OCD Treatment
Ketamine for OCD Treatment
Ketamine is what some doctors are calling the biggest breakthrough in OCD and depression treatment in decades. When infused at a low dose into the bloodstream, research shows that Ketamine may be up to 80% effective at providing relief for OCD symptoms.
One of the main benefits to Ketamine Infusion for OCD treatment is its ability to sometimes bring relief to symptoms within minutes or hours, rather than the weeks or months your typical antidepressant may take.
If you or someone you may know is in need of an OCD Treatment Program, Contact Exodus Health of Pearland, TX, and schedule your free consultation today.
How Does Ketamine for OCD Treatment Work?
Ketamine for the treatment of OCD is being used by many clinics and physicians across the U.S. with positive results. Outcomes vary, but anecdotal reports include patients being able to use public toilets, shake hands with strangers, and minimize intrusive thoughts after receiving ketamine treatments.
Explore Different Options For OCD Treatment
The persistent symptoms of OCD may make you feel hopeless, but it is important to remember that even the worst cases of OCD can still be treated. There is nothing shameful in seeking help for OCD, especially if your symptoms are preventing you from performing average, everyday tasks.
Treatment for OCD can take many different forms. Some may find medication helpful, but others may turn to psychotherapy. Others still may find general lifestyle changes helpful in addition to their main treatment. That being said, OCD varies from person to person, and there is no one treatment that will work for every case.
You stand the best chance at finding a treatment that works for you if you educate yourself as much as possible on not only your own OCD symptoms but also on the common treatments of OCD.
Tips for Treating OCD
- Learn as much as you can about OCD. Specifically, you should learn everything you can about your own symptoms. OCD manifests itself in different forms with different people, so your OCD may feature intrusive thoughts about contamination or sickness, or you may experience compulsions to repeat actions to avoid perceived danger. Learning exactly what your obsessions and compulsions are can help you determine what treatment is best.
- Do not lose patience when trying different treatments. It can sometimes take months at a time to determine if a medication will work, or it may take weeks or more to get settled with a therapist that suits your needs. It is essential that you remain open to change and experimentation when it comes to new treatment options.
- Remember that medication alone can not “cure” your OCD. Medication can help relieve the symptoms, but therapy and lifestyle changes may be just as effective as antidepressants without bringing on the unpleasant side effects they sometimes bring.
- Build strong social support. Your OCD may make you feel hopeless or isolated, so it is important to remember that your loved ones may function as much-needed sources of relief. You may also want to seek out an OCD support group, where you can meet new people who are experiencing the same problems as you. They may be helpful in teaching you new coping methods, or just as a sounding board to vent to.
- Stay committed to finding treatment. Treatment for your OCD can go through ups and downs, and it may take months (depending on the treatment) before you start to get relief from the symptoms. It is vital to remember that for every case of OCD, there is at least one form of treatment that will help you.
What are the symptom subtypes of OCD?
- Contamination Obsession with Washing and Cleaning Compulsion: Characterized by intrusive thoughts about contamination and compulsions of excessive cleaning or washing.
- Harm Obsessions with Checking Compulsions: Characterized by obsessive thoughts about possible harm to yourself or others, and compulsions involving checking rituals to relieve your distress.
- Symmetry Obsessions with Ordering/Arranging/Counting Compulsions: Characterized by obsessive thoughts about symmetry and compulsions to make everything orderly until they are “just right”.
- Obsessions without Visible Compulsions: Characterized by intrusive thoughts about religious, sexual, or aggressive themes. Triggers related to these themes are typically avoided as much as possible.
- Hoarding: Characterized by obsessive fears of losing items or possessions that you may need one day.
Lifestyle Changes That Help OCD
Identify what triggers your OCD.
Figuring out what is triggering your OCD symptoms can help you anticipate your urges before they happen. If you know what triggers your urges, you can try to ease your compulsions.
Try to resist OCD compulsions
By persistently exposing yourself to the things that trigger your OCD, you can slowly learn to resist the compulsions and rituals. One common exercise is called the “fear ladder”, where you work up to your triggers one at a time (as if climbing a ladder, rung-by-rung).
Challenge your obsessions
When an intrusive or obsessive thought comes across, ask yourself questions. “Is there any evidence that this obsessive thought is true?”, or “Will this obsessive thought help protect me from what I am worried about?”.
Exercise
Research has shown that regular exercise (between 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day) can be just as effective as medication. Exercise boosts important “feel good” chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and endorphins, and also triggers the growth of new connections between brain cells. Even just half an hour of activity a day can start to improve your anxiety symptoms.
Nutrition
Even people without OCD should strive to eat well – it’s good for both physical and mental health. Aim to eat smaller, but well-balanced, meals throughout the day to keep your energy up throughout the day and avoid gastrointestinal problems.
Get more consistent sleep
If you are not getting enough sleep, you may find yourself irritable, grumpy, or fatigued. These mood changes can only worsen the symptoms of OCD.
Stress reduction
Stress may not directly cause OCD, but it can trigger symptoms or worsen the symptoms that are already there. Relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga may help you alleviate stress levels.
Find Out How Ketamine Treatment Can Help Your OCD
If you are suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other treatment methods have not helped, Ketamine can help. Unlike other treatment methods, Ketamine Infusions work fast, with many patients feeling better in just a few hours.
if you would like to learn more about our Ketamine Infusions for OCD Treatment, contact us today and schedule your FREE Ketamine Therapy Consultation
