Vitamin D. Previous studies have demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency is associated with numerous neuropsychiatric diseases that include autism, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and OCD.
Vitamin B12 and folate are thought to be effective in OCD treatment due to their associations with neurotransmitters. Depending on their antioxidant effect, zinc and selenium can be used in augmentation therapy for OCD. However, both trace elements and vitamin B12/folate can be affected by diet.
Studies have shown that patients with OCD have high levels of homocysteine and low levels of Vitamin B12 in comparison to healthy individuals14. It is also possible that OCD is an early manifestation of Vitamin B12 deficiency13.
Trauma, stress, and abuse all can be a cause of OCD getting worse. OCD causes intense urges to complete a task or perform a ritual. For those who have the condition, obsessions and compulsions can begin to rule their life.
[37] Low levels of vitamin D can increase the severity of OCD symptoms as they decrease the amount of serotonin by decreasing tryptophan hydroxylase synthesis. We found that there was no significant correlation between disease duration and serum vitamin D levels.
Vitamin B12 and folate are thought to be effective in OCD treatment due to their associations with neurotransmitters. Depending on their antioxidant effect, zinc and selenium can be used in augmentation therapy for OCD. However, both trace elements and vitamin B12/folate can be affected by diet.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Research suggests that a high number of people with OCD have vitamin D deficiency. A 2017 study found that children and teens with OCD tend to have significantly lower levels of vitamins D and B12 and higher levels of the amino acid homocysteine (an indicator of vitamin deficiency).
Magnesium Improves Brain Chemicals that Help Anxiety, OCD, Depression, and ADHD. Magnesium plays an essential role in neurologic function, including involvement in neurotransmitter synthesis, nerve transmission and neuromuscular conduction.
Practice Mindfulness
Another way to manage OCD is through mindfulness, or the ability to be fully present and aware in a particular moment. It often involves techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help your mind relax.
The most effective treatments for OCD are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and/or medication.
I typically recommend magnesium glycinate, although most forms of Mg are helpful—except for magnesium oxide, which is poorly absorbed. Improvement in symptoms once beginning Mg supplementation can take many months.
Expected Duration/Prognosis: While OCD can be lifelong, the prognosis is better in children and young adults. Among these individuals, 40% recover entirely by adulthood. Most people with OCD have a marked improvement in symptoms with therapy while only 1 in 5 resolve without treatment.
Pure OCD, like all types of OCD, is treatable and symptoms can be managed. OCD treatments include: talk therapy, especially a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) called exposure and response prevention (ERP) medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Recently, it has been proposed that vitamin D plays an important role in serotonin and melatonin regulation, which further indicates the relevance of vitamin D in mental health, especially the regulation of mood and sleep [4,6].
Reduced dopamine D1 receptors and dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum have been reported in people with OCD, along with both increased and decreased reports of dopamine transporter (DAT) binding.
These obsessions and compulsions can range in severity, but what causes OCD to get worse over time is not properly managing the condition earlier on. Stress, trauma, avoidance, or even something as seemingly innocuous as a change in routine can all contribute to the worsening of OCD.
Ongoing anxiety or stress, or being part of a stressful event like a car accident or starting a new job, could trigger OCD or make it worse. Pregnancy or giving birth can sometimes trigger perinatal OCD.
The onset of OCD is not limited to the original meaning of trauma; rather, traumatic experiences such as unexpected exposure to contaminants or various stressful life events often cause the onset of OCD.