We Effectively Treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and Treatment
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) afflicts a relatively small percentage of the population by comparison to other diseases but its effects can be devastating. We may think of people with OCD as people who compulsively wash their hands, return home to make sure the oven is turned off or the door is locked, or those who arrange items in a particular order (and rearrange and rearrange them again) by color or size, count steps, or having a strong aversion to germs. While these behaviors certainly comprise some of the traits that are found in people with OCD, there are many more and they are ritualistic in nature to such a degree that they can be all-intrusive and interfere with life, work, school and relationships. Often portrayed in Hollywood as a quirky behavior to be amused by, tolerated or utilized as a means to a punch line, the obsessions for those who suffer from them are no laughing matter. They can be symptoms of a form of mental illness that requires attention and therapy. Left unaddressed, OCD symptoms and behaviors can wreak havoc on the afflicted because of the amount of time they demand to be satisfied until the call to ritual takes over once more.
Signs and Symptoms of OCD
Although symptoms generally first appear in children between the ages of 8 and 12, they can also arrive in later adolescence/young adulthood and approximately 2-3 million American adults live with OCD according to the International OCD Foundation. Even though this number is statistically low by comparison to other forms of mental illness, the damage it causes can be significant because of the impact it has on one’s ability to function fluidly throughout the day. People with OCD may suffer from a higher rate of drug and alcohol addiction and this can further complicate the disorder and create more severe obsessions or cause self-destructive behavior that may require hospitalization. No longer classified as an anxiety disorder, OCD is now placed in a separate category with other disorders that are manifested by obsessive fears or involve repetitive behaviors. The inability to act on those obsessions or behaviors can create anxiety and cause intrusive fear to take over the thought process.
What Causes OCD?
The exact causes of OCD and its origins remain unknown, but neurochemistry plays a part. Imbalances in serotonin and vasopressin as well as structural abnormalities in part of the brain may be part of the equation. OCD may be hereditary and tends to run in families; there is an increased risk of developing this condition by virtue of bloodline. Additional theories of how OCD is contracted have included exposure to environmental toxins and childhood illness, yet none has been scientifically proven or dismissed. As such, experts do agree that all or some of these factors may contribute to its manifestation.
While OCD on its own presents challenges for treatment (that includes a combination of behavior modification, individual and family therapy/counseling, support groups and psychiatric medications), if addiction is present, treatment protocols must address these co-occurring disorders to effectively treat what is now a Dual Diagnosis.
To learn more about Dual Diagnosis and how it is diagnosed and treated, start here. 1 Method is a leading treatment center that focuses on the individual and not just the disease. We create individualized, one-on-one treatment plans that work with you for YOU.
A Tailor-Made OCD Treatment Plan
1 Method Center offers only tailor-made treatment (no cookie cutter programs) in a calm, intimate, therapeutic setting that boasts unsurpassed amenities. We offer both inpatient and outpatient programs for OCD. From our diverse range of 1-on-1 strategies and customized treatment approach to our superb, caring staff, your program will be unique, just like you. No two days, no two patients and no two OCD treatment protocols are alike. You will see and feel the difference the moment you become a part of our family and find yourself being treated like a person and not like a number. You matter.
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Dr. Brooke Gilbertsen is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working in the field of mental health since 2011 and specifically co-occurring disorders since 2013. Brooke brings her knowledge, experience, and compassion to support clients and their loved ones on their journey toward recovery, health, and holistic healing. Brooke has experience working with a wide range of diagnoses from severe mental illness and personality disorders to depression and anxiety, and believes the underlying cause must be treated in order for freedom from addiction to occur. Brooke treats the whole person, considering mental health diagnoses, genetics, neuropsychology, the context of the family and environment, social relationships, trauma and loss, vulnerability, shame, and self-worth. Brooke applies a wide range of evidenced-based modalities, incorporating mindfulness, spirituality, and psychodynamic approaches to assist clients in the healing process. Brooke is passionate about helping her patients discover the best version of themselves, with a renewed sense of freedom, purpose, and meaning. The model is to build a life that you want to show up to, and don’t need a vacation from.
Brooke completed her B.A. in Psychology in 2008 from San Diego State University. She obtained her M.A. Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2013 from Argosy University, and received her Doctorate in Psychology in 2016 from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is the author of The Impact of Mindfulness on the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients, published in 2017. Brooke has been the keynote speaker for lectures on addiction, and is passionate about helping others find their way as they take the courageous journey toward self-growth.