obsessive-compulsive symptoms, but in other patients, recurrent episodes of depressive mood occur independently.

Obsessions (obsessions) are divided into figurative, or sensual, accompanied by the development of affect (often painful) and obsession of affectively neutral content.

Sensual obsessions include obsessive doubts, memories, ideas, drives, actions, fears, an obsessive feeling of antipathy, an obsessive fear of habitual actions.

Obsessive doubts - persistently arising contrary to logic and reason, uncertainty about the correctness of the actions being performed and committed. The content of doubts is different: obsessive everyday fears (whether the door is locked, whether windows or water taps are closed tightly enough, whether gas and electricity are turned off), doubts related to official activities (whether this or that document is written correctly, whether the addresses on business papers are mixed up , whether inaccurate figures are indicated, whether orders are correctly formulated or executed), etc. Despite repeated verification of the committed action, doubts, as a rule, do not disappear, causing psychological discomfort in the person suffering from this kind of obsession.

Obsessive memories include persistent, irresistible painful memories of any sad, unpleasant or shameful events for the patient, accompanied by a feeling of shame, repentance. They dominate the mind of the patient, despite the efforts and efforts not to think about them.

Obsessive inclinations - urges to commit one or another tough or extremely dangerous action, accompanied by a feeling of horror, fear, confusion with the inability to get rid of it. The patient is seized, for example, by the desire to throw himself under a passing train or push a loved one under it, to kill his wife or child in an extremely cruel way. At the same time, patients are painfully afraid that this or that action will be implemented.

Manifestations of obsessive ideas can be different. In some cases, this is a vivid "vision" of the results of obsessive drives, when patients imagine the result of a cruel act committed. In other cases, obsessive ideas, often referred to as mastering, appear in the form of implausible, sometimes absurd situations that patients take for real. An example of obsessive ideas is the patient's conviction that the buried relative was alive, and the patient painfully imagines and experiences the suffering of the deceased in the grave. At the height of obsessive ideas, the consciousness of their absurdity, implausibility disappears and, on the contrary, confidence in their reality appears. As a result, obsessions acquire the character of overvalued formations (dominant ideas that do not correspond to their true meaning), and sometimes delusions.

An obsessive feeling of antipathy (as well as obsessive blasphemous and blasphemous thoughts) - unjustified, driven away by the patient from himself antipathy towards a certain, often close person, cynical, unworthy thoughts and ideas in relation to respected people, in religious persons - in relation to saints or ministers churches.

Obsessive actions - actions performed against the wishes of patients, despite the efforts made to restrain them. Some of the obsessive actions burden the patients until they are realized, others are not noticed by the patients themselves. Obsessive actions are painful for patients, especially in those cases when they become the object of attention of others.

Obsessive fears, or phobias, include an obsessive and senseless fear of heights, large streets, open or confined spaces, large crowds of people, the fear of sudden death, the fear of falling ill with one or another incurable disease. Some patients may develop a wide variety of phobias, sometimes acquiring the character of fear of everything (panphobia). And finally, an obsessive fear of the emergence of fears (phobophobia) is possible.

Hypochondriacal phobias (nosophobia) - an obsessive fear of some serious illness. Most often, cardio-, stroke-, syphilo- and AIDS phobias are observed, as well as the fear of the development of malignant tumors. At the peak of anxiety, patients sometimes lose their critical attitude to their condition - they turn to doctors of the appropriate profile, require examination and treatment. The implementation of hypochondriacal phobias occurs both in connection with psycho- and somatogenic (general non-mental illnesses) provocations, and spontaneously. As a rule, hypochondriacal neurosis develops as a result, accompanied by frequent visits to doctors and unreasonable medication.

Specific (isolated) phobias - obsessive fears limited to a strictly defined situation - fear of heights, nausea, thunderstorms, pets, treatment at the dentist, etc. Since contact with situations that cause fear is accompanied by intense anxiety, the patients tend to avoid them.

Obsessive fears are often accompanied by the development of rituals - actions that have the meaning of "magic" spells that are performed, despite the critical attitude of the patient to obsession, in order to protect against one or another imaginary misfortune: before starting any important business, the patient must perform some that specific action to eliminate the possibility of failure. Rituals can, for example, be expressed in snapping fingers, playing a melody to the patient or repeating certain phrases, etc. In these cases, even relatives are not aware of the existence of such disorders. Rituals, combined with obsessions, are a fairly stable system that usually exists for many years and even decades.

