OCD & Anxiety Treatment

OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

We treat obsessive-compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders, including cases of PANDAS, using the latest research in the development of our treatment plans. Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, can begin at any age from preschool to adulthood. Typically the symptoms begin during the teenage years or early adulthood.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms are classified into two areas: obsessions, repetitive unwanted thoughts and compulsions, the routines individuals perform to help them cope with their unwanted thoughts or reduce anxiety.

Common obsessions of obsessive-compulsive disorder include:

• Fear of dirt or contamination by germs
• fear of causing harm to others
• fear of making a mistake
• Repeated doubt
• Unacceptable sexual thoughts
• Need for order or symmetry
• Hoarding

Common compulsions of OCD include:

• Repeating actions, such as washing hands or cleaning
• Checking and rechecking that something has been done, like the oven has been turned off
• Repetitively arranging objects
• Counting frequently
• Repeating a word, phrase or prayer
• Hoarding or keeping items that have little importance

Effective treatment for OCD is available through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and the use of exposure ritual prevention (ERP) therapy, which can give individuals long-term control of their obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders affect millions of Americans each year and are typically characterized by feelings of overwhelming tension and stress. Depending on the type of anxiety, people may experience panic attacks, fear of everyday activities or places, or feel terror when confronted with the source of their anxiety. The severity of their symptoms can be hard for friends and family to understand. Symptoms of anxiety can cause problems at work or create negative effects on social and personal relationships, as well as personal well-being.

Rogers Memorial Hospital is a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive compulsive-spectrum disorders and anxiety disorders. Rogers Memorial is one of the few places in the country offering intensive cognitive-behavioral therapy for children, teens and adults in a residential setting.

Bradley C. Riemann, PhD, is a leading expert in the assessment, treatment and research of anxiety disorders. Dr. Riemann leads a team of more than 40 highly trained staff who provide specialized treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders.

Research suggests that the vast majority of people with an anxiety disorder respond well to our treatment approach. Patients receive intensive and challenging treatment in a structured, manageable environment though the use of a graduated exposure hierarchy and a comprehensive application of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

We invite patients, families and referring treatment team members to contribute to developing the individual’s treatment plan. Family members are an important part of our OCD treatment approach.