1506 Providence Highway, Suite 27 Norwood MA 02062
TMS for OCD 
TMS Other Conditions
What is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health problem when a person is bound to repeat or perform a task in a repetitive manner. They have unwanted thoughts that they have no control of. Having unwanted thoughts or performing tasks in a repetitive manner need not be termed as OCD always. It becomes a clinical condition only when your thoughts and repetitive actions affect your daily life.
Is OCD common?
OCD affects around 1-3 percent of the population. If you take 1% of the population, it is around 2.2 million people who are affected by OCD which makes OCD a common mental disorder. OCD has no gender preference and is common in men and women alike.
How do you know if it is OCD?
A person is diagnosed with OCD when he/she shows symptoms of obsession, compulsions, or both:
- Unwanted thoughts that a person cannot stop thinking about. This might cause anxiety and stress in some cases
- Repetitive behaviors like hand washing, cleaning, ordering things in a particular way
- Tasks performed as a part of compulsion takes time, sometimes more than 1 hour every day
- Some people might show symptoms of OCD if they have PTSD or anxiety disorder. It is best to discuss your symptoms with a doctor to rule out this condition.
Reasons for OCD?
Though the exact reason for OCD is not confirmed, OCD can occur due to genetic changes and hereditary in some cases. Imbalance in some neurotransmitters in the brain may also be associate with OCD.
Is OCD a lifelong condition
Once diagnosed with OCD, it is a lifelong condition. Proper treatment and regular follow-ups with your doctor can help you manage the symptoms of OCD.
Treatment options for OCD
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is usually recommended as the first line of treating OCD.
ERP (Exposure Response Prevention) is a part of CBT where the patient is exposed to his fears and guidance is provided to help the patient tackle his fears and anxiety. Many patients might not be comfortable with the concept of ERP and may choose to opt-out of this.
Antidepressants might be recommended by your doctor to manage the symptoms of OCD.
Antidepressants have also proven to be effective to manage the symptoms of OCD.
How can TMS help people with OCD?
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) therapy is a safe, non-invasive method used to stimulate certain parts of the brain to reduce the symptoms of several mental health disorders like OCD. TMS is opted by patients who find other treatments less effective. TMS is generally safe, non-invasive, and has minimal side effects. Contact us to know more about TMS and if it is the right treatment for you.
