Recognizing the complexity of OCD, which involves unwanted and intrusive thoughts that drive repetitive behaviors, Dr. Erickson offers a compassionate and personalized approach to therapy that aims to reduce these symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Utilizing evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), along with medication management when necessary, Dr. Erickson tailors treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each patient. Her goal is to help you understand and manage your symptoms, enabling you to lead a more balanced and fulfilling life free from the constraints of OCD.
Obsessions:
Compulsions:
OCD is an anxiety disorder that causes you to have unreasonable thoughts, and these thoughts lead to obsessive behaviors. Having a routine helps create structure and order. But if your routine is so rigid that it impairs your life, you may be dealing with OCD.
OCD isn’t that common, affecting a little more than 1 percent of the population in the United States. OCD can begin at any age, even childhood, but it’s most commonly diagnosed in the late teens. OCD affects women more than men.
It’s not entirely understood what causes you to develop OCD, but there are risk factors associated with the anxiety disorder, including:
Dr. Erickson treats your OCD with a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and/or alternative therapies. The right treatment can reduce your symptoms, but you may continue to experience some anxiety from time to time.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are often prescribed to help manage OCD. Dr. Erickson also uses cognitive behavioral therapy or habit reversal training to help stop the intrusive thoughts and behaviors.
As an integrative psychiatrist, Dr. Erickson may recommend supplements, techniques to manage stress, good nutrition, and regular exercise in addition to traditional treatment for OCD.
OCD may present with other mental health issues, such as body dysmorphic disorder, which is a condition in which you might perceive an abnormality on your body that’s not there. Treating any underlying condition is also necessary to alleviate OCD behaviors and symptoms.
If you are in crisis or you know of a person that may be in danger, call 911 immediately or contact one of these services for immediate assistance.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Crisis Text Line: Text “DESERVE” TO 741-741
Lifeline Crisis Chat (Online live messaging):
https://988lifeline.org/chat
Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288)
Essential local and community services: 211
https://www.211.org/
American Association of Poison Control Centers: 1-800-222-1222
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency Hope Line:
1-800-622-2255
National Crisis Line – Anorexia and Bulimia: 1-800-233-4357
LGBT Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
TREVOR Crisis Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
AIDS Crisis Line: 1-800-221-7044
Veterans Crisis Line:
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
TransLifeline: 877-565-8860
https://www.translifeline.org