OCD Treatment in Wichita Falls
OCD is one of the leading causes of illness-related disability
Over the past century, treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have rapidly evolved. Clinicians classified OCD as a distinct anxiety disorder in the early 1900s. Since then, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressants like tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have become mainstream therapy. However, this treatment is effective in only 40% to 50% of patients.
New research suggests that medically-supervised ketamine infusion therapy could help relieve a significant proportion of people with OCD. Ketamine therapy can be a life-changing experience with one infusion. In some trials, ketamine therapy led to an immediate recession in OCD symptoms.
About OCD
5 Symptom Subtypes of OCD
Although OCD symptoms generally fall into one of these five subtypes, it is possible to undergo changes in the nature and focus of OCD symptoms over time.
- Contamination Obsessions with Washing/Cleaning: Those suffering from this symptom subtype tend to ruminate on feelings of discomfort associated with germs/contamination and will wash and clean excessively.
- Harm Obsessions with Checking Compulsions: Those experiencing this symptom subtype will often have intense thoughts regarding possible harm, either to themselves or others, and will use checking rituals to relieve their distress.
- Obsessions Without Visible Compulsions: Those experiencing this symptom subtype will often have unwanted obsessions regarding sexual, religious, or aggressive themes. Triggers related to these obsessions are usually avoided at all costs.
- Symmetry Obsessions with Ordering, Arranging, and Counting Compulsions: Those suffering from this symptom subtype may need to rearrange objects constantly. It can also involve thinking or saying sentences or words repeatedly until one feels it has been accomplished perfectly.
- Hoarding: This symptom subtype involves the collection of items of little or no value until one’s living space is consumed with so much clutter it becomes nearly uninhabitable. This behavior is often sparked by obsessive fears of losing items one feels may be needed one day.
Obsession Symptoms
Obsessions Could Look Like:
- Fear of contamination
- Needing things tidy and symmetrical
- Aggressive or horrific thoughts
- Disturbing sexual or religious thoughts
Symptoms of Obsession May Include:
- Fear of germs when handling objects others have touched
- Overwhelming distress when objects are out of order
- Upsetting thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else
- Strong impulses to shout obscenities or act inappropriately
- Avoidance of situations that can trigger obsessions to the point of obsession itself
Compulsion Symptoms
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that range in elaborateness. Usually, these behaviors are intended to reduce anxiety accompanying obsessive thoughts. However, these compulsions often temporarily relieve anxiety and offer no intrinsic pleasure.
Someone with OCD may invent rules or rituals they uphold to control anxiety and obsessive thoughts. These compulsions are usually intricate and do not observably affect the problems they’re intended to fix.
- Compulsions usually have themes, including:
- Cleanliness
- Counting
- Orderliness or symmetry
- Following strict regiments
- Requiring reassurances
Compulsion Signs and Symptoms Can Look Like:
- Repeatedly washing hands to the point of skin damage
- Checking the same door to see that it’s locked
- Worrying over whether the stove is off, even after many check-ins
- Counting in certain patterns
- Silently repeating a prayer, word, or phrase
- Arrange your canned goods to face the same way
Risk Factors
Some factors that may increase the risk of triggering OCD may include:
Family history. Family members with the disorder can increase your risk of developing OCD.
Stressful life events. This reaction may sometimes trigger the intrusive thoughts, rituals, and emotional distress associated with OCD.
Other mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders.
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