Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that an individual feels compelled to repeat. While often misunderstood, effective, evidence-based treatments are available to help individuals manage their symptoms and significantly improve their quality of life.
Summit at Harmony Oaks, located in Newport, TN, provides comprehensive and integrated treatment for OCD, focusing on personalized care within a supportive environment.
What Is OCD and Why It’s Often Misunderstood
OCD is far more complex than common stereotypes suggest, extending well beyond mere cleanliness or perfectionism.
Beyond Cleanliness and Perfectionism
The clinical reality of OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that cause significant distress and anxiety. These obsessions are often followed by repetitive mental or physical acts (compulsions) performed in an attempt to reduce the distress or prevent a feared outcome.
The connection between the obsession and compulsion may not be logical to an outside observer, but to the individual experiencing OCD, these rituals feel absolutely necessary. For example, a person might have an intrusive thought about harming a loved one and then feel compelled to repeat a specific phrase or check on that person multiple times to neutralize the thought.
Types of OCD We Commonly See
OCD manifests in various forms, and at Summit at Harmony Oaks, common presentations include:
- Contamination OCD: Characterized by obsessions about germs, dirt, or illness, leading to compulsive washing, cleaning, or avoidance behaviors.
- Checking OCD: Involves persistent doubts and fears, leading to repetitive checking of locks, appliances, or tasks to prevent harm or mistakes.
- Symmetry/Ordering OCD: Focuses on a need for things to be “just right” or in a specific order, resulting in compulsive arranging, counting, or repeating actions until they feel “even.”
- Intrusive Thoughts (Pure O): While compulsions may be less outwardly visible, individuals experience distressing intrusive thoughts, often violent, sexual, or religious in nature, and engage in mental compulsions (e.g., praying, reviewing, neutralizing thoughts) to cope.
How OCD Affects Quality of Life
The persistent cycle of obsessions and compulsions can severely impact an individual’s quality of life. OCD can lead to significant distress, consume hours each day, and interfere with work, school, relationships, and daily routines. The constant battle with intrusive thoughts and the need to perform rituals can be exhausting and isolating, often leading to shame and secrecy. This, in turn, can prevent individuals from seeking the necessary help, further entrenching the disorder.
OCD in Tennessee: Why Local Access Matters
Access to specialized OCD treatment, particularly in regions like East Tennessee, can be challenging, despite the significant need.
Limited Access to OCD Specialists in East Tennessee
Tennessee faces significant mental health challenges, with over 3.2 million Tennesseans living in counties lacking adequate mental health services, including a shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists. This scarcity of mental health professionals means that finding specialists specifically trained in evidence-based OCD treatments, such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), can be particularly difficult in East Tennessee communities like Newport and the surrounding rural areas. Without local access, individuals may have to travel long distances or forgo specialized care.
Intersection with Co-Occurring Disorders Like Substance Use
OCD frequently co-occurs with other mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. In Tennessee, where substance use and overdose rates are among the highest in the U.S., particularly for opioids and fentanyl, addressing co-occurring disorders is critical.
Individuals with OCD may turn to substances to self-medicate the intense anxiety and distress caused by their obsessions and compulsions. This intersection is especially common in rural areas, where there may be greater stigma around mental health, leading to delayed treatment and increased reliance on maladaptive coping mechanisms. Integrated treatment that addresses both OCD and substance use simultaneously offers the best chance for comprehensive recovery.
OCD and Trauma in Appalachian Communities
The impact of trauma is a significant factor in mental health, and clinical studies indicate that over 70% of people attending detox or rehab are living with symptoms of trauma. In Appalachian communities, including those in East Tennessee, intergenerational trauma, economic hardship, and the opioid crisis can intertwine with mental health conditions like OCD.
Trauma can contribute to the development or worsening of OCD symptoms, particularly compulsions aimed at seeking control or safety. Treating OCD effectively often requires a trauma-informed approach that acknowledges and addresses these underlying experiences.
How We Treat OCD at Summit at Harmony Oaks
Summit at Harmony Oaks adopts a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to OCD treatment, tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
Comprehensive Assessment for Accurate Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is the crucial first step in effective OCD treatment. OCD symptoms can overlap with other conditions, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and even psychotic disorders. Our thorough assessment process, which may include psychological and medical evaluations, helps to differentiate OCD from other conditions and identify any co-occurring disorders. This comprehensive understanding allows our team to create a precise and personalized treatment plan.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with ERP
The cornerstone of OCD treatment at Summit at Harmony Oaks is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically incorporating Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP is considered the “gold standard” for OCD treatment and involves gradually exposing individuals to their feared thoughts or situations (obsessions) while simultaneously preventing them from engaging in their compulsive behaviors. This process helps individuals learn that their feared outcomes are unlikely to occur and that they can tolerate the anxiety without resorting to compulsions, thereby breaking the OCD cycle.
