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Treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with Ketamine

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive compulsive disorder, commonly abbreviated to OCD, is a psychological disorder in which patients experience persistent, unwanted thoughts that can often be described as obsessions. These unwanted ideas and sensations lead to the patient feeling the need to do certain actions in order to feel a sense of relief. According to the American Psychiatric Foundation, these unwanted behaviors such as repeated hand washing, obsessively checking on things, obsessive cleaning, and many more can significantly interfere with one’s ability to live a happy and healthy life. 

While the most common symptom of OCD is repetitive behaviors or stressful thoughts, however most humans experience these stresses. However, when it becomes an obsession that has a negative impact on one’s quality of life, it borders into obsessive compulsive disorder. The American Psychiatric Foundation goes on to elaborate that in order for someone to be diagnosed with OCD, these repetitive behaviors and compulsions must consume more than one-hour of the individual’s day, must cause significant discomfort, and impairs one’s ability to function at work or in school. 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with and is suffering from OCD, contact an experienced Ketamine Therapy Clinic in Florida today!

Forms of OCD

Obsessive Thoughts

Obsessions are defined as ongoing and persistent thoughts and impulses which lead to mental distress and anxiety. According to WebMD, obsessive thoughts often include, but are not limited to:

 

-Worries of yourself getting hurt or injured

-Worries of others getting hurt or inured

-Hyper-awareness of bodily functions (blinking, swallowing, etc.)

-Paranoia

Compulsive Behaviors

Compulsive behaviors are behaviors in which a person feels the need to perform an action in response to an obsession. These compulsions often exhibit themselves as rituals and tasks individuals feel the need to complete but often interfere with their ability to live a healthy and productive life. According to WebMD, examples of compulsive behaviors include, but are not limited to:

 

-Doing tasks in a very specific order

-Repeating a tasks a number of times

-An urge to count things, such as steps

-Fear of germs, which can lead to a fear of public places, a fear of door knobs, a fear of shaking hands, etc

Symptoms of OCD

Individuals tend to experience OCD in different way. The most common symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder include, but are not limited to:

  • Obsessive checking of things such as locks, ovens, etc.

  • Obsessive thoughts of having a significant medical condition

  • Obsessive fear of germs and contamination

  • Obsessive need to have things organized a very, very specific way

  • Obsessive and disruptive thoughts

  • Obsessive checking of things such as locks, ovens, etc.

  • Obsessive thoughts of having a significant medical condition

  • Obsessive fear of germs and contamination

  • Obsessive need to have things organized a very, very specific way

  • Obsessive and disruptive thoughts

Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

There is no universal cause for OCD. Typically, OCD results as an individual’s response to stress and anxiety. Interestingly enough, WebMD states that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is more common in women than in men, with symptoms often first appearing during teenage years. While the exact cause is unknown, doctors have found that there are factors which may increase one’s likelihood of developing OCD, including:

-Having a close-family member who suffers from OCD
-Brain anatomy
-Depression
-Anxiety
-History of Trauma
-History of sexual abuse
-History of psychological abuse

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine, an FDA-approved drug for general anesthesia, has been shown in off-label trials to provide significant antidepressant benefits to patients utilizing Ketamine IV Therapy. This therapy uses doses lower than those used in anesthesia infused over 50 minutes to provide the potential for lasting improvement of depressive symptoms. If you believe Ketamine therapy may help you or a loved one, contact a Florida Ketamine doctor today!

How can Ketamine help Treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Unfortunately, there is no-known cure for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but many patients have found relief through the use of IV Ketamine therapy. In fact, many patients report much quicker relief from OCD through the use of Ketamine vs traditional methods such as talk-therapy and pharmaceuticals. In fact, in one study, patients reported relief from their obsessive thoughts in as little as ten minutes, with almost a complete end to these thoughts within thirty minutes from the end of treatment. Furthermore, the study found that patients experienced extended relief from their OCD for the full week following treatment. Other studies have shown relief to last longer than one-week. 

If you or a loved one suffers from OCD in Florida, contact New Horizon Ketamine Therapy Clinic today!

Side-Effects of Ketamine

According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, the following have been reported as side-effects associated with ketamine therapy. You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:

  • Feelings of joy
  • Feeling “detached” from your body
  • Hallucinations
  • Decreased sensitivity to pain
  • Nausea
  • Anxiety or panic
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Confusion
  • Feelings of joy
  • Feeling “detached” from your body
  • Hallucinations
  • Decreased sensitivity to pain
  • Nausea
  • Anxiety or panic
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Confusion

Find a Ketamine Therapy Clinic Near Me

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder in Florida and are interested in how ketamine may be able to help you, take our qualification survey and schedule an appointment today!

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