Natural Remedies for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

| Modified on Mar 28, 2024
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Krill Oil.

Natural treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, can sometimes be helpful if combined supplements like krill oil and vitamin d according to our readers.

A variety of supplements can be used in treating OCD to naturally balance the body’s composition and alleviate emotional and cognitive stress. Supporting the body’s nutritional needs can often prevent upsets and outward manifestations of the disorder.

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive compulsive disorder is defined as a mental health condition that involves unreasonable thoughts and fears, or obsessions, which lead one to perform repetitive behaviors, or compulsions.

Natural Remedies for OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder can largely be attributed to a chemical imbalance in the body. As such, treating the condition can be achieved by returning balance to the system through natural supplements. 5-HTP, cayenne and chamomile have all been identified as beneficial treatments for OCD. Obsessions typically follow a theme such as the fear of dirt or germs or danger. Common compulsions include washing, cleaning, checking, counting, following a strict routine and others.

The condition is typically considered to be the result of biology and environment. An individual’s natural body chemistry affects the manifestation of OCD as does one’s environment.

5-HTP

5-HTP is known as the direct precursor to serotonin, which is an important biochemical that transmits signals from one part of the brain to the other. As such, 5-HTP serves as a serotonin regulator, which in turn maintains a more balanced level of serotonin in the body. This balance facilitates more effective sleep, alleviates depression and prevents symptoms of OCD.

Cayenne

Cayenne possesses concentrated amounts of capsaicin a chemical that aids in the treatment of anxiety. Capsaicin increases endorphins in the brain and diminishes the transmission of pain signals, which together relax the body and decrease anxiety. Less anxiety equals less manifestation of OCD.

Chamomile

Chamomile is another anxiety calming compound. Chamomile in capsule or tea form is known to relieve stress and aid in healthful sleep. These two effects are effective for treating and relieving OCD symptoms.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is considered a mental health condition associated with anxiety. Natural options work to alleviate the condition by balancing the body’s natural chemicals and relieving stress.


Continue reading below to learn which remedies helped Earth Clinic readers with OCD and let us know what worked for you!


5-HTP

Posted by Susan (USA)

5-HTP is the direct precursor to serotonin
According to University of Mississippi researcher Ronald F. Bore, Ph.D., in his article: Serotonin: The Neurotransmitter for the 90's. Drug Topics. 1994, October 10:108., serotonin is "The Neurotransmitter of the 90's" Of the chemical neurotransmitter substances, "serotonin is perhaps the most implicated in the etiology or treatment of various disorders, particularly those of the central nervous system, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, stroke, obesity, pain, hypertension, vascular disorders, migraine, and nausea."

5HTP is often used in the place of SSRI drugs and L-Tryptophan in the treatment of more severe depression and for epilepsy.

As a result, 5HTP has many similar uses compared to L-Tryptophan, such as the assistance of sleep and alleviation of age related mental depression, as well as alcohol withdrawal, but its affects are concentrated in the brain (L-Tryptophan has other roles throughout the body).

Very high doses of 5HTP must be avoided, unless also taking carbidopa to avoid serotonin crossing into the bloodstream. Normal doses are 50mg to 100mg (200mg-maximum) daily.

Avoid use with other serotonin enhancing agents, such as L-Tryptophan or other serotonin enhancing drugs, such as SSRI drugs like Prozac, etc., without your physician's guidance.

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Replied by Dawn
(Yorkshire, UK)
01/25/2009

A Dr Murhree had a protocol to treat FM and CFS which involved taking 5 HTP at night to help sleep, whether or not you were on SSRis or not. Due to the fact that these drugs do not actually produce any serotonin just inhibit the breakdown. Now I was worried about seratonin syndrome but I really would like to try the stuff before tapering off my seroxat. Do you think I would be safe from serotonin syndrome?


Borax

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Doreen (Toronto, Canada) on 11/26/2016
★★★★★

I started trichotillomainia in grade 1. I am now 55.

Only once in my life since the disease have I stopped trichotillomania for 2 years. It was when my children were small and I refused to have pets for about 4 years. Then it went into remission.

