OCD Treatment
Alive Health + Wellness
A New OCD Treatment in Wildwood, MO, Shows Promising Results in Patients
Are you or someone you know struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? You are not alone.
The NIMH reports that OCD is more common in women than in men, with an estimated 1.8% of men and 2.9% of women in the United States having OCD in the past year.
In terms of age, OCD is most common in young adults. The NIMH reports that the prevalence of OCD is highest among adults aged 18 to 29, with an estimated 3.5% of this age group having had OCD in the past year.
Imagine being able to break free from the constant cycle of obsessions and compulsions, and regain control of your life. Recent studies have shown that ketamine, a commonly used anesthetic, may provide significant relief for individuals with OCD. Learn more about how ketamine therapy can help treat OCD and take the first step towards a brighter future.
How Does Ketamine for OCD Work?
Exactly how ketamine treats OCD and other mental health disorders is still under investigation. Recent evidence points to ketamine’s inhibitory effects on the NMDA receptor in the lateral habenula.
The lateral habenula is a brain region primarily responsible for encoding negative rewards or anti-reward cause-and-effect relationships. Those with OCD show an abnormal regulation of glutamate. As a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, ketamine prevents glutamate from activating the NMDA receptor.
The inhibition of the NMDA receptor may cause a build-up of free glutamate, which then activates the AMPA receptors. When surplus glutamate activates the AMPA receptor, it releases a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) chemical. BDNF, in interaction with the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), promotes new neural growth.
This new growth may reroute the brain from hyperactive areas associated with negative reward signals, thereby providing long-term relief from mental health conditions.
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions, which are repetitive and unwanted thoughts, and compulsions, which are repetitive and ritualized behaviors that a person feels compelled to perform. OCD can affect people in different ways, and there are several subtypes of OCD that mental health professionals recognize.
Checking: People with this subtype of OCD may have obsessions related to checking things, such as checking to ensure that the doors are locked, or the stove is off. They may also have compulsions related to checking, such as checking the same thing multiple times or repeating a behavior until it feels “just right.”
Contamination: People with this subtype of OCD may have obsessions related to contamination, such as fear of germs or dirt. They may also have compulsions related to contamination, such as washing their hands excessively or cleaning objects or surfaces repeatedly.
Symmetry and order: People with this subtype of OCD may have obsessions related to symmetry and order, such as a need to arrange objects in a certain way or a fear of disorganization. They may also have compulsions related to symmetry and order, such as arranging objects repeatedly or spending excessive time organizing things.
Hoarding: People with this subtype of OCD may have obsessions related to hoarding, such as needing to save or collect things that others may consider useless or unnecessary. They may also have compulsions related to hoardings, such as difficulty discarding objects or organizing their possessions.
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.
Can OCD Be Prevented?
There is no known way to prevent OCD from developing. OCD is thought to be caused by genetic and environmental factors, and it is unclear how these factors interact to cause the condition.
However, there are some things that people can do to reduce their risk of developing OCD or other mental health conditions. For example, taking steps to reduce stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques or engaging in regular physical activity, may help to prevent OCD or other mental health conditions from developing.
In addition, seeking treatment early for mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression, may help to prevent OCD or other mental health conditions from developing. Early treatment can help to manage symptoms and prevent them from becoming more severe or chronic.
Getting Treatment for OCD
People need to seek treatment for OCD for several reasons. First, OCD can significantly impact a person’s mental health and well-being. Symptoms of OCD can include obsessions, repetitive and unwanted thoughts, and compulsions, repetitive and ritualized behaviors. These symptoms can be severe and interfere with a person’s ability to function at work or school and their relationships with others.
Secondly, OCD is highly treatable; treatment can help people manage their symptoms and improve their overall mental health and well-being. Treatment for OCD typically includes a combination of therapy, medication, and self-care strategies.
In addition, OCD can also affect a person’s physical health. For example, OCD can cause sleep problems, leading to fatigue and difficulty functioning during the day. OCD can also cause physical symptoms, such as muscle tension and headaches, affecting a person’s overall health and well-being.
Finally, seeking treatment for OCD can also prevent the condition from becoming more severe or chronic. Left untreated, OCD can develop into more severe forms of the condition, which can be more challenging to treat and significantly impact a person’s life.
Take the first step in overcoming Your OCD
Don’t wait any longer to take control of your OCD. At Alive Health + Wellness in Wildwood, MO, we specialize in using ketamine therapy for OCD treatment. Our team of experienced medical professionals will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that best suits your needs. Don’t let OCD control your life any longer. Book your appointment at Alive Health + Wellness in Wildwood, MO, today and start your journey towards a happier, healthier you.
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