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OCD

Best results are achieved by combining both Medications and Psychotherapy with expertise of our Psychiatrists.

What is OCD

It is a common and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (“obsessions”) and/or behaviours (“compulsions”) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.

Obsessions are repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours that a person with OCD feels the urge to do in order to reduce obsessive thoughts. By carrying out compulsive acts, patients' anxiety is temporarily relieved. But anxiety reappears after sometimes with obsessive thoughts.

Are all rituals and habits part of OCD?

The thoughts and repetitive acts are very stressful to the patient and family members and they usually cause dysfunction in social and occupational life.Not all rituals or habits are compulsions/ OCD. Everyone double checks things sometimes. But a person with OCD generally:

  • Can’t control his or her thoughts or behaviours, even when those thoughts or behaviours are recognized as excessive
  • Spends at least 1 hour a day on these thoughts or behaviours
  • Doesn’t get pleasure when performing the behaviours or rituals, but may feel brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause
  • Experiences significant problems in their daily life due to these thoughts or behaviours
  • These repetitive acts or thoughts are very distressing and followed by guilt due to inability to stop.

Treatment options for OCD

OCD is typically treated with medications and psychotherapy. Best results are achieved by combining both. Patients who show no/little improvement with these, can be benefited with newer techniques like rTMS (recurrent Trans-cranial magnetic Stimulation).

Medications for OCD:

  • Medicines may take 8 to 12 weeks to start working. Be patient.
  • Talk with your health care provider to make sure you understand the risks and benefits of the medications you’re taking.
  • Do not stop taking medication without talking to your health care provider first. Suddenly stopping a medication may lead to “rebound” or worsening of OCD symptoms. Other uncomfortable or potentially dangerous withdrawal effects are also possible.
  • Report any concerns about side effects to your health care provider right away. You may need a change in the dose or a different medication.

 

Type of Therapies given for OCD:

Psychotherapy can be an effective treatment for adults and children with OCD. Research shows that certain types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and other related therapies (e.g., habit reversal training) can be as effective as medication for many individuals. Research also shows that a type of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP)—spending time in the very situation that triggers compulsions (e.g. touching dirty objects) but then being prevented from undertaking the usual resulting compulsion (e.g. handwashing)—is effective in reducing compulsive behaviours in OCD.