Facebook Instagram Youtube Linkedin
Logo da Neuropsyche - Neuropsiquiatria
en_GB
en_GB pt_PT es_ES
en_GB
en_GB pt_PT es_ES
Contact
TOC — NeuroPsyque

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Specialised assessment and treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Lisbon

WHAT IS OCD?

Avaliação psiquiátrica e neurofisiológica do TOC — NeuroPsyque Lisboa

An exhaustive cycle of thought and action

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is a serious and, unfortunately, common psychiatric condition. It is not a simple "craze" for organisation or cleanliness, but a neurobiological dysfunction in which the brain becomes trapped in a continuous cycle of intrusive thoughts that cause enormous suffering, leading the person to perform repetitive behaviours to relieve that same anguish.

Most common manifestations

  • Obsessions
    Intrusive and unwanted ideas, images or impulses (e.g. irrational fear of contamination, constant doubts or catastrophic fears).
  • Compulsions (Rituals)
    Physical behaviours or repetitive mental acts performed to neutralise the anxiety caused by obsessions.
  • The Relief Trap
    The compulsion brings temporary relief, but in the long term it reinforces the obsession, perpetuating the vicious cycle of OCD.
  • Functional Impact
    Rituals take up a lot of time (often hours a day), jeopardising work, studies, relationships and all spheres of life.

MAIN MANIFESTATIONS OF TOC

Contamination and washing

Irrational fear of germs, disease or dirt, resulting in compulsions to wash hands, body or house excessively.

Cleaning

Doubt and Verification

Constant worry that something bad will happen (e.g. leaving the cooker on, the door open), leading to repeated checks.

Verification

Symmetry, Order and Counting

Extreme need for objects to be perfectly aligned, symmetrical, or grouped in the "right" number.

Organisation

Intrusive Thoughts

Disturbing images or thoughts, sometimes of an aggressive, religious or sexual nature, resolved through mental acts ("pure OCD").

Purely Obsessive OCD
Estudo do cérebro e hiperatividade nos circuitos neuronais no TOC

OCD can take many forms and symptoms can vary over time if not treated properly.

Book an appointment

EFFECTIVENESS IN TREATMENT
OCD

Clinical results consistent with the most advanced methodologies in psychiatry and neuromodulation

70%
of patients respond to cognitive-behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP)
40-60%
of cases show an inadequate response to first-line treatments, requiring advanced approaches
38-58%
of response rate with deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) in resistant OCD - FDA approved
75%
maintain clinical improvement at 5 years of follow-up after achieving complete remission of symptoms

* Therapeutic success varies according to severity, comorbidities and adherence to treatment. OCD is a chronic condition that benefits from ongoing monitoring.

Sources: clinical data, Öst et al. (2016) - Meta-analysis of CBT for OCD; Carmi et al. (2019) - Real-world efficacy of dTMS for OCD (22 clinical centres); FDA (2018) - Approval of dTMS for OCD; Eisen et al. (2013) - Meta-analysis of longitudinal studies, remission and recurrence; APA Guidelines for OCD.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT

Neuroimagem
Estimulação Magnética Transcraniana
tDCS
Abordagens Complementares
tDCS - Estimulação Eléctrica Transcraniana
qEEG Mapeamento Cerebral
Sala de Tratamento
Espaço Bem-Estar

THE IMPORTANCE OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

OCD is often concealed by sufferers due to shame or fear of misunderstanding, often delaying diagnosis for several years. It is essential to realise that this is not a personality problem or character flaw, but a neuropsychiatric dysfunction that needs and receives appropriate medical treatment.

💡 Ignoring OCD tends to reinforce it over time. Professional intervention breaks the vicious cycle of anxiety and compulsive relief.

At NeuroPsyque, we apply protocols based on the most robust clinical evidence. We combine pharmacological support with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). For the most severe cases that are resistant to conventional drugs, we use Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which has been widely proven to be effective in the brain circuits affected by OCD.

BOOK AN ASSESSMENT
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's about OCD

What's the difference between "having manias" and having OCD?
Ordinary "manias" don't cause much suffering or interfere with everyday life. In OCD, obsessions generate extreme anxiety, and compulsions are seen as the only way to avoid disaster or calm the mind, stealing at least an hour (or much more) of the sufferer's day and causing enormous emotional distress.
What causes OCD?
The exact cause is unknown, but studies indicate that it is a combination of genetic factors, neurobiological factors (alterations in brain areas that process fear and decision-making) and environmental factors (intense stress, trauma or childhood infections, in rare cases).
Is there a definitive cure for OCD?
OCD is usually a chronic condition, so the term most often used is "symptom remission". With specialised and ongoing treatment, the vast majority of sufferers learn to control their illness and are able to lead perfectly functional, quality lives in which OCD no longer rules their daily lives.
How does EPR Cognitive Behavioural Therapy work?
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard therapy for OCD. It consists of gradually exposing the person to the object or thought that causes them fear (obsession), safely teaching them not to perform the relief ritual (compulsion), until the brain "relearns" not to emit false danger signals.
Is neuromodulation (EMT) indicated in OCD?
Yes. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has specific approval (FDA / EC) for the treatment of OCD. It is recommended above all for patients who have not improved with medication and psychotherapy alone, acting to regulate the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical network, which is overactive in obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Can OCD manifest itself only with thoughts, without physical actions?
Yes. Often known as "pure OCD", it involves mental obsessions (images, frightening intrusive thoughts, or taboos) where the compulsion is carried out internally: rituals, mentally recounting or reviewing situations to make sure you haven't done anything wrong, etc. These compulsions are invisible to other people.
Do I need a medical referral to book an appointment at NeuroPsyque?
No, no referral is necessary. You can book your appointment directly with our clinical team.