Treating OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) ranks 10th in the World Health Organization’s list of leading causes of disability. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists OCD in the top ten most disabling illnesses. This is because of the huge impact it has on a sufferer’s quality of life and productivity both personally and professionally. As our understanding of neuroscience and mental health have evolved, we can now look at OCD more holistically and offer you solutions that are more sustainable and personalised, so that the underlying cause can be addressed.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. As the name suggests, it is characterised by unreasonable fears or thoughts (obsessions) which often lead to compulsive physical behaviours or urges.

OCD can present itself in different ways, but the most common feature is an obsession to perform certain actions or rituals in response to obsessive thoughts. For others, these acts seem unnecessary, but if you are affected by OCD, these actions are vital. The person may perform them in a certain style or order to avoid perceived adverse effects. One example is a compulsion to repeatedly check whether a car door or home is locked. Other examples may include repeating certain words or sounds, or obsession to hygiene with repeated hand washing and cleaning.

OCD is more common in women than in men, although it has a similar impact on all genders. Most OCD patients understand that their behaviour is not rational. However, because sufferers consider the compulsions necessary to prevent related anxieties or tensions, they will continue to be performed. The compulsive behaviour aims to ignore, neutralise, or even stop the obsessive thought.

Compulsive behaviours can have serious negative impacts on sufferers and those close to them. They put stress on relationships and can inhibit a person’s ability to manage normal daily activities, such as work or study.

What is considered a compulsion?

• Repeated behaviours – such as hand washing, ordering items, or checking things – or mental acts, including praying, counting, repeating words. OCD sufferers perform these tasks in response to an obsession and often according to certain rules.
• These behaviours or mental acts are intended to prevent or reduce stress. Sometimes there is also a fear that a negative event will occur if they do not follow through with the compulsion. However, these behaviours or mental acts are not related to real-life circumstances.

• Recurrent and persistent thoughts
• Recurrent impulses or mental images
• Thoughts and impulses are experienced as forced or irrational
• Obsessive thoughts can cause anxiety or stress
• More than an exaggerated concern
• Attempting to ignore or suppress the thoughts
• Attempting to neutralise the thoughts with other thoughts or actions
• Awareness that obsessive thoughts and impulses are a product of your own mind

Medications for OCD treatment

Medications are a common treatment the symptoms of OCD. In many cases, psychiatrists will prescribe antidepressants initially to help control both obsessions and compulsions.

Like all psychiatric medications, the patient can experience side effects and may need to try several types of medication before finding one that helps. Although they can offer relatively quick relief from symptoms this may be temporary as the effects may wear off over time.

Psychotherapy for OCD treatment

Psychotherapy or talk therapy has been used effectively to treat OCD. This type of therapy works especially well when it is combined with medication. Your therapist may suggest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help with your OCD. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a type of CBT that works well for OCD. With this treatment, you are gradually exposed to one of your obsessions and learn ways to prevent the compulsive response.

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) for OCD treatment

OCD can be treated effectively with TMS therapy. The benefits of magnetic stimulation are well researched, understood, and scientifically proven as a treatment for Depression as well as OCD. TMS has the advantage that it aims to support natural recovery from illness, harnessing the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. There are also minimal side effects when compared to medications. At neurocare, we combine TMS with Psychotherapy as an OCD treatment. Several studies have found TMS and psychotherapy combined can be a beneficial option, particularly for patients who have not responded to other treatments. By addressing any sleep hygiene related issues, this can increase the likelihood of responding positively to the therapy. (Donse et al. 2017).