New Non-Invasive Treatment for OCD?

Obsessively washing your hands in fear of germs; repeatedly checking if the door is locked when leaving your house; feeling compelled to perform a task a certain number of times and engaging in repetitive, mindless behavior to calm your mind are what individuals diagnosed with OCD experience on a daily basis. People with obsessive compulsive disorder are plagued with stress-inducing and intrusive thoughts that affect both their work and social life. Fortunately, there are several forms of procedures that can be used to treat individuals diagnosed with OCD.

There are various forms of therapies that exist, one of which include the intensive residential programs, offered by Sunnybrook. However, because of the nature of this illness, individuals may not be capable of fully completing these therapies and programs. In more severe cases, surgical treatments are performed such as Radiofrequency Capsulotomy and Deep Brain Stimulation, but both of which unfortunately have complications such as brain damage, hemorrhage and infections.

Currently, researchers at Sunnybrook hospital are investigating two new, promising forms of treatment that are non-invasive. Focused ultrasound psychosurgery involves using high-intensity ultrasound waves to target damaged areas of the brain and the Gamma Knife Icon procedure uses radiation to target specific cells in the brain.

For the first time in Canada, Gamma Knife Icon was performed on a patient with severe OCD. The procedure has been said to have went well, but it’s effectiveness is still unknown as it takes several months for the radiation to take effect.

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Source:

• Radovini, N. (2018, February 08). A new option for Canadians with severe OCD. Retrieved March 01, 2018, from http://health.sunnybrook.ca/mental-health/a-new-option-for-canadians-with-severe-ocd/