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OCD Overview
OCD in New Zealand and Beyond
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterised by unwanted, intrusive thoughts or obsessions and repetitive behaviours or compulsions. OCD can cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. In New Zealand, as in many other countries, OCD is a prevalent disorder that affects a significant number of individuals.
According to the New Zealand Mental Health Survey conducted in 2006, the lifetime prevalence of OCD in New Zealand was 2.7%, meaning that approximately 112,000 people in the country have or will experience OCD in their lifetime. OCD can affect people of all ages and genders, and the disorder is typically chronic without appropriate treatment.
In New Zealand, like in many countries around the world, there is a lack of understanding and awareness of OCD, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. This can result in significant impairment in quality of life, academic and occupational performance, and social relationships. Therefore, it is essential that individuals with OCD and their families have access to accurate information, effective treatment options, and supportive resources.
Globally, OCD is a prevalent disorder, affecting approximately 1-2% of the population. OCD is more common in developed countries than in developing countries, with higher rates reported in North America and Europe. The disorder affects people of all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds.
The impact of OCD can be significant and far-reaching. People with OCD may experience impairments in their ability to work or attend school, engage in social activities, and maintain healthy relationships. They may also experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions as a result of their OCD symptoms.
Fortunately, effective treatments for OCD are available, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). With appropriate treatment, many individuals with OCD can experience significant improvement in their symptoms and overall quality of life.
OCD Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex and challenging mental health disorder that can cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. It is characterised by persistent and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) that cause intense anxiety, fear, or distress. Individuals with OCD typically engage in repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) in an attempt to reduce their anxiety and prevent or neutralise their obsessions.
OCD can impact people of all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds, and can range from mild to severe. It is a chronic condition, and without appropriate treatment, symptoms can worsen over time and significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.
The specific obsessions and compulsions experienced by individuals with OCD can vary widely. For example, someone with contamination OCD may engage in excessive hand-washing, avoid touching certain objects, or wear gloves to reduce their fear of germs. In contrast, someone with checking OCD may repeatedly check to make sure they have turned off appliances, locked doors, or turned off lights to reduce their anxiety about potential harm caused by their actions.
OCD can be a highly distressing and isolating experience. Individuals with OCD may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their symptoms and may avoid seeking help due to fear of judgement or stigma. However, effective treatments are available, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and medication. These treatments can help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
There are several types of OCD disorders, including:
Checking OCD
Individuals with checking OCD have a persistent fear that they have left something undone or forgotten something important, which leads to repeated checking behaviours, such as checking locks, appliances, or switches.
Contamination OCD
This type of OCD involves excessive fear and anxiety related to germs, contamination, or infection. Individuals with contamination OCD often engage in excessive hand-washing or cleaning rituals in an attempt to reduce their anxiety.
Harm OCD
Individuals with harm OCD have intrusive thoughts or fears of harming themselves or others. They may engage in compulsive behaviours, such as avoiding certain objects or situations, in an attempt to reduce their anxiety.
Symmetry and Ordering OCD
This type of OCD involves a need for order, symmetry, or exactness in one’s environment. Individuals with this type of OCD may engage in repetitive rituals, such as arranging objects in a particular order, to reduce anxiety.
Pure-O OCD
This is a form of OCD that is characterised by intrusive thoughts or obsessions, without any accompanying compulsive behaviours or rituals. Individuals with Pure-O OCD may experience distressing and often disturbing thoughts that are difficult to control, which can cause significant anxiety and distress.
OCD Symptoms
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that is characterised by intrusive, unwanted, and often disturbing thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) that are performed in response to these obsessions.
Individuals with OCD may feel as though they cannot control their thoughts or behaviours, and these symptoms can cause significant anxiety, distress, and impairment in daily functioning. In some cases, individuals may experience only obsessions or only compulsions, while in other cases, they may experience a mixture of both. It’s important to note that the symptoms of OCD can wax and wane over time and may be influenced by various factors, such as stress, anxiety, and life events.
