OCD services are offered in Silver Spring, MD

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, causes changes in your behavior that affect your day-to-day life. At E&B Behavioral and Medical Clinic LLC, Beatrice Tekah, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, and Ernest Keyaka, NP, PMHNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, provide solutions when you struggle with OCD so you can manage your symptoms and enjoy life. Call the office in Silver Spring, Maryland, or use the online tool to book an appointment and learn more about how you can better cope with OCD.

OCD Q & A

What is OCD?
OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is characterized by repetitive routines, thoughts, or vocalizations. Examples of OCD behaviors include obsessive hand washing or repetition of the same phrases over and over. While OCD may look like habits, they’re actually seemingly uncontrollable actions driven by anxiety, recurring ideas, and triggers.

People with OCD can’t control their obsessive actions. Often, the behaviors of OCD are unwanted and disruptive to daily life. You may have an inappropriate fear of contamination, association with sexual thoughts, or a fixation on mental images.

How do I know I need help for OCD?

OCD symptoms usually show up early in your life. You may develop them in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. Women are slightly more likely to develop OCD compared to men.

Consider getting help for OCD if you notice your thoughts and behaviors are not in line with reality. You may often act in ways that seem unreasonable and inconvenient. Family members, coworkers, and friends may comment on the seeming irrationality of your actions.

Because you realize your actions and behaviors are not normal, OCD becomes stressful. You want to stop, but you can’t control the obsessive thoughts and actions. Some patients do believe that their obsessive actions are reasonable, even though the people around them don’t.

How do you diagnose OCD?

The team at E&B Behavioral and Medical Clinic LLC performs a comprehensive psychological evaluation and medical review before diagnosing OCD. You’ll meet with a therapist to discuss your behavior patterns, thoughts, symptoms, and feelings. Together, you explore how your actions are holding you back or interfering with relationships, work, school, and daily life.

At E&B Behavioral and Medical Clinic LLC, the providers adopt a collaborative approach. They’ll ask you to speak with your family and friends to discuss your OCD behaviors. These loved ones are important to helping you learn to manage your OCD, too.

How do you treat OCD?

A combination of therapy and behavioral change helps you manage OCD. Your therapist helps you recognize OCD triggers and gradually learn how to resist the urge to react compulsively.

Medications are also part of some patients’ OCD treatment plans. Medications are only used in conjunction with psychotherapy and behavioral health services.

If you need help managing OCD, call E&B Behavioral and Medical Clinic LLC today or use the online tool to book an appointment.