LIST OF ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR OCD PATIENTS (CHAPTER 6)

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D has important functions in immunity, inflammatory response and antioxidant processes. It is also essential for normal brain development and functioning, as it plays several key roles in the nervous system processes such as neurotransmission, neuroprotection, proliferation and differentiation. For example, some previous studies have demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency is associated with numerous neuropsychiatric diseases which include autism, major depressive disorder (clinical depression), schizophrenia and OCD. There are several possible relationships between vitamin D and OCD pathophysiology, in which of these is the association between the active form of vitamin D3 (1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3), and tryptophan hydroxylase. While tyrosine hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine synthesis, tryptophan hydroxylase is the rate-limiting enzyme in serotonin synthesis where the levels of these two enzymes are regulated by 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D. Hence, it can be concluded that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to OCD aetiology by affecting the pathway of serotonin and catecholamines synthesis.

Finally, there is also another relationship between vitamin D and OCD has to do with the neuroprotective effect of vitamin D. In some studies, for instance, the role of free radicals or an increased level of nitric oxide in particular is manifested in OCD. Vitamin D has antioxidant effects and possesses an ability to deter an essential enzyme (inducible nitric oxide synthase) for nitric oxide synthesis. With that being, vitamin D deficiency may play a role in OCD by causing the deterioration of neuroprotection.

2. Herbal Treatments

Certain herbs may have some benefit in reducing symptoms of OCD. Unfortunately, the consequent degree of their effectiveness has not yet been tested. As with all types of medications, herbal treatments can have unwanted side-effects and may interact with prescription or over-the-counter medications and other botanicals. For this reason, people who wish to explore alternative treatments should consult with a knowledgeable doctor prior to the above treatments.

The sedating effects of some herbal medicines, in addition, are believed to reduce symptoms of anxiety. These plants include German chamomile, hops, kava, lemon balm, passion flower, skullcap, valerian and gota cola. Unlike the other herbs such as Ginkgo biloba and evening primrose oil which have been suggested as an alternative treatment of OCD with little evidence for their effectiveness, the compounds in these traditional German herbs are known to act on systems in the brain in a similar way to the benzodiazepine class of medications. Regardless of the fact that these plants appear to be safe, however, they should be consumed with caution too since they can potentially elevate the sedating effects of other medications, as well as alcohol.