WHY IS THE DIAGNOSIS OF OCD OFTEN MISSED?
Other mental health disorders may mimic OCD. These include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disorders (LD), Tourette’s Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
It is easy to understand why OCD may be incorrectly diagnosed. The intense anxiety experienced by one with OCD may be expressed in inattentiveness, agitation or frustration in school, work or at home. Further, a child suffering from OCD may exhibit defiant behavior, including “talking-back”, incessant arguing and failure to follow rules.
Incorrect diagnosis and treatment may result in one feeling misunderstood, hopeless, frustrated and “weird”, leading to social and academic withdrawal.
OCD must be accurately diagnosed. As an OCD specialist, Ms. Diamond employs specific tests to determine the presence of this disorder. Additionally, these tests are used in order to define its severity and type.
TREATMENT OF OCD
The goal of therapy is to allay anxiety and improve functioning, so one no longer has to succumb to obsessive thoughts or compulsions.
The therapeutic modality used is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which includes Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP). Ms. Diamond uses a a structured treatment process in which one identifies personal obsessions and compulsions, and their severity. Utilizing this therapeutic technique, each frightful symptom is exposed and confronted. Through therapy, one realizes that OCD fears are exaggerated and unfounded. In the final stage of therapy, one becomes empowered with the awareness that there are no adverse consequences of resisting obsessive thoughts and compulsive acts.