Trauma-Informed Care for OCD
Recognizing the significant impact of trauma on mental health, Summit at Harmony Oaks integrates trauma-informed care into OCD treatment. For individuals with trauma-based compulsions or those where OCD developed following traumatic experiences, addressing the underlying trauma is essential for comprehensive healing. Therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are utilized to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional impact.
Medication Management When Appropriate
Medication, particularly Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), can be an effective component of OCD treatment, often used in conjunction with therapy. Our medical team, led by Dr. Brian Fuller, provides expert psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication management, emphasizing the use of the lowest necessary non-addictive doses. We also provide thorough education on medication tolerance, potential side effects, and the importance of adherence to the prescribed regimen.
Group and Individual Therapy Tracks
Treatment at Summit at Harmony Oaks includes both group and individual therapy sessions. Individual therapy provides a confidential setting for personalized support, goal setting, and deeper exploration of specific challenges and triggers. Group therapy offers a supportive environment where individuals can share experiences, learn from peers, and gain a sense of community, reducing feelings of isolation often associated with OCD.
Why Residential OCD Treatment May Be Right for You
For some individuals, residential OCD treatment offers a level of intensive support that cannot be achieved in an outpatient setting.
When Outpatient Care Hasn’t Worked
If symptoms persist or worsen despite consistent outpatient therapy, a residential program can provide the immersive environment needed for a breakthrough. The concentrated, daily therapy and structured environment of residential care can help individuals make significant progress when less intensive options have fallen short.
Severe Compulsions or Suicidal Ideation
For individuals experiencing severe and debilitating compulsions that significantly impair daily functioning, or those struggling with co-occurring suicidal ideation, a 24/7 supervised residential setting offers crucial safety and support. It removes individuals from environmental triggers and provides constant monitoring and immediate intervention when needed.
Safe Environment to Interrupt Compulsive Behaviors
Residential treatment provides a controlled and supportive environment where individuals can safely and consistently interrupt their compulsive behaviors. This consistent practice, away from the usual stressors and triggers of daily life, is vital for effectively implementing ERP and building new, healthier coping mechanisms. The structured routine and peer support help reinforce these new behaviors around the clock.
Summit at Harmony Oaks: Your Partner in OCD Recovery
Summit at Harmony Oaks is dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to OCD recovery, offering holistic and integrated care.
Holistic Support: Mindfulness, Yoga, Nutrition
Our approach extends beyond traditional therapy to include holistic and complementary therapies that support overall well-being. These include mindfulness meditation, yoga, and nutritional counseling. These practices help individuals manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and foster a healthier mind-body connection, aiding in sustained recovery.
Our on-site chef prepares nutritious meals, accommodating dietary restrictions, recognizing the link between physical and mental health.
Community-Focused Healing in a Private East Tennessee Setting
Located in Newport, TN, Summit at Harmony Oaks offers a tranquil and private setting conducive to healing. The facility fosters a strong sense of community, encouraging peer support and shared experiences, which are vital for reducing isolation and building healthy connections. This blend of privacy and community creates an ideal environment for focused recovery.
Step-Down Levels of Care: PHP, IOP, Aftercare
Recovery is a journey, not a destination. Summit at Harmony Oaks provides a full continuum of care to support individuals through every phase. This includes Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Outpatient Services (OP), and robust aftercare planning. Aftercare planning begins within the first 24 hours of admission, connecting clients with ongoing therapy, local support groups (AA, NA), and community resources for employment or education to prevent relapse and support long-term well-being.
Insurance-Friendly, with 24/7 Admission Support
Summit at Harmony Oaks is committed to making treatment accessible. They work with most major private, national and state insurance plans and offer free and immediate insurance verification. Their admissions specialists are available 24/7 to provide confidential support, answer questions, and guide individuals through the seamless admissions process, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to quality care.
Most Insurance Accepted
As a member of the Harmony Health Group family of treatment programs, we are able to work with many private insurance plans.
Verify InsuranceLocal Stats: OCD and Mental Health in East Tennessee
Understanding the local mental health landscape underscores the importance of accessible and comprehensive care in East Tennessee.
- 3.2M Tennesseans live in mental health shortage areas: Over 3.2 million Tennesseans live in counties lacking adequate mental health services, including a shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists. This highlights the significant need for facilities like Summit at Harmony Oaks to provide specialized care.
- High ER utilization for mental health crises: The state has seen high rates of individuals unable to access counseling or therapy when needed. This often results in higher emergency room utilization for mental health crises, as individuals have limited alternatives for acute care.
- OCD often co-exists with anxiety, which is highly prevalent: Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in Tennessee, with 43.5% of adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression in early 2021. Given that OCD often co-exists with anxiety disorders, integrated treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously is crucial for effective outcomes.
Start Your Healing Journey
Contact UsIf you or a loved one is struggling with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, particularly when combined with other mental health challenges or if outpatient care has not been sufficient, Summit at Harmony Oaks is here to help. Our compassionate team and evidence-based programs are designed to empower you to manage your symptoms, interrupt compulsive behaviors, and build a foundation for lasting recovery.