OCD

Inside OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions) performed to ease the resulting anxiety. OCD can arise from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors, and its impact varies widely among individuals.

Obsessions often center around fears such as contamination, losing control, or misplacing important items. In response, individuals may develop rituals—like excessive washing, checking, or counting—to reduce distress. However, these compulsive behaviors can severely disrupt daily functioning.

OCD is not a collection of mere habits; it reflects a complex interaction of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms. Emotionally, individuals may experience chronic anxiety and frustration. Cognitively, they may struggle with concentration, planning, and organization. Behavioral patterns can include avoidance of triggering situations, while physically, symptoms may manifest as fatigue, appetite changes, or somatic pain.

Clients with OCD often exhibit heightened activity in the anterior prefrontal cortex, contributing to a brain state stuck in overprocessing and difficulty disengaging from worry. Neurofeedback assessments commonly reveal increased delta and theta activity in the frontotemporal regions and reduced alpha activity in the left frontal area during rest. At Rhyme Clinic, we use Neurofeedback to target these specific dysregulated brainwave patterns.