OCD

What is OCD?

OCD is a disorder in which two problems combine to become debilitating. These are:

Obsessions

Obsessions are unwelcome thoughts, urges, or mental images that you can’t seem to escape. These obsessions can cause significant anxiety and stress and may become very intrusive in your day-to-day life. 

Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors. People with OCD feel driven to act out these behaviors as a way to neutralize obsessions or to ward off disasters. 

Compulsions aren’t fun; they’re frustrating. A few examples include checking to make sure you turned off the stove multiple times, washing hands repeatedly, or counting objects frequently. 

OCD is a serious disorder. It’s very different from simply liking things to be orderly and neat because OCD can take up a lot of time and make it difficult  to function. 

How is OCD treated?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressants are the most common treatment approaches for OCD, but they may not work for many people. Antidepressants take weeks or even months to show their full effects for OCD symptoms. Trying multiple antidepressants can take many months, and leave you struggling with intrusive obsessions and compulsions the entire time. 

At Ketamine Health & Wellness Clinics of Ohio, our team offers both psychiatric medication management and ketamine infusions, a groundbreaking intravenous (IV) treatment. 

Ketamine is a medication that increases the activity of a brain chemical called glutamate. This neurotransmitter is heavily involved in mood and anxiety levels, so increasing its levels rapidly can provide very fast relief. 

Essentially, intravenous infusions of ketamine can help stop obsessions and compulsions within just hours. In fact, in one study, many patients experienced relief halfway through their infusions. 

The effects of a ketamine infusion can last for days or even weeks. 

What is ketamine treatment for OCD like? 

During treatment, you’ll relax in a private area in the clinic. The team creates a tiny puncture in an arm vein, and ketamine is slowly released into your vein through a thin tube. 

You’ll be constantly monitored by the team during the treatment to make sure you’re safe and comfortable. Ketamine often brings on a dream-like state or changes in perception. These effects are temporary and usually go away right after the 40-minute infusion. 

Ketamine can give you near-immediate, long-lasting OCD symptom relief, so don’t wait to take control of your life. Call Ketamine Health & Wellness Clinics of Ohio or book your appointment online now.