Recently had a friend with demodex skin mites. Read it can cause itchiness, and people with pets have more of these mites. I wondered if the demodex mites might be partly responsible. Since Borax kills demodex mites, I started putting borax paste (mule Borax with enough water to wet) on head hair where I pulled, rubbing the gritty mixture in scalp. Have only been doing it for past 2 days, but noticed 90 percent relief in urge to pull hair.

This may only be a placebo effect, but I find it encouraging, where nothing worked me in decades.

I hope this may be of help to other who suffer from TTM

Best of wishes in life,

Doreen, a long time TTM sufferer.


Cayenne

1 User Review
4 star (1) 
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Posted by Dan (Hoboken, New Jersey) on 09/16/2010
★★★★☆

Hey everyone, I am 29 years old and have had OCD since about 12 years old. I have been searching for a natural cure and recently came across cayenne pepper. I put about 1 teaspoon in a mug of hot water, and it actually noticeably eased the OCD. And I mean my mind free'd up for the first time in years. The OCD is still there, but it became more tolerable. I'm interested to see if this helps out other people who read this. Please post if you try this and it helps. I also drink a lot of green smoothies, that may have helped too.

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Replied by Thenewguyintown
(Westwood, New Jersey, Usa)
09/16/2010

Aw the many wonders of Cayenne, its good for SO many things. You may want to consider adding some natural honey to it which will help as well.


Chamomile

1 User Review
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Posted by Afsoon (Tehran, Iran) on 10/15/2012
★★★★★

I have had OCD for about 19 years. I have taken some SSRI medicine and some other medicine to. Most of them have not had any significant effect on me. I had insomnia because of obsession and anxiety. So last week because of allergic reaction to some food id searched for a remedy. I found out that chamomile tea is good for it. I drank it, and it was very very good! It really helped me for anxiety, allergy and itching and the best one for me was it affects good on my obsessive thinking and insomnia. so I suggest u, drink it every night. But be careful it may make u more sleepy for some days. So u can sleep sooner at nights. and it makes u relax and sleep good. Use it for anxiety, insomnia, allergy and... To. u can search for that and find more info. chamomile or Chamaemelum nobile


Coconut Oil

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Posted by Jaminn (Alberta) on 07/17/2016
★★★★★

Coconut oil and strong religious faith for OCD

Use about 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil on a toast every day. On top of that have strong religious faith to not give into the obsessive urges.

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Replied by Robert
(Oh)
03/11/2018

How does coconut oil help ocd? I suffer from ocd and religious scrupolosity and obsessive thoughts and severe compulsion to relay the same words to god for hours and hours a day.

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Replied by Katie
(Canada)
09/07/2018

Hi Robert,

I don't have an answer about coconut oil and OCD but I wanted to share a bit. I was never tested but I'm sure if I was then I would have been diaagnosed with OCD. When I was younger I had strong impulses to touch things...one reason I told myself was that if I didn't do it then then I may never see that object again and would never know what it felt like so I would miss out on an experience. I would cross hallways to touch walls (even though I was already standing next to an identical wall), wash hands obsessively and tell myself if I didn't spin in a circle and touch the ground I would die. Some of it felt like a game gone wrong. Like not stepping on cracks. I am a Christian and I would ask myself if this was something I should pray for God to take from me. I didn't want to ask for something outside of His will. I asked myself, “Does God want this for me?” And maybe the OCD was causing me to second guess myself...and third guess myself and so on. (Another thing I did was pray over the same food many many times ‘cause I would say, “Gee, did I really pray for that or did I just imagine I did?” And my family was not very disciplinarian...they did not scare me into making sure I prayed obsessively). But I asked myself, when I was maybe 12 or so, if there was any way God wanted me to have this problem. With some thought I realised there was no way. Because He has a plan for each of us and I could barely get simple stuff done like this so I knew it was His will for me to be freed so I asked Him to take it from me knowing He would. And with the simple faith of a child that was it. I'm about to turn 30 and I haven't experienced that phenomenae since. I believe He broke that hold it had on me and I think I could put those chains back on if I chose but if there's the timiest temptation I am able to easily resist bacause I know I am capable in Him and it is worth it. I hope that helped. Maybe you're a Christian too. I hope no one chooses to be offended by this. I had to share because it was probably the single biggest healing I've personally experienced in my life. And what you said about repeating prayer reminded me of myself praying over a bag of potato chips and then praying over each potato chip silently (at least I thought) and another schoolgirl told me she saw me do that and she explained exactly was she saw. I think that was grade 3. I wonder how many people looked at me and saw a very troubled little girl. I also asked Him to take my swearing away and that was gone immediately as well because I trusted it was His will therefore He would help me. Swear words were another thing that would rattle on and on in my head when I heard someone say them. I would hear the same line of a song all night as I slept too. I'd wake up and just know it was going all night. Not sure how I managed to sleep except for getting used to it I guess.

