Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an all-consuming and often debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of people. It can easily take over a person’s everyday life and make even the simplest tasks feel like an uphill battle. There are many ways to treat this condition, including psychotherapy or medication, but can OCD be cured?
Keep reading to learn more about OCD, whether or not it’s curable, and the treatment options that are available.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a psychiatric disorder that manifests through a cycle of unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Rather than just being a perfectionist or liking things a certain way, those with OCD often feel consumed by their disorder as their obsessions and compulsions can take up significant time in their day-to-day lives.
Obsessions involve intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that pop up again and again, causing severe anxiety. These aren’t usual everyday concerns but are exaggerated fears or unlikely scenarios that the person feels they can’t control.
Compulsions are the actions taken in an attempt to ease the stress that’s brought on by obsessions. For someone with OCD, these rituals aren’t choices, but they feel necessary to prevent something bad from happening. This is true even if part of them knows these fears are irrational.
Common obsessions and compulsions that people with OCD might experience include:
The exact causes of OCD are not fully known, but experts believe it can develop due to a combination of genetic, neurological, behavioral, and environmental factors. For example, researchers found that OCD is heritable by 48%, meaning nearly half the risk of developing OCD could be linked to family history.
Additionally, it’s been discovered that the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loop, a neural circuit that is involved in regulating behavior, shows excessive activity in those with OCD. This imbalance can lead to repetitive thoughts and compulsions.
The Learning Theory also provides some insight into how OCD symptoms may develop. According to this theory, OCD symptoms may emerge from learned negative thoughts and behavior patterns, similar to classical conditioning. In other words, neutral stimuli or experiences become linked with anxiety or fear, which triggers anxiety responses. These behaviors are negatively reinforced because they provide temporary relief; however, this makes them more likely to be repeated, thereby maintaining the OCD cycle.
OCD does not currently have a cure, and has a lifetime prevalence among adults in the United States of 2.3%. To put it into perspective, this means that 7 million Americans have OCD for the duration of their lives.
However, it can be effectively treated and managed through various interventions. While complete eradication of symptoms may not always be possible, many people see symptom improvement through treatment.
According to research, it’s quite rare for OCD symptoms to go away entirely on their own without any form of treatment. In fact, a study found a remission rate of only 4% among untreated OCD cases.
In general, OCD symptoms can fluctuate over time. During periods of low stress, symptoms may seem to recede, giving the impression that they’ve gone away. On the other hand, during stressful times, symptoms can re-emerge and possibly worsen. This ebb and flow is common, making it important to stay on top of your symptoms through different treatment strategies.
While there is no cure for OCD, there are several treatment options available to help keep your symptoms in check. A doctor or mental health practitioner will carefully assess your condition and create a treatment plan that works for you, whether that includes psychotherapy, medication, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), lifestyle changes, or a combination of any of those.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a go-to treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder that encourages patients to directly confront the fears that drive their disorder. In ERP, exposure involves deliberately putting a patient in situations that provoke their anxieties in a controlled environment. For example, a patient might be asked to handle money or use public transportation, both of which are common triggers for those with contamination fears.
The second piece, response prevention, prohibits the patient from doing their usual compulsive behaviors in reaction to the anxiety induced by the exposure. This could mean resisting the urge to wash their hands after handling money or avoiding immediate showering after taking public transport.
Research supports ERP as an effective treatment strategy, showing it to be more successful than other therapies or placebos in alleviating OCD symptoms. By consistently practicing ERP, patients can gradually improve their anxious responses to triggers.
Medication is another standard treatment for OCD, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are a first-line treatment that increases serotonin levels in the brain, which is thought to help reduce the severity of OCD symptoms. Common SSRIs that may be prescribed for OCD include:
However, SSRIs are not effective for all patients. Recent studies suggest that only about 50% of individuals with OCD respond to SSRIs. For those who don’t find relief with these medications, second-line treatments may be considered. These might include clomipramine, an older type of antidepressant known as a tricyclic, or venlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
In cases where a single medication does not provide relief, your doctor may recommend add-on treatments. They may supplement the primary medication with other antidepressants like citalopram or add an antipsychotic to an SSRI, which has been found to be effective in one-third of patients.
Other medications that are being researched and considered for treatment-resistant OCD include:
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating OCD, transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive treatment that influences brain activity using magnetic fields. During a TMS session, a device with a magnetic coil inside is placed against the patient’s head, commonly in the prefrontal cortex region, which is responsible for mood regulation and anxiety control. This device then briefly generates a high-current pulse through the coil, creating a strong magnetic field in the specific brain area responsible for symptoms.
Patients stay awake and unsedated throughout the treatment; however, they may experience mild discomfort at the stimulation site. Because TMS is non-intrusive, patients are able to return to their normal everyday activities immediately following each session.
TMS has been shown to be effective in reducing the severity of OCD symptoms, especially in patients who have not responded well to other treatments or have comorbid conditions like depression. Those who undergo repetitive TMS, or rTMS, are actually three times more likely to report a positive treatment response compared to those receiving placebo treatments.
Many people with mental health conditions, including OCD, have demonstrated poor health habits. In fact, experts suggest there may be a link between lifestyle choices and the severity of OCD symptoms. They found those with less active lifestyles, poor dietary habits, and non-restorative sleep patterns often experience greater symptom severity.
Here are some changes that may help alleviate OCD symptoms:
More than half of those who show signs of OCD start experiencing these symptoms in childhood, making early intervention critical. Here’s how catching OCD symptoms early can help:
To put it simply, the sooner OCD is addressed, the easier it will be to manage. This not only helps individuals cope better but also improves their overall mental well-being as they grow.
OCD may not be curable, but there’s still hope. Our compassionate team at Cura Behavioral Health understands that everyone’s experience with OCD is different, and so should be their treatment plan. Whether it’s through a combination of TMS and medication or therapy alone, we’re here to find a plan that works best for you.
Don’t let OCD take over your life any longer. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you thrive on your journey to mental wellness.
Determining if TMS therapy suits your mental health journey should involve consultation with a qualified professional. At Cura Behavioral Health, we provide comprehensive assessments to help you make informed treatment decisions.
Don’t let a mental health condition hold you back any longer. Schedule a consultation with Cura Behavioral Health today. Our experienced team is ready to answer your questions and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
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Dr. Kevin Simonson, an esteemed Medical Director at Cura Behavioral Health, brings over 15 years of experience in psychiatry. A graduate from a top medical school, he specializes in the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety, employing a patient-centered approach. His dedication to evidence-based care and his commitment to advancing mental health practices have made him a respected figure in the field. Dr. Simonson’s leadership ensures the highest standard of care for the community at Cura Behavioral Health.
