Do you find yourself frequently washing your hands out of fear that you’ve touched something contaminated or infectious? Do you feel constantly fearful of getting sick, causing you to wash your hands repeatedly, sometimes scrubbing so hard that the skin becomes sore or raw? If so, you may be dealing with symptoms of OCD.
Symptoms of OCD in adults are hugely varied, ranging from mild to severe. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition that affects people of all sexes and ages, though it’s more commonly seen post-puberty. OCD afflicts almost 3% of the general population, and the average age of onset is 19.5 years.
Unlike other mental health conditions, the exact science behind OCD isn’t clear. However, many studies have shown that the OCD effects on the brain are significant.
OCD treatment techniques often involve medication alongside other alternative therapies like CBT, Hypnotherapy and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Hypnosis for OCD and intrusive thoughts has been successful in helping people lead a more positive and holistic life. With my two decades of experience, I can help you manage your symptoms through online bespoke hypnotherapy sessions. Contact me to schedule a session today.
What is OCD and Its Symptoms
People who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder have repetitive, unwarranted thoughts or sensations that make them do something repeatedly. Whilst people are aware that their obsessions aren’t based on logic, they can’t seem to take control of their actions.
Common obsessions or fears include the need to keep things organised, the fear of germs, dirt, or contamination, and the worry about hurting someone. An excessive amount of cleaning, frequent door checks, or repeated sayings or actions are examples of compulsions – behaviours used to counteract obsessive thoughts. Severe symptoms of OCD in adults can impact a person’s quality of life.
If you find yourself spending too much time thinking intrusive thoughts and exhibiting compulsive behaviours, it may be time to get help. Hypnosis for OCD and intrusive thoughts helps you to control your anxiety and strengthen your subconscious so that you can overcome excessive actions and regain control over your life.
How Does OCD Impact Brain Regions and Neurotransmitters?
What part of the brain does OCD affect?
Studies have shown that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder have structural and biochemical differences compared to those without OCD.
So, with that in mind, “does OCD damage the brain?”
To put it simply, OCD doesn’t harm the brain, but there are some changes noticed in key brain areas, especially those involved with habit formation, emotional regulation, and decision-making.
A 1980 study used a PET scan to study the blood flow and energy usage in the brain among 14 OCD patients and a “control” brain. Researchers found that some regions that showed distinct alterations were the orbitofrontal cortex and basal ganglia.
Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC)
The OFC is responsible for decision-making, understanding the consequences of actions, and detecting threats.
Research has shown that adults experiencing OCD symptoms have increased hyperactivity and altered connectivity between the OFC and basal ganglia. The hyperactivity often subsides under OCD treatment techniques.
Basal Ganglia
Several converging studies have shown that people with OCD experience functional disturbances in the OFC, ACC and the cortico-basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical loops.
Brain imaging has shown that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder have a smaller caudate nucleus and changes in the volume of other basal ganglia regions, like the putamen and globus pallidus.
This brain region is associated with habit formation and cognitive flexibility. The neurotransmitters in a person with OCD are also deregulated in the basal ganglia, so they have indirect pathways that contribute to cognitive inflexibility, irrational thoughts, and compulsive actions.
Thalamus
This part of the brain is involved with relaying sensory and motor information. People with OCD show more activity and altered actions.
As the basal ganglia becomes overactive, it stimulates the thalamus, which works in conjunction with the former region. An overactive thalamus helps sustain the behaviour loop as the signals get relayed without resolution.
Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)
The ACC is involved in error detection and emotional regulation. Compared to healthy individuals, people exhibiting symptoms of OCD in adults have shown increased hyperactivity, leading to a feeling that “things aren’t right”.
If you have OCD, the action-monitoring functionality of your ACC is dysregulated, making you hypersensitive to errors and leading to a tendency to repeat an action to right the perceived error.
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters like Glutamate, GABA, and Serotonin are also involved in causing symptoms of OCD in adults. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have higher levels of glutamate, which leads to hyperactivity of the OFC–ACC–thalamus circuits, resulting in anxiety and compulsions.
GABA, which helps to calm the brain and reduce hyperactivity, is found in low levels in people with OCD. Serotonin is responsible for controlling mood and is also found in low levels.
How Does Hypnosis Help With OCD
As an alternative therapy, hypnotherapy involves a hypnotherapist guiding you into a trance-like state that obstructs outside stimuli.
Through positive suggestions and visualisation techniques, the hypnotherapist will help to block intrusive thoughts and anxiety. This reduced sense of personal control makes clinical hypnotherapy one of the most successful OCD treatment techniques.
Research has shown a significant difference in a person’s perception and behaviour after a hypnotic session. However, it’s important to note that the success level isn’t the same for everyone and depends on how perceptive and open a patient is towards these suggestions.
Hypnosis for OCD and intrusive thoughts focuses on reframing your subconscious beliefs and building emotional resilience against your triggers, instead of associating them with anxiety. Hypnotic suggestions can instil new, positive thought patterns that help you develop effective coping mechanisms.
Contact Susannah for a Bespoke OCD Hypnosis Session
If you or someone you love suffers from symptoms of OCD, it’s important to seek help. I offer bespoke hypnosis for OCD and intrusive thoughts, where I’ll help you strengthen your subconscious mind, embrace positive thought patterns, and feel more in control of your life.
Mixing hypnotherapy with other OCD treatment techniques can help you achieve better results. My sessions are customised to your unique needs. I also offer sessions aimed at helping with addiction, smoking, and more.
Contact me today to schedule a session or click here to learn more about my treatments.
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