Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex condition involving unwanted, intrusive thoughts, impulses, or mental images—known as obsessions—that cause significant anxiety and distress. These thoughts often feel out of alignment with a person’s values or intentions, making them particularly upsetting and hard to ignore.

In response, individuals with OCD may engage in repetitive behaviors or mental rituals—called compulsions—in an effort to reduce or neutralize the anxiety triggered by the obsessions. These behaviors are often time-consuming and can interfere significantly with daily life.

OCD can lead to serious impairments in social relationships, work productivity, and overall emotional well-being. The burden extends beyond the individual, contributing to increased psychological, medical, and societal costs.

While the exact cause of OCD is not fully understood, growing research suggests it involves dysfunction in a specific brain network known as the orbitofrontal-striatal-thalamic circuit. This network includes regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPF), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), supplementary motor area (SMA), and the basal ganglia—all involved in decision-making, emotional regulation, and habit formation.

Medication and talk therapy do not work for everyone. Statistically about two-thirds of people with OCD experience only partial relief or continue to struggle with distressing symptoms and side effects from medication. For these individuals, more targeted and personalized approaches are needed.

At Brain Health Hawaii, we offer a whole-person, neuroscience-informed approach to OCD. This includes:

• Comprehensive assessment and brain mapping to identify areas of disrupted brain activity and underlying physical causes of dysfunction.
• Personalized treatment planning that addresses not just symptoms, but also the brain-body based roots of brain activity dysfunction associated with OCD.
• Non-invasive neurostimulation techniques aimed at restoring healthier brain network functioning—especially in individuals with treatment-resistant OCD.

By focusing on the unique brain patterns and individual needs of each person, we aim to support long-term recovery, reduce the impact of OCD on daily life, and help individuals reconnect with a sense of balance and well-being.