OCD Treatment in Delhi

Common Symptoms of OCD

Obsessions: These are intrusive thoughts, fears, or urges that may repeatedly enter your mind and cause significant distress. Common obsessions include fears of contamination, aggressive or taboo thoughts, the need for symmetry, or excessive doubt about safety (such as checking if the door is locked multiple times).

Compulsions: These are repetitive behaviours or mental acts you might perform in response to obsessions to relieve Anxiety. Examples include excessive hand washing, counting, arranging objects in a particular order, repeated checking, or silent mental rituals like repeating words or prayers. Although compulsions temporarily ease distress, they reinforce the cycle of OCD and make symptoms more persistent.

Causes and Risk Factors

Genetic predisposition: OCD often runs in families, suggesting a hereditary component. If a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, has OCD or an Anxiety Disorder, the likelihood of you developing the condition increases. This does not mean OCD is directly inherited, but genetic factors may make you more vulnerable to developing it, especially when combined with environmental triggers.

Brain structure and functioning: Research indicates that OCD is associated with differences in how certain areas of the brain function. Specifically:

Neural circuits involved: The disorder is linked to dysfunction in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit, which regulates habit formation, decision-making, and impulse control. When this circuit is overactive or misregulated, it can lead to persistent intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.

Serotonin regulation: Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences mood and anxiety levels, plays a crucial role in OCD. Many people with OCD have imbalances in serotonin activity, which is why Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)—medications that boost serotonin levels—are commonly prescribed for treatment.

Brain imaging findings: Functional MRI and PET scans have shown that people with OCD often have increased activity in brain regions like the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and basal ganglia, which are responsible for decision-making, emotional regulation, and habit formation. This overactivity may explain why individuals with OCD struggle to stop repetitive thoughts or behaviours.

Environmental factors and life events: Traumatic experiences, childhood stress, or infections (such as Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections—PANDAS) may contribute to the onset or worsening of OCD symptoms. Highly stressful situations or significant life changes can also trigger or intensify symptoms.

• Constant intrusive thoughts: If you experience persistent, unwanted thoughts, fears, or mental images that cause significant Anxiety, it may be a sign to seek professional help. These thoughts often centre around themes like contamination, harm, order, or morality and can interfere with daily life if left unaddressed.

• Compulsive behaviours: If you are engaging in repetitive behaviours (such as excessive hand washing, checking, counting, or arranging objects in a specific way) for extended periods in a way that is interfering with your daily life, it is a sign for you to seek help.
   
• Avoidance patterns: If you have OCD, it is possible you may start avoiding certain places, objects, or situations that trigger your obsessive thoughts. For example, someone with contamination fears might avoid public spaces, while a person with intrusive thoughts about harm might distance themselves from loved ones.

• Emotional distress and increased Anxiety: A growing sense of unease, guilt, or frustration when unable to perform compulsions or when intrusive thoughts become overwhelming is another warning sign for you.

• Disruptions in daily life: OCD can start interfering with your work, studies, relationships, and personal responsibilities. Everyday tasks may take you significantly longer due to compulsions, leading to frustration, exhaustion, or social withdrawal.

Recognising these warning signs and seeking professional support at an early stage can help you prevent symptoms from becoming deeply ingrained. Early intervention makes treatment more effective, reducing the risk of severe impairment and allowing you to regain control over your thoughts and behaviours.

Prevention of symptom progression: Without treatment, OCD tends to become more severe over time, but timely therapy and support can help prevent the worsening of symptoms.

Better coping strategies: Individuals who seek treatment early learn healthier ways to manage intrusive thoughts and compulsive urges, reducing their impact on daily life.

Medication Management

Medication can be an important part of OCD treatment, particularly for moderate to severe cases.

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): These include fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and sertraline, which help regulate serotonin levels in the brain and reduce OCD symptoms.
• Other medications: In some cases, doctors may prescribe antipsychotic medications or combine different drugs to enhance treatment effectiveness. Medication should always be taken under a psychiatrist’s supervision.

Neuromodulatory Therapies

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): It is a promising and non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain areas involved in OCD. While research is ongoing, TMS has shown positive results for individuals who do not respond well to traditional therapy and medication.
  
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): A surgical procedure used in severe OCD cases that involves implanting electrodes in the brain to regulate abnormal neural activity. This is typically reserved for cases resistant to other treatments.

Holistic Approaches

A comprehensive treatment approach often integrates lifestyle changes and alternative therapies to support recovery. These include:

• Mindfulness and meditation: Mindfulness practices can help you become more aware of your thoughts without reacting to them. This reduces the emotional impact of obsessions.
  
• Yoga and relaxation techniques: Engaging in activities like yoga and deep breathing exercises can help you lower stress levels and promote emotional balance, which is beneficial for managing OCD symptoms.
  
• Diet and lifestyle adjustments: Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep can support your overall mental health and complement therapy and medication.

Emotional support from loved ones: Having people who genuinely care about you can make a world of difference. Your loved ones can remind you that you’re not alone, help you stay committed to your treatment, and offer reassurance during tough moments.

Finding strength in community: Connecting with others who truly understand what you’re going through can be incredibly comforting. Joining an OCD support group can give you a sense of belonging, reduce feelings of isolation, and provide encouragement from people who have walked a similar path.

Support Groups and Workshops in Delhi

Finding a community that understands what you are going through can be incredibly reassuring. Several mental health organisations offer support groups, therapy workshops, and psychoeducation sessions for people with OCD and their families, as a part of OCD treatment in Delhi. These spaces can:

• Give you a safe space to share: Support groups help you have a judgement-free environment where you can openly talk about your experiences, challenges, and victories with people who truly understand.
  
• Offer professional guidance: Experts who lead these sessions provide helpful insights on managing OCD symptoms, coping techniques, and practical strategies to support your healing.
  
• Create a sense of belonging: Being part of a support group gives you a sense of feeling that you are not alone in this journey. This can make a big difference. Connecting with others who are facing similar struggles can inspire hope, motivation, and strength as you work toward recovery.

Consultation at BetterPlace costs INR 2,000 and includes an initial 90-minute comprehensive session. During this session, you’ll meet both our in-house psychiatrists and clinical psychologists. They ensure that you receive a well-rounded and clinically sound treatment that not only targets your symptoms but also treats the root cause itself. This collaborative approach helps us build a personalised treatment plan for you—whether that involves therapy, medication, or a combination of both.