How do we compare to other therapies?
Obsessive Compulsive Order (OCD) can be a debilitating mental illness. OCD is characterised by obsessive, intrusive thoughts accompanied by the need to complete compulsive, ritualistic behaviours to (often only momentarily) deescalate feelings of stress and fear. According to the therapy provider TreatmyOCD, patients describe the experience of OCD as feeling like a prisoner to thoughts and compulsions, being unable to differentiate between OCD and ‘the truth’, and constantly ruminating and looking for answers that never come.
SSRIs for OCD
Thankfully, there are a wealth of treatment options available for people with OCD. Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the primary pharmacotherapy option available; they function by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. SSRIs can decrease anxiety, thus making obsessions more tolerable, and lessening the need to complete compulsive behaviours. However, patients need to take SSRIs for a minimum of 12 weeks before seeing any changes, and most people need treatment for a minimum of one year. According to the Clinical practice guidelines for OCD, SSRIs have a remission rate of 10-40%.
CBT for OCD
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a highly successful talk therapy option available for people who suffer with obsessions and compulsions, boasting a success rate or 75% efficacy in reducing symptoms (according to OCDUK.org). CBT helps patients to understand that thoughts create feelings, feelings create behaviours, and behaviours create thoughts; this is a continuous cycle that can become damaging once thoughts turn negative. Through CBT, a trained therapist will equip the patient with tools to better deconstruct and understand their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, thus enabling those who suffer from OCD to step back from unhelpful mental intrusions.
While CBT can be extremely effective, like all therapies, it is not right for everyone. Unfortunately, people with treatment resistant OCD can spend years trying various interventions with no success. While this can be extremely discouraging, it is important to remember that just because you have not yet found your solution does not mean that it does not exist.
TMS for OCD
While Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is still quite niche, it is an evidence based, FDA approved, safe treatment for OCD. At Smart TMS, the ‘first line’ treatment protocol works by delivering magnetic pulses to the areas of the brain responsible for excessive rumination and anxiety. These pulses trigger an inhibitory response when delivered repeatedly, meaning that over time, the overactive synapses in the brain begin to relax, thus enabling ruminative thoughts to subside. Of course, transient anxiety is something that happens to everyone; it only becomes a problem if the individual in question becomes consumed with the obsessions and compulsions relating to ‘managing’ this anxiety. Thus, the point of TMS is not to erase any negative thoughts or feelings, but to enable the brain to acknowledge these thoughts, and then let them pass.
If this initial treatment does not appear effective after 5 sessions, the TMS practitioner will target a different brain area in an effort to identify the specific region responsible for each individual’s unique difficulty. OCD manifests differently in everyone, and so we offer alternative, evidence-based treatments in order to give each patient their best chance at remission. At Smart TMS, remission rates for OCD currently stand at 44% while an additional 35% of patients show a decrease in symptoms of at least 30%.
If you are struggling with OCD and have found other therapeutic interventions ineffective, then perhaps you have come to the right place. Why not read a patient testimonial for TMS treatment for OCD before deciding whether TMS could be right for you.
[Content kindly written by Lindy, our Edinburgh Practitioner]
SMART TMS CLINICS
Smart TMS was established in 2015, providing TMS treatment at their original South Kensington centre in London. The company now has the UK’s biggest network of TMS treatment centres, spanning across England, Scotland and Ireland. Smart TMS is committed to further expansion in order to make the treatment available in more cities, reaching patients who need an alternative treatment option for their conditions.
CONTACT US
For any other queries or for patients wishing to book an appointment at one of our UK clinics, please contact us:
- Tel: 0345 222 5678
- Email: info@smarttms.co.uk