TMS for OCD: An Effective Treatment Option to Relieve Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of OCD?

For people with OCD, obsessions and compulsions are part of their daily lives and consistently consume a great deal of their time and energy. OCD isn't just a personality quirk; it's more than wanting your pencils arranged just so or habitually locking and unlocking the front door. The obsessions and compulsions of those who suffer from OCD can be extreme, and can get in the way of everything in your life, including work, school, social activities, and relationships.

One familiar example of OCD is an obsession with contamination. Unfounded fears of germs or disease might trigger overpowering feelings of fear, disgust, or doubt. Those with OCD may try to ensure they are germ-free by compulsively washing their hands until they bleed. Or, cleaning their house repeatedly. Other common obsessions include the fear of losing control, not getting things perfect, or causing harm by failing to do something. As a result, individuals with OCD may repeat behaviors again and again to try to maintain a feeling of control. They may compulsively organize things in particular, precise ways to create a sense of orderliness. Or they may hoard items they think might come in handy in emergencies. They may constantly check if they turned off the stove or if their children are still in bed. Other well-documented obsessions include having unwanted sexual or violent thoughts, or feeling guilty of moral failure.

We don't know exactly what is the cause of OCD, but we do know that certain medications are often a big help. About 40 to 60 percent of patients with OCD experience relief from their symptoms when using these medications. If they do help, the medications typically take many weeks before they start alleviating symptoms. They are known to cause side effects in some people as well. Among these are insomnia, weight gain, headaches, sedation, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, and gastrointestinal problems as such nausea and diarrhea. Another treatment for OCD is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy called exposure and response prevention (ERP). ERP involves systematically exposing a patient to whatever triggers their obsessions and compulsions under the guidance of a trained therapist or psychologist, teaching the patient incrementally how to mitigate their anxieties and to better tolerate the exposure.

What Is TMS for OCD?