Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment Clinic

Learn more about obsessive compulsive disorder treatment at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

There are a number of mental health conditions which, when present, can cause much turmoil in the lives of those who are afflicted. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, more commonly referred to as OCD, is one such mental health condition that can cause devastation in the lives of those who are subjected to its symptoms. For people with OCD, their days are filled with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can become so overwhelming and all-consuming that it negatively impacts their ability to fulfill even the most mundane of tasks. At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we recognize and acknowledge how monumentally difficult life can seem for people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder because they are unable to escape from the trap of their own minds. The powerlessness that these people feel can be debilitating and leave them feeling hopeless about their futures. But life does not have to continue to be this way. With proper treatment, the symptoms of OCD can be successfully overcome.

San Juan Capestrano Hospital is a 172-bed, short-stay private psychiatric hospital located in Metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since opening in 1988, we have prided ourselves on being a leader in offering superior treatment for individuals who are suffering from any number of behavioral and emotional concerns, as well as those who are plagued by chemical dependency issues. By offering programming options for adolescents, adults, and senior adults, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is able to afford immediate, acute care that is individualized to meet the unique needs of each patient with whom we work. Our staff consists of numerous mental health professionals, as well as addiction specialists and experienced medical personnel, who are able to facilitate services that emphasize the strengths that our patients possess, while understanding the sensitivity of the concerns that they face. We are proud of our ability to provide the highest quality of individualized care for obsessive-compulsive disorder available in Puerto Rico through innovative and distinctive treatment options that are based on integrity, respect, and compassionate care. We remain steadfast in our commitment to afford our patients with a safe and nurturing environment that will promote recovery and allow each individual to return to his or her respective community with an overall improved sense of emotional and physical wellbeing.

If you or a loved one is struggling with the often debilitating symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, look no further than San Juan Capestrano Hospital.

Helping a loved one get treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder

Having a family member or loved one who is suffering from OCD can be extremely distressing as you watch him or her participate in behaviors that are perplexing and seem foreign to you. Your loved one may engage in ritualistic behaviors that seem senseless or demonstrate irrational concerns over such things as symmetry or cleanliness that are so profound that it causes him or her to be incapable of functioning appropriately on a daily basis.. Your loved one may also be presenting with symptoms of severe distress over the existence of pervasive and disturbing thoughts that he or she is incapable of ridding. You want to help your loved one, but you may be feeling unsure as what you can do. The following are some suggestions for ways that you may be able to offer support:

• Educate yourself on obsessive-compulsive disorder. By gaining an understanding of this disease, the more empathy you will be able to express towards your loved one.
• Provide your loved one with an opportunity to fully express what he or she is experiencing. By simply having an open forum to talk about his or her distress, your loved one may discover some sense of relief because he or she will feel less alone.
• Research the various treatment options that are available for those suffering from OCD. Discuss those options with your loved one to see what type of treatment will best meet his or her specific needs.
• Offer to go with your loved one to any appointments for evaluations with mental health professionals that may be scheduled.
• Remain unconditionally supportive throughout the treatment process. The more involved you are, the greater your loved one’s chances for success become.

Why consider treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

Going through life plagued by the symptoms of OCD can be not only devastating for sufferers, but demoralizing as well. It can hinder their abilities to perform appropriately at work or in school. It can elicit feelings of loneliness, resulting in the desire to isolate themselves. Relationships can become disturbed. Activities that were once enjoyed can begin to seem troublesome. In some cases, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder may begin to experience suicidal ideation as they feel hopeless to ever find relief from their symptoms. But while you may feel as though there is no end to your suffering, there can be.

Inpatient treatment programs can afford those struggling with the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder the ideal environment to begin receiving the intensive treatment that they need. When individuals enter into an inpatient program, they are immediately being afforded the opportunity to step away from the stresses of their everyday lives; stresses that may be initiating or exacerbating their symptoms. In this environment, these people are able to focus solely on defeating their distress and becoming well again. With the support of mental health professionals, as well as the support of peers who are facing similar struggles, people with OCD can develop the skills they need to manage and ultimately overcome their debilitating symptoms. In this safe, comfortable, and confidential environment, the battle against obsessive-compulsive disorder can be fought and won.

Types of obsessive compulsive disorder treatment offered at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we wholeheartedly believe in the notion that each patient should have individualized treatment that meets his or her every need. For this reason, we afford each patient who comes to us struggling with the devastating symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder with individually tailored plans for treatment that are distinct to the adolescents, adults, and senior adults who come to us for mental health services. These plans detail the specific courses of treatment that patients will engage in and include aftercare recommendations that are devised by our staff so that every patient experiences a full continuum of care. The planning of treatment begins during the time of assessment and can be altered should additional concerns arise during the course of treatment at our hospital.

