OCD - through a Naturopathic lens

First and foremost, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder at 29, which I recall first starting from around age 10 when my parents went on an overseas work trip to England during the Iraq War in 2004.

The way in which OCD took form for me was through body checking, hyper-organisation, skin picking, consistently thinking my food was contaminated, being afraid of germs (including hand washing and excessive showering), and what was described as anxiety but it was truly obsessive and intrusive thoughts that went around in loops for days, weeks, and months.

I still have flares of OCD when I’m extremely stressed, but diagnosis, therapy, and naturopathic care have greatly impacted my remission.

Naturopaths see the body as a whole, with all parts playing their role in dis-ease. So let’s dive into what it means to have OCD, and how naturopathic care can support this chronic and debilitating condition.

OCD is classified as a chronic mental health condition characterised by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) that an individual feels driven to perform. These intrusive thoughts and time-consuming rituals (often >1 hr/day) cause significant distress and interfere with daily functioning.

OCD is usually developed as a coping mechanism for things we cannot control in our environment, traumatic life events, genes, infections, brain chemistry imbalances, as well as nutritional deficiencies.

Western medicine usually recommends a combination of medication and therapy for OCD, which can be greatly helpful for rumination and mood stabilisation; however, it doesn’t look at the bigger picture of what is happening in the body to cause such imbalances in the brain that lead to OCD tendencies.

Several studies suggest that low serotonin levels (hence SSRI medications) can lead to some people getting “stuck” in a mental state where they develop obsessions that are difficult to escape.

Other studies suggest there is a genetic component, including polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene, which plays a key role in the methylation process.

This process is essential for regulating homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid. When the MTHFR gene is impaired, it can disrupt methylation and lead to elevated levels of homocysteine.

High levels of homocysteine have been found in OCD groups in comparison to controls, as well as other key nutritional deficiencies that support the methylation process, such as B vitamins, specifically vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

High levels of glutamate, the brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter, are implicated in the pathogenesis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), particularly within the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuits.

This leading theory suggests that an imbalance in glutamate and GABA (a calming neurotransmitter) leads to hyperactivation in the CSTC circuit, resulting in compulsive behaviours.

Other factors that can impact OCD severity include gut health (where 70% of our serotonin is made), prolonged increased cortisol levels causing neuroinflammation, and the impact of prolonged stress on the liver.

As naturopaths, our treatment aims for OCD include:

Supporting nutritional deficiencies first - vitamin D, activated B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and selenium.

Reducing severity of symptoms/compulsions - testing for the MTHFR gene, supporting the methylation pathway through nutritional support, reducing glutamate in the brain, and increasing GABA production.

Reducing overall stress on the body - herbal intervention and lifestyle modifications such as a healthy sleep routine, exercise, mindfulness techniques, and reducing screen time.

Supporting gut health - gut testing, microbiome support to increase serotonin levels and increase receptivity to serotonin, reducing inflammation through a gut-friendly diet.

Supporting liver health - improving antioxidant protection for the body to reduce systemic inflammation, specifically in the nervous system.

OCD is a complex and deeply personal condition that can impact every aspect of daily life, but with the right support, it is possible to find relief and long-term balance.

By addressing the body as a whole, through nutrition, nervous system support, gut health, and lifestyle factors, naturopathic care can play a valuable role in reducing symptoms and supporting overall wellbeing.

If you’re struggling with OCD or experiencing similar symptoms, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

I offer personalised naturopathic consultations tailored to your unique needs, helping you uncover underlying imbalances and create a sustainable path toward healing.