OCD Treatment | Denver
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment Denver
Your Journey Towards A Better Day
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that impacts children to adults, and greatly interferes with daily life. OCD can be managed, typically with a combination of medication and therapy. Beginning psychiatric care for OCD treatment is a proactive step toward improving your mental well-being. We provide compassionate and evidence-based mental health care for both adult and youth patients suffering from OCD.
A Better Day Psychiatry offers a team of qualified professionals who specialize in evidence-based OCD treatment in Denver, Golden, Lakewood, and throughout Colorado. Schedule with a provider today for OCD treatment options. Begin your journey towards A Better Day.
OCD Evaluation and Diagnosis Denver
The Process At A Better Day Psych
The process of diagnosing OCD begins with a psychiatric evaluation. The OCD evaluation can be done entirely virtually via a telehealth appointment.
During the intake, your provider will review your presenting symptoms and screen for other mental health disorders. They will review your past psychiatric, medical, family, social, substance, and developmental histories to form a complete picture. If there is important information to get from family members or if there are past evaluations, those will be reviewed. With all of this information, your provider will be able to form a more accurate diagnosis. For OCD, some of the specific things your provider will be looking at are:
- How much time do obsessions and compulsions take from your day.
- Distress associated with symptoms.
- Impacts to your daily life.
After the OCD evaluation and diagnosis, your provider will collaborate with you to create a personalized treatment strategy centered around your goals for healing.
The Process At A Better Day Psych
At A Better Day Psychiatry, our approach involves working closely with patients and their families to create customized treatment strategies. We consider our relationship with you as a partnership, emphasizing the importance of making treatment decisions together as a team to achieve optimal outcomes.
The first step in OCD treatment involves education about the treatment options and what may be the best fit. Treatment options may include:
OCD Treatment Options
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Exposure and Response Prevention Denver
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that is most effective for treating OCD. ERP involves exposing yourself to a feared obsession and changing how you respond by not engaging in compulsions. The goal of ERP is to desensitize individuals to their fears and reduce the anxiety associated with them.
Medication for OCD | Psychiatric Medication Management
Medication is an option for OCD and is particularly helpful when paired with ERP as it offers an integrative approach to treating OCD. Antidepressants are the most frequently prescribed medications for OCD. At A Better Day Psychiatry, our approach is to begin with the lowest effective dose for the patient when starting a medication. However, the decision to start medication is always yours. Should you begin medication, you’ll continue to receive care through our psychiatric medication management program (LINK).
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
ABD is now excited to offer TMS as an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment for OCD. Please see our TMS Page for more information.
OCD Support Services
OCD support groups offer individuals emotional support, educational resources, and practical assistance for managing their condition.
A Better Day Psychiatry can provide OCD treatment in Denver and surrounding areas with qualified and caring providers.
About OCD
Facts and Symptoms in Adults and Children
An estimated 1.2% of U.S. adults have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). While OCD can manifest at any age, it typically emerges between the ages of 8-12 or between the late teen years and early adulthood. Individuals with OCD experience intrusive thoughts and ideas (obsessions) that lead to unwanted routines and behaviors (compulsions).These obsessions and compulsions often interfere with daily life, causing significant distress and impaired functioning.
Examples of OCD Obsessions (Thoughts):
- Fear of contamination or germs.
- Disturbing or morally distressing thoughts.
- Intrusive thoughts of causing harm to oneself or others, such as fears of accidentally hurting someone.
- Persistent doubts about safety or the possibility of making a mistake.
- Unwanted sexual thoughts or images that go against one's values or beliefs
- Need for symmetry or orderliness.
- Obsessions with religious or moral purity.
- Preoccupation with certain numbers or lucky/unlucky symbols.
- Fear of losing control.
Examples of OCD Compulsions:
- Repeatedly checking locks, switches, or appliances to ensure they are turned off or locked.
- Excessive hand washing, showering, or cleaning rituals, often in response to fears of contamination.
- Repeatedly counting or arranging items in a specific order to reduce anxiety or prevent harm.
- Seeking reassurance from others about fears or doubts, such as repeatedly asking for confirmation that something is safe or okay.
- Engaging in mental rituals, such as silently repeating certain words or phrases, to neutralize obsessive thoughts or prevent harm.
- Avoiding specific places, people, or situations that trigger obsessive thoughts or anxiety.
- Tapping or touching objects a certain number of times or in a particular sequence.
- Engaging in repetitive prayers, rituals, or religious behaviors to reduce anxiety or prevent harm.
- Accumulating and saving items excessively, often due to fears of needing them in the future or concerns about losing important possessions.
- Needing objects to be arranged symmetrically or in a specific order to reduce anxiety or discomfort.
OCD Subtypes and Symptoms
The manifestation of OCD varies significantly depending on the subtype and symptoms you experience.
Below are common manifestations of OCD. Importantly, all OCD is treated the same way, no matter the subtype.
Existential OCD
Existential OCD involves obsessive thoughts regarding deep philosophical inquiries, such as the meaning of life, death, or existence.
Harm/Violent OCD
Harm/Violent OCD involves intrusive thoughts or images about causing harm to oneself or others, resulting in distress and behaviors like checking or avoiding triggers of these thoughts.
