Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

When your mind won’t stop looping — we help you break free from the cycle.

What Is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition where unwanted thoughts (obsessions) trigger intense anxiety, leading to repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) to try to relieve it.

OCD is not just about being tidy or liking things “just so.” It’s a deeply distressing cycle that can consume hours of a person’s day and interfere with relationships, work, and peace of mind.

Common OCD Themes

  • Contamination fears (germs, illness, chemicals)
  • Checking (locks, appliances, body symptoms)
  • Order/symmetry (things needing to be “just right”)
  • Intrusive thoughts (violent, sexual, or taboo thoughts that go against one’s values)
  • Religious or moral scrupulosity
  • Relationship OCD (doubts or fears about one’s partner or relationship)
  • Health-related OCD (constant scanning or researching symptoms)

These thoughts are ego-dystonic — they feel disturbing and out of character, which increases distress.

How OCD Presents in Different Populations

Children & Teens

  • Excessive reassurance-seeking from parents
  • Repeating rituals (e.g., tapping, counting, erasing, re-writing)
  • Meltdowns when routines are interrupted
  • Difficulty concentrating in class due to intrusive thoughts

Adults

  • Silent compulsions (mental checking, reviewing past conversations)
  • Relationship strain due to time-consuming rituals
  • High-functioning but exhausted from hiding symptoms

Postpartum & Perinatal

  • Intrusive thoughts of harm coming to the baby (often terrifying and unspoken)
  • Compulsive checking or cleaning behaviors
  • Intense guilt or shame for having “bad” thoughts

Our Treatment Approach

OCD is highly treatable with specialized care. At TPC, we offer:

  • Expert psychiatric evaluation to confirm OCD and rule out look-alike conditions (e.g., GAD, autism, tics)
  • Evidence-based therapy, especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
  • Medication when needed (SSRIs at higher therapeutic doses)
  • Support for families and partners to avoid reinforcing rituals
  • Collaboration across disciplines for co-occurring conditions like ADHD or Tourette’s

You don’t need to feel in control of your thoughts — you just need tools to stop them from controlling you.

FAQs – OCD

  • Do I have OCD if I get intrusive thoughts but don’t do rituals?
    Possibly. This is called Pure O (obsessional OCD) — we treat this too.
  • Is ERP the only therapy that works?
    ERP is the gold standard. We can also integrate ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and CBT if needed.
  • Can OCD go away on its own?
    It usually gets worse without treatment. But with care, many people regain control and reduce symptoms dramatically.
  • Is OCD linked to trauma?
    Sometimes. We can help untangle overlapping patterns and find a treatment path that fits.

✅ You Are Not Your Thoughts

📞 Call Us: (478) 745-9206
📍 3100 Ridge Ave, Macon, GA
🗓 Appointments within 1–2 weeks

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