OCD

If intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors are interfering with your daily life, Dr. Alyssa Nadolny, DNP, PMHNP-BC, provides compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care at Spring Azure Psychiatry & Wellness in Greenwood Village, Colorado. She diagnoses and treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to ease stress or anxiety associated with your condition. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Spring Azure Psychiatry & Wellness by calling the office or booking online today. 

What is OCD?

OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions). Repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce distress are also common in people with OCD. 

The condition can affect individuals of all ages and may interfere with daily life, relationships, work, or school. 

Obsessions may involve fears related to harm, contamination, uncertainty, or unwanted thoughts. Compulsions might include checking, counting, reassurance-seeking, mental rituals, or avoidance. 

Many individuals with OCD recognize their behaviors are not helpful, yet feel unable to stop them without appropriate support. 

Which symptoms can OCD cause?

Symptoms of OCD may include:

• Fear of dirt, germs, or bodily fluids
• Fear of hurting others or yourself
• Strong urges for order, symmetry, or neatness
• Fear of making mistakes
• Doubting your partner’s love or attraction
• Fear of something terrible happening
• Unwanted sexual thoughts
• Focusing on your heart rate, breathing, or other automatic functions
• Arranging canned goods facing the same way
• Constantly checking for locked doors or turned-off stoves
• Repeating words or phrases in your head
• Repeated washing and cleaning
• Needing a strict routine
• Doing things over and over, a number of times
• Avoiding doorknobs or shaking hands

Mild OCD may not be cause for concern, but severe symptoms could interfere with school, work, or relationships. 

What are the risk factors for OCD?

The cause of OCD isn’t known, but risk factors might include:

• Stress
• Abuse
• Neglect
• Family history of OCD
• Learned behavior patterns from other people
• Brain changes
• Being detail-oriented
• Other mental health disorders

Having anxiety, tic disorders, substance use disorder (SUD), or depression may increase your chance of experiencing OCD. It’s commonly diagnosed in the teenage or early adult years.

How is OCD diagnosed?

Alyssa completes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to understand your symptoms, their severity, and any co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression. She evaluates your moods, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and lifestyle using DSM-5 criteria and offers treatment recommendations when appropriate. 

How is OCD treated?

Spring Azure Psychiatry & Wellness takes an individualized, collaborative approach to treating OCD that may include:

• Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
• Accurate diagnosis and differential assessment
• Medication management
• Ongoing symptom monitoring and dose optimization
• Psychoeducation
• Coordination with specialized therapy
• Support in reducing reassurance-seeking and avoidance behaviors
• Management of co-occurring mood or anxiety disorders
• Relapse prevention planning
• Family education and guidance

The goal of OCD treatment is to reduce symptom intensity, improve daily functioning, and help you regain control and confidence in your daily life.

Schedule an in-person or telehealth OCD evaluation at Spring Azure Psychiatry & Wellness by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.