OCD

OCD services offered in Chandler, AZ and Boise, ID

Obsessing over seemingly minor situations or having strong urges for ritualistic behaviors can indicate obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). At Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, in Chandler, Arizona, and Boise, Idaho, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Frances Spink, DNP, MSN, MBA, PMHNP-BC, treats OCD to eliminate crippling thoughts and behaviors. Schedule an in-person or virtual psychiatric evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is OCD?

OCD is characterized by compulsions (rituals) and obsessions (persistent or intrusive thoughts). It’s a common mental health disorder that can contribute to problems when completing everyday tasks if not addressed.

While mild cases of OCD aren’t necessarily bothersome, severe OCD can affect your job performance, relationships, schoolwork, or overall quality of life. Treatment at Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, provides symptom relief.

Which symptoms does OCD cause?

OCD causes:

Strong fixation on germs or dirt
Repeated doubts about turning off the stove
Constantly checking for locked doors
Need for extreme orderliness
Thoughts about hurting others
Frequently counting things
Obsessions with symmetry or order
Arranging canned goods to all face the same way
Persistent, distressing thoughts
Repeated hand washing
Having rigid rules
Alphabetizing spices
Having a strict routine
Not touching doorknobs or shaking hands
Substance misuse

OCD fears are often unfounded. They can cause extreme anxiety, be time-consuming, and become disruptive.

What can increase the risk of OCD?

The cause of OCD isn’t known, but risk factors include:

Family history of OCD
Learned behaviors
Brain chemistry changes
Stress
Trauma
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Tic disorders

OCD symptoms often begin during the teenage years or young adulthood.

How does my specialist diagnose OCD?

Dr. Spink diagnoses OCD by completing an in-person or virtual psychiatric evaluation. She asks about your behaviors, thoughts, moods, medical history, medications, and more. Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, uses GeneSight® genetic testing to determine the most effective medications based on your genes.

How is OCD treated?

Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, provides personalized OCD treatment plans based on your unique situation. The practice offers psychotherapy, medication management, lifestyle counseling, and combination treatments to reduce worrisome OCD symptoms.

Dr. Spink uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and other highly effective therapies to help you overcome problematic symptoms and flourish professionally and personally.

You might speak with her for 30-60 minutes each week, or as needed, to make the changes required to combat your condition. She alters your treatment when necessary to help you thrive in everyday situations.

Schedule an in-person or telepsychiatry OCD evaluation at Essential Mental Healthcare, PLLC, by phone or request one online today.