The symptoms of OCD can vary widely from person to person, but some common symptoms include:
- Fears of saying something obscene or offensive
- A need to have your possessions orderly, aligned, or symmetrical
- Worries about dirt, germs, or illness
- Fears of harming someone else or yourself
- Explicit violent or sexual thoughts
- Concerns about throwing things away
- Questioning your sexual orientation or desires
- Worries about the health and safety of a loved one or yourself
- Intrusive words, images, or sounds
- Organising or aligning objects in a specific way
- Counting or repeating specific phrases
- Touching something a particular number of times
- Seeking reassurance from others
- Hiding objects you could use to harm yourself or someone else
- Washing your body, object or hands
- Buying several of the same items or collecting particular objects
- Mentally going over your actions to make sure you haven’t harmed anyone else
OCD Diagnosis
Diagnosing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be a complex and challenging process, as the symptoms of OCD can vary widely from person to person and can be difficult to distinguish from other mental health conditions. However, an accurate diagnosis is essential for the effective treatment and management of symptoms.
The diagnosis of OCD typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, who specialises in the assessment and treatment of OCD. The evaluation may include a clinical interview, self-report questionnaires, and observations of the individual’s behaviour and symptoms.
To be diagnosed with OCD, an individual must meet specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 criteria for OCD include the presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both, which are time-consuming, cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning and are not attributable to another medical or mental health condition.
During the evaluation, the mental health professional will also consider other factors that may contribute to the individual’s symptoms, such as a history of trauma or other mental health conditions, and will assess for any co-occurring conditions that may require additional treatment.
In some cases, the diagnosis of OCD may be complicated by the presence of other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mental health professional will work to identify the specific symptoms and develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of the individual’s mental health needs.
Severn Clinics Supports Successful Holistic Care Of
Severn Clinics Supports Successful Holistic Care Of
FIBROMYALGIA
CHRONIC PAIN
DEPRESSION
ANXIETY
STRESS
OCD
PTSD
TRAUMA
INSOMNIA
ADD & ADHD
CHRONIC FATIGUE
MOOD DISORDERS
The Limbic System - A Deeper Understanding?
The limbic system is a vital aspect of understanding the context of OCD recovery. The limbic system serves as the hub for the fight, flight and freeze response, carrying out a number of crucial mental and physical functions. Understanding the connection between the limbic system and OCD is also essential in comprehending the symptoms and effective treatments for this condition.
The limbic system encompasses multiple brain structures, including the hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus, cingulate gyrus, septum, fornix, olfactory bulb, and thalamus, working together to regulate emotions, motivation, memory, and sensory processing. It plays a critical role in regulating our thoughts, feelings, and behaviour and is closely linked to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
The limbic system, particularly the basal ganglia and the amygdala, is known to play a role in the development and maintenance of OCD. Research has shown that individuals with OCD have increased activity in certain regions of the limbic system, particularly the caudate nucleus, which is part of the basal ganglia.
The caudate nucleus is involved in regulating motor movements and the acquisition and retention of habits. Dysfunction in this circuitry may lead to repetitive behaviours and difficulty in suppressing unwanted thoughts or actions. This may explain why individuals with OCD have difficulty controlling their compulsive behaviours.
Moreover, the amygdala, which is involved in the processing of emotions such as fear and anxiety, may also play a role in OCD. Individuals with OCD often experience intrusive and distressing thoughts or obsessions that cause anxiety and fear. The amygdala may become overly active in response to these thoughts, leading to the persistent and distressing nature of OCD.
When the limbic system experiences anxiety and stress, it sometimes gets ‘stuck’ in fight/flight/freeze mode. This can lead to a vast array of physical and mental symptoms. Yet the key issue is the ‘stuck’ fight or flight response. The key to effective treatment and healing of OCD is understanding that there are mechanisms to turn off a ‘stuck’ limbic system. Go to our page on trauma & PTSD treatments to learn more.
Session Selection
Individual Session
A single session is perfect if you need a little mental relaxation during moments of heighten stress. Ideal to help combat the effects of, or prepare for a busy week.
Course Of Sessions
We recommend a course of sessions if you are looking at supporting a specific outcome. A course typically lasts five or ten weeks, where one or two light sessions per week can be scheduled.
This course protocol is then repeated every 2 to 3 months. Maintenance or relaxation sessions can be completed weekly or fortnightly during this more focused period; this is especially recommended if work or life stresses are significant.
Session Selection
Individual Session
A single session is perfect if you need a little mental relaxation during moments of heighten stress. Ideal to help combat the effects of, or prepare for a busy week.
Course Of Sessions
We recommend a course of sessions if you are looking at supporting a specific outcome. A course typically lasts five or ten weeks, where one or two light sessions per week can be scheduled.
