Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.

Signs and Symptoms:

People with OCD may have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. These symptoms can interfere with all aspects of life, such as work, school, and personal relationships.

Obsessions are repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety. Common symptoms include:

• Fear of germs or contamination
• Unwanted forbidden or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm
• Aggressive thoughts towards others or self
• Having things symmetrical or in a perfect order

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person with OCD feels the urge to do in response to an obsessive thought. Common compulsions include:

• Excessive cleaning and/or handwashing
• Ordering and arranging things in a particular, precise way
• Repeatedly checking on things, such as repeatedly checking to see if the door is locked or that the oven is off
• Compulsive counting

Not all rituals or habits are compulsions. Everyone double checks things sometimes. But a person with OCD generally:

• Can't control his or her thoughts or behaviors, even when those thoughts or behaviors are recognized as excessive
• Spends at least 1 hour a day on these thoughts or behaviors
• Doesn’t get pleasure when performing the behaviors or rituals, but may feel brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause
• Experiences significant problems in their daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors

Some individuals with OCD also have a tic disorder. Motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements, such as eye blinking and other eye movements, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking. Common vocal tics include repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing, or grunting sound.

Symptoms may come and go, ease over time, or worsen. People with OCD may try to help themselves by avoiding situations that trigger their obsessions, or they may use alcohol or drugs to calm themselves. Although most adults with OCD recognize that what they are doing doesn’t make sense, some adults and most children may not realize that their behavior is out of the ordinary. Parents or teachers typically recognize OCD symptoms in children.

Ketamine therapy has been shown to help as many as 70-80% or more in some studies. We specialize in adding Ketamine infusions to help increase your feeling of well being and reduce the terrible pain, depression or anxiety you've been experiencing. Giving you hope to live a happier and more productive, fulfilled life.

If you think you have OCD, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. If left untreated, OCD can interfere in all aspects of life.

What should I expect from ketamine IV Infusion therapy?

Dr Pellegrino and his team carry out an in depth consultation and review of your referral form to be certain ketamine infusion therapy is right for you.

The Doctor then tailors a treatment plan specifically for you based on your diagnosis and individual needs.

Based on the severity of your condition and other medications you are taking, we may suggest one to six sessions of either high- or low-dose of the ketamine IV infusions.

Based on the plan the Doctor organizes for you, you’ll either relax for one hour or four hours per session while having the IV, and spend 20 minutes to two hours recovering after the infusions are completed.

We work very hard to ensure you experience no more than minimal discomfort and side effects through the use of added medications and nutrients and follow best practice standards. Again, each therapy is unique to you as an individual person.

If you want to learn more about ketamine IV infusion therapy and how it will reduce the symptoms of your chronic pain, call or book an appointment online.