Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) changes how a person functions in the world. They feel controlled by their intrusive thoughts and non-stop behaviors and wonder if they will ever find a way to reduce them. Can OCD go away? New View Wellness in Atlanta explores this mental health disorder that can baffle those who have it and the people around them. Our outpatient programs help people who have OCD learn to control many of their symptoms and lead a life with less stress and anxiety.
What is OCD?
OCD is a mental health disorder that affects people with two distinct sets of symptoms. The first is obsessive and intrusive thoughts that happen repeatedly and the person cannot control them. The second is compulsive behaviors the individual feels compelled to engage in, even if they understand there isn’t real logic behind them. OCD often robs people of their ability to perform simple tasks or causes them to expend excessive amounts of time and energy related to their thoughts and behaviors.
How Do I Know If I Have OCD?
While OCD can seem baffling at first, there are common signs and symptoms that someone has this mental health disorder. Signs to look out for include:
- Obsessive and intrusive thoughts
- Compulsive behaviors the person cannot stop doing
- A desire for orderliness in all areas of life
- Repeatedly checking that a task has been completed or a danger is being avoided
- A fear of contamination
- Repetitive cleaning rituals
- Frightening thoughts, including those of a violent or sexual nature
- Isolating from others
- Job, education, or relationships are negatively impacted because of OCD
Can OCD Go Away?
Part of what makes OCD so frustrating is that the patterns feel never-ending. Can OCD go away? The mental illness itself cannot be cured, but with structured and aggressive treatment, the symptoms can be minimized. Different types of therapy help people to understand the source of their OCD and anticipate triggers for the behaviors. Through therapy, people learn coping skills that help them find relief without always having to succumb to their behaviors or stay focused on their thoughts.
Those who seek treatment often find that they have significantly fewer symptoms because they learn how to manage them. This comes from learning cognitive skills and mindfulness techniques that allow the individual to become more masterful at controlling the thoughts as they come and the urges to use the behaviors.
How is OCD Treated?
Treatment for OCD involves using two methods to help reduce and even eliminate some symptoms. The first is therapy, which includes multiple types to expose the individual to more than one helpful way to improve their mental health. Common types of therapy include psychotherapy, group therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and family therapy. Some programs also offer Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and holistic therapy to help people develop healthy coping skills.
Prescription medications also factor in when it comes to treating OCD. A medical staff member will meet with each person to review any previous usage of medications and explore options for other meds.
How Can New View Wellness Help Someone With OCD?
We offer different types of outpatient programs that allow us to match each person with the level of care that will meet their needs. The amount of time required for each level depends on the severity of the OCD and will be determined prior to admission to the program. We offer:
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): This flexible program takes place a few hours per day three to five days per week. It works well for people who have completed residential treatment or a PHP plan.
Virtual IOP: This option offers the same services as our IOP program but can be done from anywhere the individual has a safe and private location and an internet-connected device. This includes a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): This level of care works well for someone who has completed a residential plan or needs a higher level of care than IOP. Sessions take place several hours per day five or more days per week.
We also offer a program just for teenagers who struggle with mental health disorders like OCD. They may participate in either an IOP or a PHP course of treatment.
Begin Treatment for OCD
Do you have OCD or know someone who does? If so, you have probably found yourself wondering, “Can OCD go away?” While the illness cannot be completely eliminated from a person’s life, the right treatment program can help a person vastly reduce the symptoms they experience. New View Wellness in Atlanta offers several levels of outpatient care designed to help people with OCD gain control they have lacked. With the assistance of our highly skilled team of therapists, the individual can learn how to reduce some of the triggers that bring on their thoughts and behaviors. We also offer treatment for any co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Our goal is to teach you to feel more in control and enjoy life again.
Are you ready to find out how to stop letting OCD control your life? Contact us today and let us tell you how we can help you.