Transform Your OCD Journey with Compassionate Care
Evidence-Based Psychiatric Support for Intrusive Thoughts and Compulsions
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is not about being tidy or particular — it is a neurobiological condition involving intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that attempt to relieve distress.
Receive thorough assessments that accurately identify OCD symptoms and guide tailored treatment plans to meet your individual needs.
At Arizona Mental Wellness, our psychiatric team provides compassionate, evidence-based evaluation and medication support for individuals experiencing OCD symptoms of any type — contamination fears, checking, perfectionism, taboo thoughts, relationship OCD, or Pure O (internal compulsions).
Benefit from expert medication oversight designed to reduce intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors effectively and safely.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Support
OCD is highly treatable, and you don’t have to face it alone.
Compassionate Care for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Understanding OCD From a Psychiatric Perspective
OCD follows a predictable pattern:
Obsession
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses (e.g., fear of harm, contamination, mistakes, morality, identity doubts).
Anxiety Response
The mind and body react with discomfort, fear, or urgency.
Compulsion
Behaviors or mental rituals aimed at reducing anxiety (checking, cleaning, counting, self-reassurance, avoidance).
Temporary Relief – The relief reinforces the cycle — strengthening OCD over time. OCD is rooted in serotonin dysregulation and rigid neural pathways, not personality flaws or lack of willpower.
Our Approach
Discover how our personalized OCD care guides you through evaluation, treatment, and ongoing support for lasting wellness.
1
Obsessions (intrusive thoughts)
- Contamination or illness fears
- Fear of harming self or others
- Perfectionism, doubt, “not just right” feelings
- Sexual or taboo intrusive thoughts
- Scrupulosity (moral/religious anxiety)
- Relationship OCD
- “What if?” spirals
- Fear of losing control
- Identity or orientation-based doubt
2
Compulsions (behaviors or mental rituals)
- Repeated checking
- Cleaning or washing
- Repeating or redoing tasks
- Reassurance seeking (external or internal)
- Counting, neutralizing thoughts, mental reviewing
- Avoidance of triggers or uncertainty
OCD symptoms can significantly disrupt daily life — but with treatment, relief is possible.
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Psychiatric Evaluation for OCD
Your psychiatrist will explore:
- Obsessions, compulsions, avoidance behaviors
- Internal rituals (“Pure O”)
- Anxiety patterns and triggers
- Sleep disruption
- Co-occurring conditions such as ADHD,
Depression,
Generalized Anxiety , or autism - Medical or neurological contributors
- Family psychiatric history
Medication Management for OCD
Medication can significantly reduce the intensity and frequency of intrusive thoughts and compulsions, enabling more effective behavioral change.
First-Line Treatment: SSRIs at OCD Dosages
OCD typically responds best to higher SSRI doses than those used for anxiety or depression.
Common options include:
- Fluvoxamine (OCD-specific)
- Fluoxetine
- Sertraline
- Escitalopram
- Paroxetine
Second-Line: Clomipramine
A powerful TCA used when SSRIs are partially effective.
Adjunctive Options
For severe or resistant OCD:
- Atypical antipsychotics (low dose)
- Glutamate-modulating medications
- Beta-blockers for physical anxiety
Medication decisions are collaborative — you remain in control of your treatment.
How Psychiatry Helps Beyond Medication
Psychiatric support includes:
- Education about the OCD cycle
- Understanding intrusive thoughts (why they happen & why they’re not dangerous)
- Breaking reassurance and avoidance loops
- Managing anxiety spikes
- Improving sleep and nervous system regulation
- Treating comorbid conditions that worsen OCD (e.g., depression, ADHD, general anxiety)
Many clients experience meaningful relief even before beginning therapy.
Combined Care Leads to Best Outcomes
While psychiatric medication reduces distress and intrusive thought intensity, behavioral therapy is essential for long-term progress.
If therapy becomes part of your care, we coordinate with ERP-trained providers to ensure consistency and shared goals.
- Evidence-Based OCD Evaluations
- Collaborative Medication Management
- Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach
- Integrated Therapy Partnerships
- Long-Term Recovery Support
Solving the Real Problems That You Face
OCD in Neurodivergent Clients
OCD commonly overlaps with:
- ADHD
- Autism or sensory sensitivities
- Perfectionism and high anxiety sensitivity
- Executive functioning challenges
Our neurodiversity-affirming approach considers:
- Sensory overload
- Intrusive “sticky thoughts”
- Hyperfocus and looping thinking
- Masking and internal rituals
- Need for predictable structure
You will be understood and supported here.
When to Seek Psychiatric Support for OCD
You may benefit from psychiatric care if you experience:
- Intrusive thoughts that are hard to dismiss
- Repetitive rituals or avoidance behaviors
- Fear of harming others despite no intent
- Guilt, shame, or obsessive doubt
- Difficulty focusing due to mental loops
- Anxiety or panic triggered by uncertainty
- Depression or exhaustion from OCD
If OCD is affecting your relationships, work, or daily functioning, we are here to help.
A: A psychiatric provider evaluates intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and anxiety patterns to provide an accurate diagnosis. Treatment may include medication, symptom education, and coordination with ERP therapists. Medication can reduce obsessive intensity and support recovery.
A: SSRIs at higher therapeutic doses are the first-line treatment for OCD. Clomipramine and augmentation medications may be used if symptoms remain severe. Your provider will tailor treatment based on your medical history and symptom pattern.
A: Medication does not cure OCD but can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of obsessions and compulsions. The best long-term outcomes typically occur when medication is paired with ERP-based therapy.
A: OCD is diagnosed through a detailed assessment that explores intrusive thoughts, compulsions, mental rituals, avoidance behaviors, triggers, and functional impact. Your psychiatrist helps distinguish OCD from anxiety, trauma responses, or other conditions.
A: Yes. Medication helps reduce symptoms, but ERP therapy is the gold standard for long-term improvement. Many clients use medication to make ERP more manageable and effective.