OCD treatment in South Carolina, built to loosen the loop between doubt and ritual

02Obsessions and compulsions

NIMH describes obsessions as repeated thoughts, urges or mental images that are intrusive, unwanted and cause anxiety, and compulsions as repetitive behaviors a person feels the urge to do, often in response to an obsession. Some compulsions are visible, like washing or checking; others are mental, like counting, praying or repeating words silently. Our post on Pure-O OCD covers mostly mental compulsions.

Common obsessions

NIMH lists fear of germs or contamination; fear of forgetting, losing or misplacing something; fear of losing control; aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself; unwanted taboo thoughts involving sex, religion or harm; and a desire for symmetry or perfect order. See our guides to contamination OCD and harm OCD.

Common compulsions

NIMH lists excessive cleaning or handwashing, ordering or arranging items precisely, repeatedly checking things like locks or the oven, compulsive counting, and praying or repeating words silently. Reassurance-seeking and avoidance often act like compulsions too; see recognizing compulsions.

03When rituals take over

NIMH notes OCD symptoms may start slowly, can come and go or worsen over time, often get worse during stress, and may change themes over time. Untreated, OCD can become severe and interfere with daily life. Our guides on symptoms under stress and obsessional slowness cover how that looks.

04Medication for OCD

NIMH notes the most common OCD medications are antidepressants that target serotonin, mainly SSRIs, that they can take 8 to 12 weeks to begin working, and that OCD may need higher doses than depression. The International OCD Foundation notes SSRIs and clomipramine are the only medications found effective as standalone OCD treatments. Our guide on SSRIs vs. clomipramine compares them.

ERP is central

NIMH notes exposure and response prevention, a specific type of CBT, reduces compulsions even for people who don’t respond well to medication, and that psychotherapy can be as effective as medication for many people. Dr. Farkas focuses on medication and coordinates with ERP therapists. Our post on ERP and medication combined explains how they fit together.

When first steps aren't enough

For OCD that hasn’t responded, options include higher SSRI doses, clomipramine, augmentation and TMS, which NIMH notes the FDA cleared for severe OCD. Our posts on high-dose SSRIs and augmentation strategies go deeper.

05Your first 90 days of care

Here’s how OCD care usually runs in the first three months. It’s a general outline, not a promise about timing or results, because every plan follows the diagnosis, your goals and your response.

06Telehealth and in-person care across South Carolina

Medication management works well by secure video anywhere in South Carolina, and many ERP therapists also work by video. In-person appointments are available at the Bluffton office.

The location rule

State licensing law applies to where you are during the visit. You need to be physically in South Carolina, or New York, at the time of your appointment. Tell the office in advance if you’ll be traveling.

Why access matters here

An OCD psychiatrist in South Carolina can be a video call away, wherever you live in the state. South Carolina had 247.8 mental health providers per 100,000 people in September 2025, compared with 362.6 nationally, according to America’s Health Rankings.

07Common OCD themes

OCD can attach to almost anything. Our guides cover checking, scrupulosity, sexual orientation OCD and existential OCD, among others. Our post on relationship OCD covers another.

Related conditions

NIMH notes some people with OCD also have a tic disorder, and that mood and anxiety disorders commonly occur with OCD. Hoarding disorder, trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder are related but distinct; see hoarding vs. OCD and our body dysmorphic disorder post.

Life stages

NIMH notes OCD usually begins between late childhood and young adulthood, but it can start at any age. Reproductive events can affect symptoms; see OCD in perimenopause and late-onset OCD.

08Cost, coverage and getting started

The practice is in-network with Aetna and Cigna. For other plans, you can pay directly and request a superbill; our superbill guide explains how. Self-pay fees are on the Good Faith Estimate page. ERP therapy is billed separately by the therapist, and our cost and insurance guide covers how coverage works.

Choosing a clinician

New patients can schedule with Dr. Farkas or with Jennifer Reilly, PMHNP-BC, who generally has the earliest availability. Both follow the same clinical standards.

What to bring

A list of every medication you’ve tried for OCD or anxiety, with the highest dose and how long you took it; any ERP or therapy history; and a rough sense of how much time obsessions and compulsions take each day. You don’t have to describe every thought in detail. The new patient page covers forms and telehealth setup.