OCD

What is OCD?

OCD is a mental health disorder that causes unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) that compel you to do something to ease your anxiety and make the obsessions stop. The actions you take, called compulsions, take the form of repetitive rituals.

Your behavioral rituals may temporarily relieve your obsessions, but the thoughts eventually return. In severe cases, you may spend so much time with obsessions and acting out compulsions that you can't work, maintain relationships, or engage in normal daily life.

What obsessions does OCD cause?

The intrusive thoughts associated with OCD generally follow a theme. A few of the most common obsessions include:

• Fear of germs or getting sick
• Fear of being harmed
• Fear of saying something offensive
• Need for items to be in order
• Need for cleanliness
• Need for symmetry
• Disturbing sexual thoughts
• Recurring sounds or images
• Thoughts of aggression or violence

People with OCD realize their thoughts aren't rational, but they can't make them stop. As a result, they feel incredible stress and anxiety.

What compulsions might I have with OCD?

Your compulsive behaviors usually follow the theme of your obsessions, but there are some exceptions. For example, some people respond to any type of obsession by counting. You may need to count up to a specific number or count certain items.

These are a few examples of compulsions that stay in line with obsessions:

Germ obsession

You may frequently wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, or take showers.

Fear of being harmed

A fear of harm may trigger compulsive behaviors such as constantly checking your doors and windows to be sure they're locked or checking the stove to reassure yourself it's turned off.

Need for order or symmetry

You may need to put items in a precise order or location, often rearranging them to be sure they're perfectly placed (even when they're already in order).

How is OCD treated?

During your first appointment, your provider at Oasis Therapeutics does a psychological evaluation and learns about the severity and frequency of your obsessions and compulsions. Then they create a personalized care plan that may include recommendations for one or more of the following:

Therapy

Therapy teaches you to find ways to deal with the obsessions and limit or stop compulsive behaviors.

Medications

The psychiatric medications used for OCD can help reduce symptoms, but they're not effective for 30-60% of people with OCD.  

Ketamine infusion therapy

When therapy and medications haven't helped, you may be a good candidate for a ketamine infusion. Ketamine restores normal glutamate levels in your brain, which improves OCD even when other medications don't help.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) describes a variety of technologies and techniques, all of which use magnetic waves to change activity in the brain, helping to reduce symptoms of OCD. Also, TMS may alleviate symptoms of OCD in patients resistant to other treatments. 

OCD doesn't need to rule your life. To get help, call Oasis Therapeutics or book an appointment online today.