What is OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an Anxiety Disorder which has as its main characteristics obsessive thoughts and ideas, which are sometimes accompanied by compulsive behaviours and actions, often designed to ward off the obsessive thoughts. There are currently no medical tests which can diagnose OCD. Diagnosis is usually based on information about symptoms as well as clinical observation. Diagnosis of OCD can be made by Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, medical Doctors, Pediatricians or by a multi-disciplinary team .

In order to make a formal diagnosis of OCD, the following symptoms must be present (DSM lV-R)                                   

Obsessions  

• Recurring and persistent ideas, thoughts or images that are often experienced as senseless, intrusive and difficult to control;   

• Attempts to ignore or suppress these thoughts or to neutralize them with another thought or action;

• The person realises that these thoughts, images or ideas are the product of his or her own mind, yet finds them almost impossible to resist.

Compulsions  

While the above symptoms are necessary to make a formal diagnosis of OCD, they can be present in a less severe form. In this case, the person would not be diagnosed as suffering from a psychiatric disorder, but is rather said to have obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviours. This sometimes happens with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. Most people experience some obsessive thoughts and behaviours at some time in their lives, especially under stress. In small children it is very common and quite normal (e.g. don't step on the cracks or the bears will get you!) to have some compulsive behaviours. In both adults and children, it is only when the above criteria are fulfilled and there is a great deal of anxiety and distress associated with the thoughts and behaviours that a formal diagnosis can be made. Order

What causes OCD?

There are various theories or explanations for OCD. Psychoanalytical and psychodynamic theorists often see the obsessive thoughts and compulsions as a defense against anxiety or repressed subconscious impulses.  Other theorists believe that the symptoms of OCD are learned through various mechanisms during childhood or adulthood.

There is also strong evidence that some people have an inherited tendency to develop OCD and that OCD is linked to problems in brain chemistry, neurotransmission or receptor functioning. Research suggests, for example, that people with OCD frequently have abnormalities or deficiencies in serotonin levels and that their symptoms improve when this serotonin imbalance is addressed with medication. 

Treatment Options

Are Psychiatric drugs the only alternative for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)?

Many psychiatrists feel that the only effective treatment for OCD involves medication with psychiatric drugs like clomipramine, Prozac or other SSRI's (drugs which prevent the uptake of serotonin). While psychiatric drug therapy can often relieve the symptoms of OCD, there are associated risks of side effects as well as an effect on overall health. This often results in the individual having to take a variety of different prescription drugs, which is both expensive and not ideal from a health point of view.

it is important to realise that treatment with psychiatric drugs is not the only answer.  Counseling and psychotherapy, especially cognitive therapy, has been shown to be very beneficial and can make a marked improvement in the symptom picture of people with OCD. The earlier that counseling or therapy is begun, the less chance symptoms have of becoming entrenched, although therapy can be beneficial at any stage.  Therapy should be carried out by a Licensed Counselor or Clinical Psychologist who is experienced in the the field of OCD. Order

Natural Remedies Can Help

There are also natural alternatives to the psychiatric drugs which will help to balance serotonin levels and therefore reduce or eliminate the symptoms of OCD.

Michele Carelse, our Clinical Psychologist, has had many years of experience treating people with depression. Together with experts in the field of natural medicine, she has developed three natural remedies which together can help to relieve the symptoms and underlying causes of OCD:

• MindSoothe - a combination of St John's Wort and Passiflora - two highly effective herbs in therapeutic medicinal dosage. This is the principal remedy and needs to be taken every day. Improvement is usually noted within 3 - 6 weeks.

• PureCalm (BeCalm) - a concentrated herbal tincture which works in the short term to calm and soothe anxiety and panic attacks. PureCalm is very useful during the first few weeks of treatment and will be needed less and less as Mindsoothe begins to take effect.

• Triple Complex Nerve Tonic - a combination of specially selected biochemic tissue salts which act as a nervous system tonic and help to improve the bio-availability of hormones and neuro-transmitters involved in nervous system health. Order

What is Mindsoothe?

MindSoothe is a specially formulated herbal remedy that has been successfully used in the treatment of Depression, OCD, Insomnia, Panic Disorder, and Anxiety. MindSoothe contains two potent remedies in one treatment and offers  long term relief when used regularly as part of a treatment and management program.

MindSoothe can help with any of the following symptoms: