Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) traps people in a cycle of intrusive thoughts and the rituals used to quiet them. It can take hours out of every day, and it often persists even after medication and therapy.
At the Washington Interventional Psychiatry practices, WIP-DC and WIP-Rockville, psychiatrists treat OCD with medication management and TMS, which is FDA-cleared for OCD. We serve patients across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
OCD has two parts. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress. Compulsions are behaviors or mental acts done to reduce that distress. Consider seeing a psychiatrist if you or a loved one has:
A psychiatric evaluation, in person or by telehealth, confirms the diagnosis and checks for conditions that often come with OCD.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1.2% of U.S. adults have OCD in a given year, and about 2.3% will have it at some point in their lives. Symptoms often start in childhood or the teen years. Many people live with OCD for years before getting effective treatment.
Adults usually recognize that their obsessions are excessive but feel unable to stop the rituals. Children may not, and may involve parents in their rituals, ask for constant reassurance, or have tantrums when routines are interrupted.
Our fellowship-trained child and adolescent psychiatrists evaluate and treat OCD in children and teens with medication management and coordination with therapists. TMS is FDA-cleared for OCD in adults; in teens 15 and older it is cleared as an add-on treatment for depression, and its use for OCD is off-label.
OCD treatment works best when medication, therapy, and, when needed, TMS are coordinated by one psychiatrist.
FDA-cleared for OCD in adults, as an add-on to medication. Each session starts with a brief, personalized exercise that brings up your symptoms, so treatment targets the circuits involved while they are active. No anesthesia and no downtime. Offered at WIP-DC and WIP-Rockville.
SSRIs and clomipramine are FDA-approved for OCD. OCD often needs higher doses and longer trials than depression, managed closely by your psychiatrist.
The most effective therapy for OCD. We coordinate with your ERP therapist or help you find one.
Wondering whether TMS fits your OCD? Start with a complimentary consult. Learn more about TMS at WIP.
You can also read reviews from our patients.
WIP-DC: 4325 49th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016
WIP-Rockville: 1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 110, Rockville, MD 20852
Yes. TMS is FDA-cleared for obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults, as an add-on to medication. It is given in the office, with no anesthesia and no downtime.
Each session starts with a brief, personalized exercise that brings up your OCD symptoms, so treatment targets the brain circuits involved while they are active. Then the TMS session itself takes place while you’re awake and seated.
SSRIs such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline, and the older medication clomipramine, are FDA-approved for OCD. Higher doses and longer trials are often needed than for depression.
OCD used to be grouped with anxiety disorders and is now its own category. It often occurs alongside anxiety and depression.
Yes. Our fellowship-trained child and adolescent psychiatrists evaluate and treat OCD with medication management and coordination with therapists. TMS is FDA-cleared for OCD in adults; in teens 15 and older it is cleared as an add-on treatment for depression, and its use for OCD is off-label.
At WIP-DC in Spring Valley (4325 49th St NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016) and WIP-Rockville (1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 110, Rockville, MD 20852). Evaluations and medication follow-ups are also available by telehealth.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your symptoms and treatment options. Call (202) 525-5123 for WIP-DC or (240) 995-6005 for WIP-Rockville.