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Jamie
(California)
05/06/2022

Thank you for your kind sharing. I have OCD and currently panicking over how much it can derail things I want to enjoy or achieve. I am not a religious person but I appreciated your story and I feel I need to have some faith or tenacity along with my ocd therapy to get through this because right now my human self is feeling very sad and tired, you know? Thank you for your comforting words.

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Replied by Bill
(Philippines)
09/09/2018

Hi Robert...OCD is now referred to as an ASD (Autistic Syndrome Disorder) disorder. As you may or may not know this will have different extremes with different symptoms which are defined as different illnesses. At one end of ASD you have problems like Depression, ADHD, CFS, OCD, bi-polar. At the other more extreme end of ASD you have Autism and Schizophrenia. I've worked with a few Autistic groups who have successfully used alternative protocols to help recover their kids from from Autism. The basic cause of Autism is usually due to a multi-infection from candida + parasites + bacteria. It is an illness that is caused by an association of infections by different pathogen species. This cause also strongly relates to all other ASD disorders in my opinion.

The most successful and consistent outcomes from OCD treatment has been achieved by Dr. James GreenBlatt who uses a simple orthomolecular protocol of important natural nutrients: 5HTP, Inositol, digestive enzymes, and probiotics. You can read more about the protocol at the end of this article:

Orthomolecular Medicine

Ted from Bangkok also has remedies on EarthClinic to help treat OCD. These remedies are explained here:

Ted's OCD Remedies


General Feedback

Posted by Rita (Salt Lake City, Utah) on 05/05/2013

Hi, I have suffered the below symptoms/disorders for many years, and I just wonder if any of you see any link between them (i.e. due to the lack of some mineral/vitamin, etc. ). I have had OCD for almost 10 years, and it has caused me chronic tension headache for 8+ years. The headache is better due to physical therapy, but OCD is still there. Further, I have ganglion cysts in my wrists. This could be due to sports, but I also had ovarian cysts, so not sure if something else is causing the cysts. The ovarian cysts were discovered 2 years ago and removed soon after the discovery (was causing great pain). Not sure when the ganglion cysts first appeared, but it started bothering me 2-3 years ago and still present after the doctor drained one.

This hasn't be diagnosed, but I think I have some degree of derealization or brian fog (not sure exactly what to call it). Basically very often I feel detached to the world and feel like the things/people around me are not real. I have trouble feeling my own feelings and cannot stay connected to my inner self or outside world. My brain often feels slow, sluggish and dull, and I cannot follow conversations sometimes even when I really try. When I am feeling spacey, time passes by quickly without me getting anything done. The "brain fog" followed soon after the OCD symptoms.

Just curious, does anyone see a link between OCD, brain fog and cysts? I am sure there isn't a single cause, but just curious if they could be related to some sort of element deficiency in my body. Also, any suggestions for cure will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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Replied by Sam
(Usa)
08/26/2014

You may want to do some research on natural, bio-identical, USP progesterone cream. It sounds like it may benefit you. Ovarian cysts can lead to excess estrogen production which can cause all kinds of problems including brain fog and headaches. Natural progesterone keeps estrogen in check. Don't use synthetic progesterone because it can make everything worse. Magnesium oil may also help you. Only purchase brands from the Zechstein seabed because other sources may contain toxic heavy metals. Not sure if OCD is part of the equation, but I would guess that when you reduce a lot of your symptoms with progesterone and magnesium oil, the OCD will ease up a bit. Good luck to you!