Obsessions of affective-neutral content - obsessive sophistication, obsessive counting, recalling neutral events, terms, formulations, etc. Despite their neutral content, they burden the patient, interfere with his intellectual activity.

Contrasting obsessions ("aggressive obsessions") - blasphemous, blasphemous thoughts, fear of harming oneself and others. Psychopathological formations of this group refer mainly to figurative obsessions with pronounced affective saturation and ideas that take possession of the consciousness of patients. They are distinguished by a sense of alienation, the absolute lack of motivation of the content, as well as a close combination with obsessive drives and actions. Patients with contrasting obsessions and complain of an irresistible desire to add endings to the replicas they have just heard, giving an unpleasant or threatening meaning to what has been said, to repeat after those around them, but with a touch of irony or malice, phrases of religious content, to shout out cynical words that contradict their own attitudes and generally accepted morality. , they may experience fear of losing control of themselves and possibly committing dangerous or ridiculous actions, injuring themselves or their loved ones. In the latter cases, obsessions are often combined with object phobias (fear of sharp objects - knives, forks, axes, etc. ). The contrasting group also partially includes obsessions of sexual content (obsessions of the type of forbidden ideas about perverted sexual acts, the objects of which are children, representatives of the same sex, animals).

Obsessions of pollution (mysophobia). This group of obsessions includes both the fear of pollution (earth, dust, urine, feces and other impurities), as well as the fear of penetration into the body of harmful and toxic substances (cement, fertilizers, toxic waste), small objects (glass fragments, needles, specific types of dust), microorganisms. In some cases, the fear of contamination can be limited, remain at the preclinical level for many years, manifesting itself only in some features of personal hygiene (frequent change of linen, repeated washing of hands) or in housekeeping (thorough handling of food, daily washing of floors). , "taboo" on pets). This kind of monophobia does not significantly affect the quality of life and is evaluated by others as habits (exaggerated cleanliness, excessive disgust). Clinically manifested variants of mysophobia belong to the group of severe obsessions. In these cases, gradually becoming more complex protective rituals come to the fore: avoiding sources of pollution and touching "unclean" objects, processing things that could get dirty, a certain sequence in the use of detergents and towels, which allows you to maintain "sterility" in the bathroom. Stay outside the apartment is also furnished with a series of protective measures: going out into the street in special clothing that covers the body as much as possible, special processing of wearable items upon returning home. In the later stages of the disease, patients, avoiding pollution, not only do not go out, but do not even leave their own room. In order to avoid contacts and contacts that are dangerous in terms of contamination, patients do not allow even their closest relatives to come near them. Mysophobia is also related to the fear of contracting a disease, which does not belong to the categories of hypochondriacal phobias, since it is not determined by fears that a person suffering from OCD has a particular disease. In the foreground is the fear of a threat from the outside: the fear of pathogenic bacteria entering the body. Hence the development of appropriate protective actions.

A special place in the series of obsessions is occupied by obsessive actions in the form of isolated, monosymptomatic movement disorders. Among them, especially in childhood, tics predominate, which, unlike organically conditioned involuntary movements, are much more complex motor acts that have lost their original meaning. Tics sometimes give the impression of exaggerated physiological movements. This is a kind of caricature of certain motor acts, natural gestures. Patients suffering from tics can shake their heads (as if checking whether the hat fits well), make hand movements (as if discarding interfering hair), blink their eyes (as if getting rid of a mote). Along with obsessive tics, pathological habitual actions (lip biting, gnashing of teeth, spitting, etc.) are often observed, which differ from obsessive actions proper in the absence of a subjectively painful sense of persistence and experience them as alien, painful. Neurotic states characterized only by obsessive tics usually have a favorable prognosis. Appearing most often in preschool and primary school age, tics usually subside by the end of puberty. However, such disorders can also be more persistent, persist for many years and only partially change in manifestations.