In order to meet the varying needs of individuals who are suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, as well as the possible co-occurring issue of chemical dependency, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is pleased to provide various levels of care and specialized programming options. Our hospital features separate adult and adolescent inpatient programs that treat a myriad of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder. The level of care most appropriate for a patient is decided upon during the initial psychiatric evaluation, wherein a patient’s needs are assessed, a physical examination is conducted, and a mental status assessment is administered in order to determine which program will produce the most favorable treatment outcomes for any given patient.

Once admitted to one of our programs, patients struggling with OCD have the ability to partake in a number of therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities. These methods are rooted in evidence-based principles and techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and the 12-step model for recovery for those individuals who are struggling with substance abuse concerns in addition to the distressing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The following methods for care are the ones primarily used at San Juan Capestrano Hospital and are implemented so that patients can find relief from the concerns that arise as a result of the presence of OCD:

Medical detoxification: For those that are battling a chemical dependency problem in addition to obsessive-compulsive disorder, San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers medically supervised detoxification services that are aimed at helping adults, aged 18 and older, withdraw from substances in the most effective and safest manner possible. These services are monitored by medical professionals who have experience in making the process of withdrawal as comfortable as can be so that patients can partake in therapeutic interventions with addiction specialists who can help springboard them towards lasting healing and a full recovery from addiction.

Medication management: The implementation of psychotropic medications are often a beneficial element to successfully and fully treatment the distressing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. One’s need for such medications, however, will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Our qualified psychiatrists will determine each patient’s individual needs for medication, prescribe the appropriate medications, and will then monitor the therapeutic effectiveness of those medications.

Individual therapy: All patients who take part in our inpatient programming for OCD engage in individual therapy sessions four times per week. Individual therapy is a treatment method that is designed to provide patients with an opportunity to process emotions and thoughts on a one-to-one basis with a member of our staff. For those who are struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, this can be an optimal time to reflect on counterproductive thought processes and practice skills for behavior management. This can also be a time for individuals to discuss any concerns that they may have, as well as to track treatment goals.

Group therapy: San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers a number of group therapy opportunities for patients with bipolar disorder that offers them the opportunity to find support in one another and hone skills that have been learned. Such sessions can be especially beneficial for individuals who are struggling with the distressing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder as they can provide them with the sense of comfort that comes with knowing that they are not alone in their struggles. Some of the topics covered in these groups include techniques for managing stress, improving communication, learning and adapting healthy coping methods, bettering self-esteem, dealing with grief and loss, and persevering through trauma. These groups are offered several times per week to maximize the benefits of treatment offered in a group setting.    

Family therapy: Family therapy is offered as a method of treatment during inpatient programming so that our patients can receive ample support from the people who care for them most. During family therapy sessions, patients and their loved ones can work through conflicts and improve communication so as to heal and better familial relationships through the implementation of skills that can service a family unit well for a lifetime. For the family members of patients with OCD, these sessions can also serve as a time for gaining education about the illness and learning ways in which they can best help and support their loved one.

We also include a number of other therapeutic interventions as a way to wholly treat the individuals who come to our hospital for care. Especially for those who are plagued by OCD and require additional support and/or resources, we supply the following interventions and group topics as part of our treatment; these interventions have proven effectiveness in helping our patients learn to manage stress and turmoil while gaining the tools needed to successfully manage the debilitating symptoms of their mental health condition while also addressing other concerns:   

• Relaxation techniques
• Recreational therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Canine therapy
• Pilates
• Infection control education
• Psychoeducation
• Anger management
• Medical issues management
• Crisis management
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Marijuana Anonymous

Continuing care and levels of treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we strive to provide the most comprehensive services that embody the highest quality of care possible for individuals who are suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. To fulfill this goal, we begin discharge planning at the time of admissions and feature a number of continuing care options at varying levels of treatment so that each and every one of our patient’s needs can be treated once a higher level of care is no longer required.

San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers partial hospitalization programs for both adolescents and adults. The adolescent program is catered to youth between the ages of 13 and 17 years old and our adult program is designed for those aged 18 and older who are struggling with mental health concerns, such as OCD.

Our hospital also features an adult substance abuse intensive outpatient program for individuals aged 18 and older who are battling the demon of addiction in addition to obsessive-compulsive disorder. This program is designed to continue the recovery process and help patients maintain sobriety after completing inpatient services.

Lastly, San Juan Capestrano Hospital provides outpatient services at eleven different locations on the island, including San Juan, Hatillo, Mayagüez, Caguas, Humanao, Manatí, Condado, Carolina, Ponce, Bayamón, and Guaynabo. Outpatient care allows patients to process feelings and thoughts with a mental health professional on a weekly basis.

Whatever your mental healthcare needs, the staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital is devoted to helping those who are entrusted into our care overcome mental health issues or substance abuse concerns. For individuals who are battling obsessive-compulsive disorder, we will put forth every effort possible to ensure that healing and lasting recovery is successfully achieved.