What Is OCD?
OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder. It’s a mental illness where you experience obsessions, compulsions or both that interfere with your everyday functioning. The definitions include:
- Obsessions are repeated thoughts, images or desires that you experience even if you try not to. They feel intrusive and disturbing, causing pain and anxiety.
- Compulsions are behaviors or thoughts that you feel driven to repeat even though you don’t really want to. A lot of times, compulsions are done to reduce the anxiety that you feel because of your obsessions.
One to two percent of adults experience OCD at any given time, and the symptoms usually start in early adulthood but can begin in childhood. There are some medications and therapies that can help, but a lot of times people with OCD just have to learn how to manage their symptoms since, until now, nothing has been totally effective.
Ketamine therapy for OCD is a new approach that could bring fast and thorough relief of your symptoms. Trained psychiatrists at the Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry, located in Downtown Manhattan, provide ketamine therapy for OCD and other mental disorders.
Dr. Ditzell’s New York psychiatry clinic offers therapy online and in-person for mental health conditions like ADHD, OCD, bipolar disorder, depression, and addiction. His team integrates deep psychopathology knowledge and experience for accurate diagnoses and effective care.
Leading edge of ketamine therapy for OCD
What Are the Obsessive Symptoms of OCD?
An OCD diagnosis is based on obsessions, compulsions or both, which are time consuming and cause distress and harm the quality of your life. Only an informed and trained professional such as your NYC Psychiatrist can officially give you a diagnosis.
Obsessions are repeated thoughts or mental images or urges that you just can’t get out of your head and may consist of:
- Thoughts of violence
- Sexual acting out
- Random, unfounded worries, such as: “If I step on a crack in the sidewalk, my mother will be harmed.”
- Intrusive and unwanted images
- Excessive focus on details
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help from the team of experts at Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry. OCD is a treatable condition, and there are many effective treatments available, from CBT with ERP to medications to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain and ketamine infusions.
What Are the Compulsive Symptoms of OCD?
One of the ways you may try to neutralize obsessions is through compulsions. Compulsions are repeated behaviors that are almost like rituals you feel forced to do. You believe they may relieve the anxiety that comes from your obsessions.
Common examples of compulsive behavior include:
- Repeated handwashing
- Turning lights on and off
- Counting
- Repeating words over and over
- Checking things over and over dozens of times like making sure the door is locked or the oven is off
- Putting things in a special order
- Organizing or cleaning to unnecessary limits
These things often are performed with a sense of panic. OCD takes up a lot of time and energy and affects the quality of your life. Most people with OCD are aware of what’s going on, which then leads to other conditions to escape, such as:
What Is Ketamine Treatment for OCD?
Ketamine treatment for OCD is the use of ketamine to relieve obsessions, compulsions and the other symptoms that come with this difficult condition. Ketamine was developed for use as an anesthetic, but recently it’s been shown to be a good treatment for several mental health conditions.
If you qualify for treatment, you could receive:
- Ketamine infusion for OCD
- Ketamine nasal spray for OCD, also known as Spravato
- Ketamine pills
- Other therapy as recommended
- Additional psychiatric interventions
Ketamine treatment for OCD is done in the NYC’s Downtown Manhattan clinic so you’re under medical supervision in case of side effects. After a thorough assessment to determine your course of treatment, you move on to receiving IV ketamine infusions, or intranasal ketamine for OCD. Treatments usually last about two hours and are done in a relaxing setting. There may be mild side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, headache or nausea, so you stay in the clinic until these run their course.
How Can Ketamine for OCD Help?
Ketamine for OCD has been shown to deliver rapid and powerful relief of symptoms with limited side effects. The standard treatment for OCD has been basic anti-depressants, which can relieve some obsession and anxiety, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy. This is effective for some people, but there are drawbacks.
Anti-depressants can take six to eight weeks to reach maximum benefit, and they’re not effective for everyone, sometimes leaving symptoms only partly resolved. Ketamine for OCD provides benefits for many people that include:
- Rapid relief sometimes as early as 24 hours after first treatment
- Reduction of anxiety and depression associated with OCD
- Relief of suicidal ideation that can come with OCD
- Building up of healthy brain connections
- Possible creation of long-term change
- Relief of symptoms that allows for therapy to be more effective
If you’re someone who doesn’t respond well to the traditional treatments, or you just need quicker relief due to dire symptoms, ketamine therapy for OCD might be appropriate for you. Ketamine therapy may be especially helpful if you have additional symptoms like anxiety and hopelessness as a result of your OCD.
How Do I Get Ketamine Therapy for OCD?
Contact the Dr. Ditzell’s Psychiatry Ketamine Center in Downtown Manhattan. The experienced team of doctors, nurses and therapists build a holistic, integrated treatment plan to make sure you get what you need. Interventions are delivered in a soothing and therapeutic atmosphere that eases your mind while you receive treatment.
Although medication is only one part of the plan, ketamine therapy for OCD can be life changing if you have stubborn symptoms that don’t respond to standard treatment, or if you’re at the end of your rope with frustration due to your illness. The doctors at the Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry are non-judgmental and supportive and collaborate with you to find the solutions that you need to get back to fully living your life.
How Can I Find Ketamine for OCD Near Me?
Contact Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry, a specialized psychiatry clinic for a consult and evaluation in your area. Our team of local doctors, nurses, and therapists will determine your needs and help develop a comprehensive and well-balanced treatment plan close to home.
The local psychiatry practitioners at the Dr. Ditzell Psychiatry Center want to know your symptoms, concerns, hopes for the future, and what you’re seeking from treatment. Ketamine for resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are only one part of a successful therapeutic plan tailored to your local needs, but it can be lifesaving when you need it.
If you’re struggling with OCD, give us a call to set up a consultation at (646) 751-7908.
See a OCD Ketamine Specialist in New York City
Experts in providing Ketamine infusions for OCD in New York City
Book Appointment