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Replied by Tlcm
(Ontario)
01/03/2015

I notice this brain fog... I often find when I am at home... it takes me a lot to get going. Once I get to work I am fine unless I am really tired. Often it just takes a lot for me to get organized. I am on an SSRI and I find the symptoms are much better but the brain fog persists... time goes by in turbo

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Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
01/03/2015

To TlCM;

When did the Brain Fog start? Do you associate it with the taking of certain meds? Or an infection, likely upper such as sinus or ear infection; maybe tooth related...does any of that ring a bell; let's try to track onset and that will tell us cause of Fog

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Replied by Dan
(Los Angeles, CA)
02/23/2015

I associate brain fog with mercury poisoning due to silver fillings...(if you have them of course) silver teeth fillings contain mercury which are constantly releasing mercury vapor into your brain which can cause brain fog , depression, and anxiety and many other skin and neurological problems. Hope this helps someone! Search: mercury poisoning amalgam fillings

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Replied by Lori
(Bostic, Nc)
06/01/2015

Your problems sound like many I went through when living in a house with mold problems. Have your house tested and/or look for a good Dr with lyme/mold testing! Also EC has a mold/fungus section with natural remedies..good luck!

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Replied by Cate
(Melbourne, Australia)
07/02/2015

Hi, I was reading up on OCD and Pandas for my boy who is 6 and just had a fever/cough a few weeks ago. He now has tics and OCD, it's most certain to be diagnosed as Pandas if I were the sort to go running to the doctor. (And I second a page on Pandas! )

Anyway, I was reading about the brain fog and OCD above, and one thing I know will help is diet change (to paleo) and Lugol's Solution. The Lugol's formula has whole body-available iodine and iodide; certain elements serve certain parts of the body, which is why Lugol's is so good. Chlorine and fluoride in water, and bromine in bread take up the spots in the body that iodine is supposed to take. We're flooded with these toxic halides, iodine is just so important- I can't state its importance enough.

Regarding brain fog- I had it so terribly that I likened it to being stuck in a small boat, a dinghy on the ocean in dead calm, surrounded by fog. When I took the prescribed dirty pharma drug ritalin, it was like being on board a full-steam-ahead luxury liner, up on the highest deck, on a bright sunny day with unlimited visibility. Then I became partially psychotic I guess; road rage, sudden irritation and anger at silly things. I gave it up and kept looking for answers. I found food and diet changes so profound. It started with getting off gluten, then after a few years I went paleo and have never looked back- except to say- 'Yikes, poor old me back then.'

The other thing I started recently was Lugol's, and that got rid of the very last bit of anxiety. It has helped my adrenals which I suspect were exhausted. But one thing is for certain, THERE IS NO BRAIN FOG within a million miles of this brain any more. I feel better than I ever have. :)

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Replied by Arnie
(Los Angeles, Ca)
11/02/2016

Yes I see a connection between brain fog depression n ocd for anyone that might come across this. I've heard mercury poisoning from dental silver fillings may cause all this and many other dental physical illnesses in some cases.


Krill Oil with Astaxanthin, Vitamin D

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
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Posted by Nicole (Virginia) on 10/28/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I've been giving my 11 year old son Krill oil with Astaxanthan included, along Vit D (2000-4000) per day. (The Krill oil comes with 4mg of Astanxanthan.) He has OCD so I have been trying different, natural supplements. One day I realized that he was no longer walking around the house re-tracing his steps over if he "stepped wrong"...and I wondered if it was the supplements... or was it just wishful thinking and I was just missing the re-tracing...

Then one day I saw him twice re-tracing his steps after 3 weeks of nothing. I asked when was the last time he took his Krill oil, etc. He said it'd been a week. So he forgot to take it that whole week. Once he started up again the re-tracing stopped after 2 days. I was so happy to see a definite correlation!!

He also stopped chewing his shirt collars. He has anxiety and chews on the collars randomly throughout the day, to the point where he puts holes in them and I have to throw them away. That also started up again the week he forgot the supplements, but stopped within a day once he resumed. No shirt has been in his mouth since.

Some days I have him take 2 Krill oils and 2 Vit D's (2000 ea) (he was tested as Vit D deficient)...other days just one. I'm so happy to have found something that helps him.