The course of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Unfortunately, chronization must be indicated as the most characteristic trend in the OCD dynamics. Cases of episodic manifestations of the disease and complete recovery are relatively rare. However, in many patients, especially with the development and preservation of one type of manifestation (agoraphobia, obsessive counting, ritual handwashing, etc.), a long-term stabilization of the condition is possible. In these cases, there is a gradual (usually in the second half of life) mitigation of psychopathological symptoms and social readaptation. For example, patients who experienced fear of traveling on certain types of transport, or public speaking, cease to feel flawed and work along with healthy people. In mild forms of OCD, the disease usually proceeds favorably (on an outpatient basis). The reverse development of symptoms occurs after 1 year - 5 years from the moment of manifestation.

More severe and complex OCDs, such as phobias of infection, pollution, sharp objects, contrasting performances, multiple rituals, on the other hand, may become persistent, resistant to treatment, or show a tendency to recur with disorders that persist despite active therapy. Further negative dynamics of these conditions indicates a gradual complication of the clinical picture of the disease as a whole.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

It is important to distinguish OCD from other disorders that involve compulsions and rituals. In some cases, obsessive-compulsive disorder must be differentiated from schizophrenia, especially when the obsessive thoughts are unusual in content (eg, mixed sexual and blasphemous themes) or the rituals are exceptionally eccentric. The development of a sluggish schizophrenic process cannot be ruled out with the growth of ritual formations, their persistence, the emergence of antagonistic tendencies in mental activity (inconsistency of thinking and actions), and the uniformity of emotional manifestations. Prolonged obsessional states of a complex structure must be distinguished from the manifestations of paroxysmal schizophrenia. Unlike neurotic obsessive states, they are usually accompanied by a sharply increasing anxiety, a significant expansion and systematization of the circle of obsessive associations, which acquire the character of obsessions of "special significance": previously indifferent objects, events, random remarks of others remind patients of the content of phobias, offensive thoughts and thereby acquire in their view a special, menacing significance. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a psychiatrist in order to exclude schizophrenia. It can also be difficult to differentiate between OCD and conditions with a predominance of generalized disorders, known as Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome. Tics in such cases are localized in the face, neck, upper and lower extremities and are accompanied by grimaces, opening the mouth, sticking out the tongue, and intense gesticulation. In these cases, this syndrome can be excluded by the coarseness of movement disorders characteristic of it and more complex in structure and more severe mental disorders.

Genetic factors

Speaking about hereditary predisposition to OCD, it should be noted that obsessive-compulsive disorders are found in approximately 5-7% of parents of patients with such disorders. Although this figure is low, it is higher than in the general population. While the evidence for a hereditary predisposition to OCD is still uncertain, psychasthenic personality traits can be largely explained by genetic factors.

FORECAST

Approximately two-thirds of OCD patients improve within a year, more often by the end of this period. If the disease lasts more than a year, fluctuations are observed during its course - periods of exacerbations are interspersed with periods of improvement in health, lasting from several months to several years. The prognosis is worse if we are talking about a psychasthenic personality with severe symptoms of the disease, or if there are continuous stressful events in the patient's life. Severe cases can be extremely persistent; for example, a study of hospitalized patients with OCD found that three-quarters of them remained symptom-free 13 to 20 years later.

TREATMENT: BASIC METHODS AND APPROACHES

Despite the fact that OCD is a complex group of symptom complexes, the principles of treatment for them are the same. The most reliable and effective method of treating OCD is considered to be drug therapy, during which a strictly individual approach to each patient should be manifested, taking into account the characteristics of the manifestation of OCD, age, gender, and the presence of other diseases. In this regard, we must warn patients and their relatives against self-treatment. If any disorders similar to mental ones appear, it is necessary, first of all, to contact the specialists of the psycho-neurological dispensary at the place of residence or other psychiatric medical institutions to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe competent adequate treatment. At the same time, it should be remembered that at present a visit to a psychiatrist does not threaten with any negative consequences - the infamous "accounting" was canceled more than 10 years ago and replaced by the concepts of consultative and medical care and dispensary observation.

When treating, it must be borne in mind that obsessive-compulsive disorders often have a fluctuating course with long periods of remission (improvement). The apparent suffering of the patient often seems to call for vigorous effective treatment, but the natural course of the condition must be kept in mind in order to avoid the typical error of over-intensive therapy. It is also important to consider that OCD is often accompanied by depression, the effective treatment of which often leads to an alleviation of obsessional symptoms.

