Obsessive-compulsive disorder, most commonly known as OCD, is an anxiety-related disorder categorized by recurring and unwanted thoughts and sensations that drive someone to complete compulsions or repetitive actions. These obsessions and compulsions can become all-consuming, causing people to neglect school, work, relationships and other important responsibilities.
Approximately 2.3% of American adults will experience OCD symptoms at some point during their lives, with women at higher risk than men. Furthermore, as many as 1 in 100 children will deal with this condition, making the need for integrative treatment for OCD essential for every age group. At the Yang Institute for Integrative Medicine, we take your condition seriously and work tirelessly to find solutions that help. Learn more about this condition and how we can help you treat it.
Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
OCD varies in presentation between individuals — some people become obsessive, while others have compulsions. Unfortunately, many people will experience both simultaneously. Undiagnosed individuals may not notice their obsessions and compulsions, even when they threaten to overwhelm their lives.
Still, that does not mean they enjoy or even want to indulge in these actions. Instead, they become stuck in the pattern, and quitting is often so unpleasant that they begin again.
Some of the most common obsessions people with OCD have include:
- Fear of illness or germ contamination (hypochondria)
- Taboo thoughts about religion, sex and hurting people or themselves
- Putting things “in order” or organizing objects
Compulsions often go hand in hand with the obsessions a person faces, but not always. They may feel compelled to:
- Clean excessively
- Check things repeatedly, such as whether they locked a door or turned off a light
- Order and reorganize things that are already tidy
- Count compulsively
Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder at the Yang Institute
While some people feel embarrassment surrounding their OCD symptoms, you do not have to feel ashamed at the Yang Institute. Here, we take an integrative approach to OCD, examining our clients as a whole person. The Yang Institute combines Western psychiatric therapies with Traditional Chinese medicine to provide an integrative, individualized approach for each patient, including:
- Psychiatry and medication management: Many people find medication to be an integral part of managing OCD. Our psychiatrists can help you find a regimen that helps you cope with your symptoms and live the life you want.
- Acupuncture for OCD: This traditional form of Chinese medicine is about opening up energy blockages within the body to work through uncomfortable symptoms like those present in OCD. This practice is still common today in many cultures, and we invite you to learn more about its effectiveness at our facility.
- Functional medicine for OCD: Functional medicine takes a whole-person approach to medical care. Our practitioners evaluate your mental, emotional and spiritual history alongside your physical history and factors like lifestyle or environmental influences that may not seem obvious but can significantly impact your well-being.
Find Integrative Treatment for OCD Today
The Yang Institute is ready to help you get back to your life and work through the challenges of dealing with OCD on a regular basis. Speak with one of our practitioners today to discover how integrative medicine helps our clients thrive.