Next, I'm going to also add Magnesium and Lugol's to his regimin. I'm hoping this will help with his forgetfullness. I've seen an improvement with the current suppl. but I'm hoping to really improve his memory even more.

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Replied by Ang
(Australia)
10/21/2020

Hi Nicole, my daughter has OCD, is the krill oil still working?

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Replied by Sara
(Texas)
03/28/2024

Ty Nicole for sharing what helped your son. My son also has OCD and has extreme anxiety. I have only been able to find the krill oil with 2 mg of the Astanxanthan, but will be using it and the vitamins D. I am so thankful for this site where people can share what has helped them with different health issues. This site is my first go to when ailments etc. come up.

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Replied by Sara
(Texas)
03/28/2024

Ty again Nicole. If you or anyone else has any updates with what has worked for OCD, please share.


Link to Strep

Posted by Sailor (Waldorf, Maryland) on 12/29/2010

There is a link between OCD and Strep called PANDAS.

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Replied by Abedog
(Kirkland, Wa Usa)
07/23/2011

there is most definitely a link between OCD and PANDAS. I would love to see this covered more here. My 5 year old daughter has this and had sudden severe onset at 3 years old. I have been tryin to apply a lot of what I have been reading all through this site to her case. But a PANDAS specific page would be wonderful!

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Replied by Shara
(Chapel Hill, Nc)
03/15/2013

Can you please post some info about Pandas? Just starting to research and don't know where to begin. What has helped and what has not? Thanks.

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Replied by Gayle
(Ontario, Ca)
05/11/2015

Could be a connection. B6 is used to treat attention deficit disorder. A deficiency will give you brain fog, make it hard to concentrate. It is used to shrink cysts. A deficiency will also give you poor short term memory, and prevent you from remembering your dreams. If you also have trouble remembering your dreams, you may have hit onto something. As a matter of fact, this is how you determine how much to take. Start low, maybe 50 mg. Keep increasing your B6 intake until you remember your dreams. If you start to have weird obnoxious dreams, like you're lying in front of a widescreen TV with the sound blaring, you're taking too much. Beware, some people have been known to need much larger than normal amounts of B6 which others can't tolerate, people with pyroluria and Schizophrenia for example. I myself take up to 400 mg. Some people claim it can cause nerve damage. I was dosed by the Pfieffer Treatment Center. They claim that none of their clients has ever had nerve damage, even taking up to 2 grams of B6 daily, but they obviously know what they are doing.

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Replied by Gayle
(Ontario, Ca)
05/11/2015

Could be a connection. B6 is used to treat attention deficit disorder. A deficiency will give you brain fog, make it hard to concentrate. It is used to shrink cysts. A deficiency will also give you poor short term memory, and prevent you from remembering your dreams. If you also have trouble remembering your dreams, you may have hit onto something. As a matter of fact, this is how you determine how much to take. Start low, maybe 50 mg. Keep increasing your B6 intake until you remember your dreams. If you start to have weird obnoxious dreams, like you're lying in front of a widescreen TV with the sound blaring, you're taking too much. Beware, some people have been known to need much larger than normal amounts of B6 which others can't tolerate, people with pyroluria and Schizophrenia for example. I myself take up to 400 mg. Some people claim it can cause nerve damage. I was dosed by the Pfieffer Treatment Center. They claim that none of their clients has ever had nerve damage, even taking up to 2 grams of B6 daily, but they obviously know what they are doing.


Lithium Orotate, Lithium Aspartate

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Gean (Salina, Ks) on 05/24/2010

Hello, has anyone here had any experience with the over-the-counter supplements lithium orotate or lithium aspartate? This would be for OCD, or bipolar disorder, or anger, PTSD, etc. Thank you.

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Replied by Burblemesh
(Austin, Texas)
06/12/2012
★★★★★

I have taken lithium orotate (40 mg, 4 of the Gabatone pills per day provides this and other useful supplements) to help control bipolar disorder, specifically the mania. It has, however, helped even me out overall, including my depression. I have OCD as well and take 1800 mg of Inosotil and 1500 mg NAC to help with that. This combination has worked better than anything else I have tried, and I have tried a lot (completely exhausted Western medical options to no avail).