Health Concern/
Contamination OCD
Health Concern/Contamination OCD manifests as an obsession with being contaminated by germs, diseases, or toxins, leading to compulsions like excessive washing, cleaning, or avoiding perceived sources of contamination.
False Memory/
Real Events OCD
False Memory/Real Events OCD entails an obsession with the fear of having committed something wrong in the past, with compulsions including rumination or seeking reassurance regarding these potentially false memories or events.
Perfectionistic OCD
Perfectionistic OCD is characterized by a need for flawless execution, leading to compulsions such as excessive checking, organizing, or redoing tasks to meet unrealistically high standards.
Pure O OCD
Pure O OCD presents distressing and intrusive thoughts without visible compulsions, with mental compulsions such as reassurance-seeking or mental reviewing.
Relationship OCD (ROCD)
Relationship OCD (ROCD) involves obsessive doubts about romantic relationships, leading to constant questioning of love, attraction, or compatibility with a partner.
Religious OCD (Scrupulosity)
Religious OCD (Scrupulosity) entails intense worry about sinning or violating religious principles, often resulting in compulsions like excessive praying, confessing, or seeking reassurance.
Responsibility OCD
Responsibility OCD is an overwhelming fear of being responsible for something terrible happening, leading to constant checking or reassurance-seeking behaviors.
Sexual Orientation/
Gender OCD
Sexual Orientation/Gender OCD includes obsessive thoughts about sexual orientation or identity.
Sensorimotor OCD
Sensorimotor OCD involves hyper-awareness of bodily sensations or processes, such as blinking, breathing, or swallowing, causing distress and difficulty focusing on other matters.

Hair pulling OCD
Hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania)
Skin Picking OCD
Skin picking disorder (dermatillomania)
Impacts of Untreated OCD
Untreated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can have significant impacts on an individual’s life. Without proper intervention, OCD symptoms tend to worsen over time. Persistent obsessions and compulsions can consume a significant amount of daily time and energy, disrupting work, school, and social activities. Relationships may suffer as individuals with untreated OCD may struggle to maintain connections due to their preoccupation with obsessive thoughts and rituals. Additionally, untreated OCD can lead to comorbid mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, further exacerbating symptoms and reducing overall quality of life. Early recognition and intervention are crucial in minimizing the long-term impacts of OCD.
It’s vital to seek timely treatment and support from mental health professionals to manage OCD. Our team at A Better Day Psychiatry is adept and experienced in OCD treatment in Denver, Lakewood, Golden, and surrounding areas.
Start your journey towards A Better Day.
At A Better Day Psychiatry, we’re dedicated to enhancing your quality of life, despite challenges of OCD. Our anxiety & OCD treatment specialists will conduct thorough diagnoses and offer tailored treatment for OCD. We provide comprehensive care to effectively manage symptoms and enhance overall well-being. Schedule an appointment with one of our providers for an evaluation and explore treatment options for OCD.
OCD FAQs
At A Better Day Psychiatry, we want you to be informed and empowered in understanding the process of OCD clinic diagnosis and evaluation in adults and kids. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about OCD treatment Denver.
I'm uncertain if I have OCD. Isn't it common to experience worries about various things, people, or to avoid potential dangers?
A key differentiator for OCD from just typical worry and whether you may want to seek help involves:
- How much time do obsessions and compulsions take from your day.
- Distress associated with symptoms.
- Impacts to your daily life.
How long is OCD treatment?
OCD treatment largely depends on the severity and specific patterns of your OCD. Some individuals may find that they can effectively manage their OCD with the skills and techniques learned in therapy, and this may last them a lifetime. In other cases, individuals may need intermittent check ins or ongoing treatment with therapy and/or medications.
Is pediatric OCD therapy the same as for adults?
The general precepts of OCD treatment involving Exposure Response Prevention Therapy and/or medications is very similar between pediatric and adult populations. That being said, it can be invaluable to diagnose and treat OCD as early as possible for the longest term benefits.
Why are the individuals with OCD always portrayed as someone counting in movies? Do I have to have a counting obsession to be diagnosed with OCD?
The portrayal of individuals with OCD as someone counting in movies is a stereotype that doesn’t accurately represent the diversity of symptoms experienced by those with OCD. While counting compulsions are one possible manifestation of OCD, the disorder encompasses a wide range of obsessions and compulsions beyond counting. These may include fears of contamination, intrusive thoughts, excessive checking, arranging items in a specific order, or engaging in mental rituals. OCD is a complex condition, and the specific obsessions and compulsions vary from person to person. Therefore, you do not have to have a counting obsession to have OCD. It’s essential to seek professional evaluation and treatment to address your specific symptoms and improve your quality of life.
How can family members and loved ones support someone with OCD?
Family members and loved ones can support someone with OCD by educating themselves about the condition, fostering open communication, and encouraging professional help-seeking. Patience, understanding, and avoiding enabling behaviors are crucial, along with offering practical assistance and participating in therapy sessions if appropriate. Creating a supportive home environment, celebrating progress, and prioritizing self-care are also essential for both the individual with OCD and their support network.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment Near Me
A Better Day Psychiatry offers OCD Treatment in Denver, Golden, Lakewood, and surrounding areas.
For more information about OCD treatment Denver and OCD therapist Denver, reach out to us today!