Treatment of OCD begins with an explanation to the patient of the symptoms and, if necessary, with reassurance that they are the initial manifestation of insanity (a common concern for patients with obsessions). Those suffering from certain obsessions often involve other family members in their rituals, so relatives need to treat the patient firmly, but sympathetically, mitigating the symptoms as much as possible, and not aggravating it by excessive indulgence in the sick fantasies of patients.

Drug therapy

The following therapeutic approaches exist for the currently identified types of OCD. Of the pharmacological drugs for OCD, serotonergic antidepressants, anxiolytics (mainly benzodiazepine), beta-blockers (to stop autonomic manifestations), MAO inhibitors (reversible) and triazole benzodiazepines (alprazolam) are most often used. Anxiolytic drugs provide some short-term relief of symptoms, but should not be given for more than a few weeks at a time. If anxiolytic treatment is required for more than one to two months, small doses of tricyclic antidepressants or small antipsychotics sometimes help. The main link in the treatment regimen for OCD, overlapping with negative symptoms or ritualized obsessions, are atypical antipsychotics - risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, in combination with either SSRI antidepressants or other antidepressants - moclobemide, tianeptine, or with high-potency benzodiazepine derivatives ( alprazolam, clonazepam, bromazepam).

Any comorbid depressive disorder is treated with antidepressants at an adequate dose. There is evidence that one of the tricyclic antidepressants, clomipramine, has a specific effect on obsessive symptoms, but the results of a controlled clinical trial showed that the effect of this drug is insignificant and occurs only in patients with distinct depressive symptoms.

In cases where obsessive-phobic symptoms are observed within the framework of schizophrenia, intensive psychopharmacotherapy with proportional use of high doses of serotonergic antidepressants (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram) has the greatest effect. In some cases, it is advisable to connect traditional antipsychotics (small doses of haloperidol, trifluoperazine, fluanxol) and parenteral administration of benzodiazepine derivatives.

Psychotherapy

Behavioral psychotherapy

One of the main tasks of the specialist in the treatment of OCD is to establish fruitful cooperation with the patient. It is necessary to instill in the patient faith in the possibility of recovery, to overcome his prejudice against the "harm" caused by psychotropic drugs, to convey his conviction in the effectiveness of treatment, subject to the systematic observance of the prescribed prescriptions. The patient's faith in the possibility of healing must be supported in every possible way by the relatives of the OCD sufferer. If the patient has rituals, it must be remembered that improvement usually occurs when using a combination of the method of preventing a reaction with placing the patient in conditions that aggravate these rituals. Significant but not complete improvement can be expected in about two-thirds of patients with moderately heavy rituals. If, as a result of such treatment, the severity of rituals decreases, then, as a rule, the accompanying obsessive thoughts also recede. In panphobia, predominantly behavioral techniques are used to reduce sensitivity to phobic stimuli, supplemented by elements of emotionally supportive psychotherapy. In cases where ritualized phobias predominate, along with desensitization, behavioral training is actively used to help overcome avoidant behavior. Behavioral therapy is significantly less effective for obsessive thoughts that are not accompanied by rituals. Thought-stopping has been used by some experts for many years, but its specific effect has not been convincingly proven.

Social rehabilitation

We have already noted that obsessive-compulsive disorder has a fluctuating (fluctuating) course and over time the patient's condition may improve regardless of which particular methods of treatment were used. Until recovery, patients can benefit from supportive conversations that provide continued hope for recovery. Psychotherapy in the complex of treatment and rehabilitation measures for patients with OCD is aimed at both correcting avoidant behavior and reducing sensitivity to phobic situations (behavioral therapy), as well as family psychotherapy to correct behavioral disorders and improve family relationships. If marital problems exacerbate symptoms, joint interviews with the spouse are indicated. Patients with panphobia (at the stage of the active course of the disease), due to the intensity and pathological persistence of symptoms, need both medical and social and labor rehabilitation. In this regard, it is important to determine adequate terms of treatment - long-term (at least 2 months) therapy in a hospital with subsequent continuation of the course on an outpatient basis, as well as taking measures to restore social ties, professional skills, family relationships. Social rehabilitation is a set of programs for teaching OCD patients how to behave rationally both at home and in a hospital setting. Rehabilitation is aimed at teaching social skills to properly interact with other people, vocational training, as well as skills necessary in everyday life. Psychotherapy helps patients, especially those who experience a sense of their own inferiority, treat themselves better and correctly, master ways to solve everyday problems, and gain confidence in their strength.

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