Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

CAUSES   |   SYMPTOMS   |   TREATMENT

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessions are ongoing pattern of intrusive, recurrent thoughts that the patient find unreasonable, but is unable to control them. This causes high anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that the person has the urge to execute to decrease the emotional discomfort of obsessive preoccupations.

Obsessions and compulsions are sources of significant distress and anxiety. They are time consuming and even prevent people from being engaged in daily activities. They are isolating and effect all areas of daily life. There is a vicious cycle between obsessions and compulsion. In some cases the person suffers either from obsession or compulsion.

OCD is a chronic condition. Symptoms can start in early childhood and fluctuate throughout life. Stress can intensify the symptoms, limit function, and expand avoidance behavior. Alcohol and other recreational drugs are misused to diminish the distress and are the source other complications: like anxiety, depression, dependence , addiction, legal problems, medical problems, social isolation, suicide ,death etc The suicide risk for a person suffering from OCD is 10 times higher than in general population.

Causes of OCD

Causes of OCD

OCD has a strong genetic component as shown in family and twins studies that estimated heritability up to 45-65 %.

Environmental Causes of OCD

History of childhood physical and sexual abuse was correlated with increase risk for OCD. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS): It is a complication of a streptococcal infection. The child develops “over night” obsessions compulsions and /or vocal or motor tics.

Symptoms of OCD

Examples of Obsessive Thoughts

  • Fear of contamination
  • Fear of committing sins or being punished
  • Inappropriate sexual preoccupation
  • Fears of losing things
  • Fears of hurting people

Examples of Compulsive Behaviors

  • Ritualistic cleaning: Washing hands, showering
  • Ritualistic driving
  • Over checking- checking doors a certain amount of times, and in a certain order
  • Organizing things in a certain way/ angle
  • Counting
  • Walking in a certain direction

Treatment of OCD

Medication in the treatment of OCD

Antidepressants from different categories, and augmentation strategies, like atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are used for treatment of OCD.
At least 6-8 weeks of treatments are needed before expecting improvement. These agents have limited efficacy.

They also have a large spectrum of side effects. These side effects can effect the willingness of some patients to pursue treatment. If these medications are coupled with others the side effects can be even worse. Some of the side effects that can be experienced are cardiac, seizures, gastro intestinal, sexual, neurological, metabolic.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in conjunction with medication is used for OCD treatment. The form of CBT, that using Exposure and Response Prevention was found effective in reducing compulsive behavior.

TMS Treatment of OCD

In August 2018 the FDA cleared the use of Brainsway™ Deep TMS H7 coil for treatment of OCD. This new technology is able to target the anatomical structures involved in OCD. Symptoms improved significantly after 6 weeks of treatment. Deep TMS (DTMS) is a noninvasive procedure applying magnetic stimulation on prefrontal brain areas. Deep TMS is well tolerated and free of the systemic side effects of medication.

Deep Brain Stimulation and Brain Surgery

are invasive procedures for patients that did not get any relief from any other strategies of treatment.

Hope TMS Center

Your local TMS and dTMS center

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Thursday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Saturday: CLOSED

Sunday: CLOSED

Address

6800 Harris Parkway Suite 200 B Fort Worth Texas 76132

Phone Number

281-619-8329

Email Address

Contact@myhopetms.com

 

Contact Us

6800 Harris Parkway Suite 200 B Fort Worth Texas 76132

PHONE: 281-619-8329
EMAIL: contact@myhopetms.com

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