What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is an anxiety disorder in which individuals experience recurring or obsessive thoughts that drive them to do somethings repeatedly. It is common for individuals with OCD to have focused thoughts or repeated behaviors. There are certain causes of OCD that are still not fully understood even today. Below is the list of theories that are associated with OCD causes: 

1. Genetics: this is one of the theories behind OCD since there may be a genetic component but specific genes have not been identified

2. Biology: this is where OCD is a result due to the changes in an individual's body's natural chemistry or functional abnormalities in the brain 

3. Learned Behaviors: compulsions can stem from watching family members overtime leading these behaviors to become repetitive and habitual in order to relieve anxiety 

Although there is no definite way to prevent OCD, there are numerous treatment options which can include: 

- medication

- support groups/education

- techniques aiding in anxiety management 

- psychological treatments 

Another type of treatment for OCD is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, also known as TMS for short. TMS has been proven to be an effective treatment that is FDA-approved for depression and has brought relief to over 65,000 people. Aside from treating depression, it is known to be helpful for treating individuals with OCD. 

It is important to be well-knowledged regarding the symptoms and risks of OCD since the compulsions and obsessions can interfere with family and social relationships. Not only that, but OCD is also known to produce a negative effect for individuals' education and employment. Therefore, getting effective treatment will help individuals experiencing symptoms or already having OCD achieve substantial relief and regain control over their daily lives. 

If there are any questions or concerns about TMS treatment, or you would like to speak to a specialist, give our office a call at (714)867-7037 for more information.