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Conditions & Treatments

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is disorder in which a person experiences obsessions, compulsions, or both. Symptoms can cause extreme distress and interfere with daily life.

What Are the Symptoms of OCD?

Symptoms of OCD include both obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions are uncontrollable and recurring thoughts that cause anxiety. Common obsessions include:

  • Fear of germs
  • Difficulty dealing with uncertainty
  • Fear of forgetting something
  • Wanting to have everything in perfect order

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors, often in response to an obsessive thought. They often give temporary relief from anxiety. Common compulsions include:

  • Excessive handwashing
  • Excessive cleaning or arranging
  • Repeatedly checking things
  • Counting or repeating things silently

Treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

How Is OCD Diagnosed?

OCD can occur alongside another mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Your healthcare provider will discuss your symptoms, thoughts, and behavior patterns. They may also ask to speak with family or friends to get a full sense of how your symptoms are interfering with daily life.

How Is OCD Treated?

There is no cure for OCD, but treatment can help you learn to manage symptoms so that they do not interfere severely with daily life. Your provider may suggest cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This involves learning to resist compulsions and manage obsessions through exposure and response prevention (ERP). Your provider may also suggest psychiatric medication, such as antidepressants.

What Sets Us Apart?

We provide care to patients with mental health conditions using a respectful, team-based approach. We integrate clinical care, teaching, and research into our treatment. We also work actively with the patient, their support system, and community care providers to develop the best plan possible for each individual.

The team’s leadership focuses on developing innovative systems for mental health care. As part of the leading academic health system in Upstate New York, we help educate the next generation of mental health professionals. We are a key training site for several multidisciplinary programs, including psychiatry fellowship programs and internship and post-doctorate training in clinical psychology.

Locations

We serve you in the Rochester metropolitan area and surrounding region.

7 locations

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