Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: New York City Treatment
The term "obsessive-compulsive" has become commonplace American vocabulary, and is usually used to refer to a person’s meticulous, perfectionist personality, as well as a deep fixation on an issue. These traits, when taken to an extreme, become symptoms of a debilitating anxiety disorder known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is said to affect one in fifty American adults, with onset common amongst children and adolescents, as well. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is one of the common mental illnesses in the United States, diagnosed as frequently as asthma or diabetes.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes unmitigated feelings of uneasiness, worry, fear, and excessive concern. Additionally, sufferers may have a preoccupation with sexual or aggressive impulses, as well as religious beliefs, that become burdensome and hinder everyday activities. Ultimately, OCD sufferers attempt to reduce their anxiety by performing repetitive activities, called "compulsions," aimed at quelling feelings of fear or worry. Examples of these compulsive activities include excessive hand washing or opening and closing doors a specific number of times before entering or leaving a room.
Diagnosing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, better known as DSM, requires the patient experience crippling obsessions, compulsions, or both. A licensed mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, must make the diagnosis. The DSM also specifies that “clinically significant” obsessions and compulsions must be present in the patient, lying outside the normal range of worries and conventional problems. “Clinically significant” obsessions and compulsions must be chronic and enduring, becoming intrusive and affecting the patient’s quality of life by inflicting anxiety and distress. If left untreated, OCD can lead to clinical depression over time.
Psychiatric Excellence in New York City
Dr. Laakso has practiced neuropsychiatry, biological psychiatry, and psychopharmacology in the New York City area for years, and has a reputation as a thought leader and consultant for current trends in psychopharmacology. Dr. Laakso cares deeply about the wellbeing of each patient, and understands the intricate complexities of each patient’s unique case. Contact Dr. Laakso’s New York City office, conveniently located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, for more information on scheduling a consultation.
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