Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that causes recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions). These patterns can take a serious toll on someone’s daily life, relationships, and overall sense of well-being. For many, it can feel like being stuck in a loop they didn’t choose, with no clear way out. But there is a path forward. At Retreat of Broward, we offer comprehensive, compassionate OCD treatment in Pompano Beach, FL, through our inpatient mental health program. Here, individuals receive structured care in a supportive environment, one that encourages healing, self-discovery, and long-term stability. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with OCD for years, relief is possible, and help is within reach.
Recognizing the Cycle of OCD
Living with OCD often means navigating an exhausting pattern of distressing thoughts and behaviors that seem to repeat endlessly. This pattern is known as the OCD cycle, and understanding it is an important step toward reclaiming control and beginning meaningful treatment. The cycle generally follows four key stages:
- Obsessions: Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, fears, or mental images that cause anxiety. These might include fears of contamination, harming others, making a mistake, or needing things to be “just right.”
- Anxiety or distress: These obsessive thoughts trigger intense emotional discomfort, often accompanied by guilt, shame, or panic.
- Compulsions: In response to the anxiety, a person feels driven to perform certain behaviors or mental acts to neutralize the fear. This might involve excessive handwashing, checking, counting, repeating phrases, or avoiding specific situations.
- Temporary relief: Compulsions may ease anxiety for a short time, but they don’t resolve the underlying obsession. Instead, they reinforce the cycle, making it harder to stop in the long term.
This cycle can consume hours of a person’s day and significantly interfere with their ability to function. But with the right support, especially in a focused, therapeutic setting, breaking the cycle becomes possible.
Signs That OCD Is Disrupting Someone’s Life
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), OCD affects approximately 2.5 million adults in the United States, or about 1.2% of the population. Women are nearly three times more likely to be affected than men, and the condition often begins early in life. The average age of onset is around 19, with one in four cases emerging by age 14. In fact, about one-third of adults with OCD report that their symptoms first appeared during childhood.
Some individuals with OCD can manage their symptoms in daily life. But for many, obsessions and compulsions become overwhelming. Knowing the most common symptoms of OCD can help identify when it’s time to seek professional OCD treatment in Pompano Beach, FL.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent, intrusive fears (contamination, harm, imperfection)
- Repetitive rituals (washing, checking, counting, ordering)
- Mental compulsions (praying, repeating phrases, reviewing events)
- Avoidance of triggers
- Intense anxiety or distress when unable to complete compulsions
When OCD symptoms interfere with relationships, school, work, or personal safety, inpatient OCD treatment may be the most effective way forward.
When OCD Treatment Becomes Necessary
There comes a point when OCD symptoms can no longer be managed at home or through outpatient care alone. Some signs that it may be time to consider OCD treatment include compulsions or obsessions that take up more than an hour a day, inability to perform daily tasks due to overwhelming rituals, co-occurring addiction and mental health concerns like depression or anxiety, having suicidal thoughts or behaviors related to OCD, and lack of progress in outpatient therapy.
At Retreat of Broward, our OCD treatment in Florida provides a safe, structured environment for individuals who need more intensive support. Our experienced clinicians understand the complexities of OCD and are here to guide you toward lasting recovery.
How Long Does Treatment for OCD Last?
The length of inpatient care can vary depending on the severity of symptoms, co-occurring disorders, and each individual’s progress. Most clients spend several weeks in treatment, with some needing longer to stabilize and develop sustainable coping skills. During this time, our focus is not only on reducing OCD symptoms but also on empowering individuals with tools to continue healing after they leave our care.
What to Expect During OCD Treatment at Retreat of Broward
From the moment you arrive at Retreat of Broward, you’re welcomed into a calm, supportive space designed for healing. Our OCD treatment in Pompano Beach, FL blends clinical excellence with personalized care because every person’s experience with OCD is different.
Here’s what treatment might include:
- A full psychiatric evaluation to understand symptoms and history
- Individualized care plans tailored to your needs
- Medication management, if appropriate
- Regular one-on-one sessions with licensed therapists
- Daily group therapy and peer support
- Family involvement and education, when helpful
Throughout the process, you are never alone. Our team walks alongside you, helping you move through discomfort, build resilience, and find relief that lasts.
Evidence-Based Therapies for OCD
Therapy is at the heart of our approach to obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment in Pompano Beach. We use proven methods to help clients reduce symptoms, manage triggers, and develop healthier responses to distressing thoughts. Each therapeutic approach is carefully chosen based on the individual’s needs, ensuring the care they receive is not only effective but deeply personal.
Some of the therapies offered are:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a cornerstone in treating OCD. It helps individuals challenge the distorted beliefs driving their obsessions and gradually reduce reliance on compulsions. This therapy also strengthens a person’s ability to cope with anxiety and recognize unhealthy thought patterns as they arise.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps with emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness, skills that are especially helpful for clients who experience intense anxiety or co-occurring disorders alongside OCD. It also supports greater emotional awareness, making it easier to manage triggers without resorting to compulsions.
Individual and Group Therapy
Individual sessions provide space to explore personal triggers and progress. Group therapy fosters connection and community, allowing clients to learn from one another’s experiences. Both formats create opportunities for insight, accountability, and encouragement throughout the healing process.
Treating OCD Through Inpatient Mental Health Care at Retreat of Broward
At Retreat of Broward, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder treatment in Pompano Beach is provided through our structured and supportive Inpatient Mental Health Program. This level of care is ideal for individuals whose symptoms have become unmanageable in everyday life or who need a more intensive setting to stabilize and heal.
Our inpatient program offers a safe, round-the-clock environment where individuals receive continuous care from licensed mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, nurses, and therapists. Treatment plans are tailored to each individual, blending evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT with holistic support, medication management, and crisis stabilization when needed.
If co-occurring mental health concerns are present, they’re addressed simultaneously. This integrated approach not only promotes symptom relief but also lays the foundation for sustainable, long-term recovery.
Whether OCD has been a lifelong struggle or has recently intensified, our inpatient mental health services are designed to help individuals regain control, find stability, and begin a meaningful journey toward healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seeking OCD treatment in Florida can come with a lot of questions, and that’s completely normal. Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or a loved one, understanding what to expect can make the process feel less overwhelming. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about OCD and the care we provide at Retreat of Broward:
What are the most common symptoms of OCD?
The most common symptoms include persistent intrusive thoughts (obsessions), such as fears of contamination or harm, and repetitive behaviors (compulsions), such as excessive cleaning or checking. These symptoms often cause significant distress or disrupt daily life.
How is OCD diagnosed?
OCD is diagnosed by a mental health professional through a comprehensive evaluation that includes a discussion of symptoms, their duration, and impact on functioning.
Does Retreat of Broward offer inpatient treatment for OCD?
Yes. Our inpatient mental health program provides structured, round-the-clock care for individuals struggling with OCD and other mental health concerns.
Is medication a part of OCD treatment?
It can be. Some clients benefit from medication management as part of their overall treatment plan, particularly SSRIs, which are commonly prescribed to manage OCD symptoms.
How do I know if I need inpatient treatment?
If OCD is interfering with your ability to function day to day, or if outpatient therapy hasn’t brought relief, inpatient care may be the right next step.