Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that can affect and disrupt your life through unwanted or repeated thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that make you feel driven to do something. If you have OCD, you carry out a behavior to get rid of the repeated thoughts, but this only provides temporary relief, and not performing the behavior can cause even more anxiety.
There are many types of obsessions and compulsions you might experience if you have OCD. One example is someone with an obsessive fear of germs may wash their hands again and again in the hopes of avoiding infection. The person usually recognizes their behavior is excessive or unreasonable.
OCD is best defined as obsessions or compulsions that:
- Are not caused by medical illness or drug use
- Cause distress or interfere with daily life
FAQs about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
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ArticlesWhat causes OCD?
There are many theories about the cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), none of which have been confirmed. More research is needed, but some specialists believe OCD may be related to Tourette syndrome, brain abnormalities, head injuries, or infections. It’s believed that overactive circuits in the brain add to a high level of anxiety. People with OCD engage in repetitive behaviors as a way of controlling this anxiety.
How is OCD diagnosed?
Your psychiatrist may be able to diagnose OCD based on a description of the behaviors and thoughts you have experienced. A physical exam with a psychiatric evaluation can rule out other possible physical or mental causes or disorders. One tool, called the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) can help diagnose and track the progress of OCD before and after treatment.
What are treatments for OCD?
Treating OCD can involve multiple medications and therapies. Doctors often start medication therapy by prescribing anti-depressants. Variations on this type of drug may be tried alone or in combination with other medications.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for OCD. CBT places the patient in a situation that triggers the obsessive thoughts, allowing them to gradually tolerate the anxiety and resist the urge to perform the behavior. CBT may be combined with medication therapy for better results than either therapy by itself.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is currently being used for OCD patients on a case-by-case basis under strict criteria.
Can I treat OCD at home?
Most people with OCD benefit from medication and/or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While you may be able to work on controlling your obsessions or compulsions on your own for a while, OCD is a chronic condition that does not yet have a cure. Therapy, medication, and in some cases, DBS, have been shown to provide people with the most control over their OCD.
When should I see a specialist for my OCD?
If you are struggling with managing your OCD or feel like your current line of treatment is not helping you achieve the quality of life goals you seek, you may want to consult a specialist for your OCD.
Denver area neurosurgeons at Neurosurgery One can offer insights and help determine whether DBS for OCD might be right for you.
DBS is currently being used on a case-by-case basis for OCD under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) from the FDA. Patients must meet several criteria in order to be considered a candidate for DBS. This is the first psychological disorder that uses DBS for treatment, but it will most likely not be the last as more research is conducted into this groundbreaking therapy.
DBS works on patients with OCD by stimulating the region of the brain where circuits are working overtime. The electrical signal sent by the DBS device interrupts the overactive circuits, leading to reduced anxiety and reduced compulsive behaviors. This allows patients to participate more effectively in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or respond to medication therapies. For this reason, DBS for OCD should be considered a treatment rather than a cure.
