OCD

If you experience intrusive thoughts, unwanted urges, or repetitive behaviors that feel difficult to control, you may be living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD can interfere with your daily life, relationships, work, and emotional well-being, even when you recognize the thoughts or behaviors don’t make sense. At Neurobloom Psychiatry in Temecula, California, board-certified psychiatrist Sandra Cox, MD, provides comprehensive evaluations and personalized care, helping you focus on clarity, relief, and lasting improvement. Call the office or book an appointment online today.

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by recurring, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that feel difficult to control. These thoughts, called obsessions, can create intense anxiety or distress. 

Compulsions are behaviors or mental rituals performed in an attempt to reduce discomfort or prevent something bad from happening. 

OCD isn’t a personality quirk or a preference for cleanliness. It’s a medical condition that can significantly interfere with your daily life, relationships, work, and emotional well-being.

What are the signs of OCD?

OCD can look different from person to person, but symptoms generally fall into patterns involving obsessions, compulsions, or both. Common signs include:

• Intrusive thoughts about contamination, harm, morality, or order that cause distress
• Repeated behaviors such as excessive handwashing, checking, counting, or arranging items
• Mental rituals like silently repeating words, prayers, or phrases to reduce anxiety
• Avoidance of situations that trigger obsessive thoughts
• Feeling temporary relief after a compulsion, followed by the return of anxiety

Symptoms often feel time-consuming and hard to ignore, even when a person recognizes that the thoughts or behaviors are unreasonable. Over time, OCD can become exhausting and isolating without proper support.

What causes OCD?

There’s no single cause of OCD. Research suggests it develops from a combination of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental influences. Differences in how certain brain circuits function, particularly those involved in fear and decision-making, play a role. 

Stressful or traumatic life events may also trigger or worsen symptoms in some individuals. OCD isn’t caused by weakness, upbringing, or lack of willpower.

How is OCD treated?

OCD is highly treatable with the right approach. Treatment at Neurobloom Psychiatry often includes psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), is considered the most effective therapy for OCD. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also help reduce symptom severity.

Dr. Cox provides comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs. 

If OCD symptoms are impacting your quality of life, schedule an appointment today by phone or online to take the first step toward lasting relief and support.