This course protocol is then repeated every 2 to 3 months. Maintenance or relaxation sessions can be completed weekly or fortnightly during this more focused period; this is especially recommended if work or life stresses are significant.
Example DeepWave Sessions
Conscious Living SMR
Length: 30 minutes
No More Anxiety
Length: 30 minutes
No More Insomnia
Length: 45 Minutes
Purpose: Emotional balance, focus & attention, elevated mood, improved sleep
Purpose: Anxiety, Tension, Fear, and Stress Relief / Calm Awareness and Focus/Feelings of Well-being
Purpose: Improved sleep, Calmness and Stress relief
Feeling: Chilled,Peaceful, Calming, Colourful
Feeling: Gentle, Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming, Enjoyable
Feeling: Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming
Frequencies: 100% SMR (12-15Hz) with 85% at 14.4Hz
Frequencies: 0.1Hz, SMR variable (13 -14 Hz)
Frequencies: Theta and low Beta/SMR frequencies
This session uses solely frequencies in the SMR range. SMR stands for Sensory Motor Rhythm and is considered a fundamental balance frequency. Practice within this frequency range leads to a heightened ability to respond appropriately in changing situations. Almost like heart rate variability (HRV) for the brain.
The result is improved concentration, focus, brain clarity, elevated mood, improved sleep patterns, and reduced stress. If there was such a thing as a magic bullet frequency, SMR would be in the running.
Anxiety is probably the most prevalent challenge for people in modern times. Research shows that it’s not just an overabundance of higher brain waves that are more common in people with anxiety but a lack of coherence in the lower brain frequencies. This session is designed to help you retrain yourself into an idling state. The idling state is where you are ready to either take action or relax.
No More Insomnia is perfect for improving sleep, aiding calmness and supporting stress relief, it does this by increasing your SMR (Sensory Motor Rhythm) frequencies. SMR is your brains idling state where you are ready for either action or relaxation.
SMR frequencies have been shown to have some significant beneficial effects on calmness and quality of rest.
These frequencies are also responsible for movement, both while awake and non movement while asleep.
This session is best used during the day rather than at night, which makes it perfect to add into your weekly sleep support routine
Example DeepWave Sessions
Conscious Living SMR
Length: 30 Minutes
Purpose: Emotional balance, focus & attention, elevated mood, improved sleep
Feeling: Chilled, Peaceful, Calming, Colourful
Frequencies: 100% SMR (12-15Hz) with 85% at 14.4Hz
This session uses solely frequencies in the SMR range. SMR stands for Sensory Motor Rhythm and is considered a fundamental balance frequency. Practice within this frequency range leads to a heightened ability to respond appropriately in changing situations. Almost like heart rate variability (HRV) for the brain.
The result is improved concentration, focus, brain clarity, elevated mood, improved sleep patterns, and reduced stress. If there was such a thing as a magic bullet frequency, SMR would be in the running.
No More Anxiety
Length: 30 Minutes
Purpose: Anxiety, Tension, Fear, and Stress Relief / Calm Awareness and Focus/Feelings of Well-being
Feeling: Gentle, Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming, Enjoyable
Frequencies: 0.1Hz, SMR variable (13 -14 Hz)
Anxiety is probably the most prevalent challenge for people in modern times. Research shows that it’s not just an overabundance of higher brain waves that are more common in people with anxiety but a lack of coherence in the lower brain frequencies. This session is designed to help you retrain yourself into an idling state. The idling state is where you are ready to either take action or relax.
No More Insomnia
Length: 45 Minutes
Purpose: Improved sleep, Calmness and Stress relief
Feeling: Chilled, Sleepy, Peaceful, Calming
Frequencies: Theta and low Beta/SMR frequencies
No More Insomnia is perfect for improving sleep, aiding calmness and supporting stress relief, it does this by increasing your SMR (Sensory Motor Rhythm) frequencies. SMR is your brains idling state where you are ready for either action or relaxation.
SMR frequencies have been shown to have some significant beneficial effects on calmness and quality of rest.
These frequencies are also responsible for movement, both while awake and non movement while asleep.
This session is best used during the day rather than at night, which makes it perfect to add into your weekly sleep support routine
Make A Booking
Please utilise our booking system for Wellington appointments by clicking the button below. For Wairarapa appointments, kindly use the appointment request form.