Diagnosing and Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Children & Adults

At Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology Services of Long Island, it is common to find that children and adults experiencing symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may be looking for a way to manage their condition. If you are looking for a psychologist near Woodbury, NY to treat your OCD symptoms but are not sure what to expect, here’s what you need to know before visiting our office.

 

Symptoms

The first step in deciding whether you are a good candidate for seeking treatment of OCD is knowing the correct symptoms. Having obsessive compulsive disorder means having repetitive obsessions and/or compulsions as well as unwanted thoughts and urges. Many, but not all, obsessive cases of OCD include orderliness, fear of dirt, sexual context, religious context, or horrific thoughts of harming yourself or others. Having these unwanted thoughts can cause stress, anxiety, and fear. There are also common compulsions in those diagnosed with OCD including: orderliness, routines, cleaning, checking, counting, and repeating words or actions. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, you are not alone and could benefit from seeking help.

 

Diagnosis

Dr. Michael Eberlin at Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology Services of Long Island, a psychologist near Woodbury, NY is trained in diagnosing those with obsessive compulsive disorder. At our offices, you can expect to go through a thorough clinical interview that will give us a better understanding of your present status, history, and mental status. In the case of children, Dr. Eberlin will work with the parents in order to understand the nature of the child’s condition in order to provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

 

Treatment

There are a few effective, empirically validated treatment options for OCD that Dr. Eberlin will recommend utilizing. Over time, our professionals will help you cope with stress or anxiety that may be caused by your condition. The treatment options can include methods such as exposure and response prevention, psychoeducation, mindfulness, thought challenges, and emotional support. In addition to these practices, Dr. Eberlin also typically suggests those diagnosed with OCD consider using medication and that they exercise regularly in order to control the obsessions and compulsions, as well as to alleviate any anxiety and depression that they may be experiencing.

 

If you are looking for a psychologist near Woodbury, NY we can help! To learn more information about the treatment process for OCD in children and adults, contact us today!