Ketamine for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects millions of people. OCD is characterized by recurring, unwanted obsessive thoughts that are so persistent and strong that it drives people to engage in repetitive compulsive behavior in an attempt to control or reduce the anxious and negative emotional states created by the obsessive thoughts. Common behaviors include compulsions such as repetitive hand washing, repeated checking behavior (checking to see if doors or locked, the stove is turned off, or the order of things such as books on a shelf, etc.), or severe germaphobia that drives similar behaviors aimed at excessive cleanliness. OCD severely impacts one’s ability to live a normal life, as their compulsions are often incredibly time-consuming and interfere with the normal routines of life. In addition, most people suffering from OCD fully realize that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, but they feel powerless to stop the cycle of obsessions and powerful compulsions that accompany them.

Conventional treatments such as antidepressant therapy and psychotherapy can be effective, but success rates vary greatly and many treatments fail to counteract the strong compulsive nature of OCD. Antidepressant treatment also has the potential for unwanted, longer term side effects, whereas Ketamine does not.

Many studies have shown that Ketamine largely reduces the symptoms of OCD and many report benefits within minutes of receiving Ketamine treatment that can last several weeks and potentially even longer with a full course of treatment. While the research on Ketamine as a treatment for OCD is still in the relatively early stages, the risks of Ketamine treatment are minimal and the benefit is often immediate, so patients do not have to wait for weeks on end for improvement as is often the case with more conventional treatments such as antidepressant medication.

If you are suffering from the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, please allow us to assist with a referral to a trusted Ketamine provider near you so you can determine if Ketamine treatment is right for you.