Mullet Fish

1 User Review
4 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Sara (Tirane, Albania) on 09/23/2016
★★★★☆

Hello Ted! Thank you find yourself near people with health problems. My son is 9 years suffering with OCD, is now 25 years, has used different medications but not recovered. I read your writings (http://ted.earthclinic.com/cures/obsessive_compulsive_disorder.html) that explain about the lack of minerals and thought maybe is true for my son ...... One day the boy had eaten fried mullet fish hard (had eaten the entire needles) and then a miracle happens his brain was very clear and he cheerfully said: "I recovered I'm not sick that my brain is clean". We do not know what happened, what mineral healed him, but it lasted only one day. My son continues with medications and they have given more effects anesore. Do be very grateful if you send feedback to, perhaps guy gonna antidepressant but no need for minerals. Thank you.


N-Acetylcysteine for Trichotillomania

1 User Review
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Posted by Bee (Stl, Usa) on 10/09/2009

I have suffered from TTM for pretty much my whole life, and have struggled to get past the pattern of pulling and guilt and shame. Unfortunately, I have not found anyway to stop pulling; I pull my eyelashes and eyebrows until they are gone. I recently read that N-Acetylcysteine may help treat TTM and wonder if anyone has any experience with using this? I am considering trying it, looking up studies on pubmed as well. I would love to be able to have full eyebrows and eyelashes and not be embarrassed and ashamed. It's so hard to explain to people the compulsion to pull. Please if you know of anything that can help, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it!

EC: From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania

"Trichotillomania (TTM, also known as "Trichotillosis"[1]), or "trich" as it is commonly known, is an impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, facial hair, nose hair, pubic hair, eyebrows or other body hair, sometimes resulting in noticeable bald patches.[2]:645 Trichotillomania is classified in the DSM-IV as an impulse control disorder, but there are still questions about how it should be classified. It may seem, at times, to resemble a habit, an addiction, a tic disorder or an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Trichotillomania often begins during the individual's teenage years. Depression or stress can trigger the trich. Due to social implications the disorder is often unreported and it is difficult to predict accurately prevalence of trichotillomania; 2.5 million in the U.S. may have TTM, with a 1% prevalence rate.[3]

The name derives from Greek: tricho- (hair), till(en) (to pull), and mania."

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Replied by Sandy
(Indianapolis, Indiana, Usa)
04/18/2011
★★★★★

I've suffered from trich since I was in my teens by pulling out my eyebrows and lashes when stressed out, sometimes not realizing what I was doing until the damage was already done. A few years ago I found Bach Flower Essences and tried the White Chestnut for when 'thoughts are buzzing in my head' and it has helped tremendously. You might want to check out the different flower essence descriptions to see which essence best fits your specific anxiety symptoms. When you find one you want to try, just put a few drops mixed in some water and sip or place a couple of drops under the tongue. I do this anytime I feel like I'm starting to get overstressed which is what triggers my pulling. Good luck!

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Replied by Ruth
(Ontario, Ca)
05/11/2015

I suffered from Trichotillomania from my teen years until close to menopause. Maybe there's a connection to hormonal changes. However, at that time I was also diagnosed with pyroluria. I found that taking the supplements for pyroluria made the trichotillomania disappear, so I have felt ever since then that trichotillomania is a side effect of pyroluria. Many of the supplements I take for pyroluria are the same as listed below for Trichotillomania.

Please check out "Safe Harbor" at alternativementalhealth.com Under their articles is a section by Dr. William Walsh who was the senior scientist at the "Pfeiffer Treatment Center." He now heads "Walsh Research Institute." He is also the author of "Nutrient Power, " so he's a great orthomolecular resource.

Under the section of his articles on OCD and Methylation (which are worth reading in and of themselves) is a blurb on Trichotillomania, "Trichotillomania has been associated with OCD and undermethylation. If you can confirm the presence of undermethylation, the patient should benefit from (1) aggressive doses of l-methionine, calcium, magnesium, along with augmenting nutrients zinc, B-6, Inositol, Vitamin A & C and (2) strict avoidance of folic acid, choline, DMAE, and copper supplements." Many of these supplements have been used to treat other forms of OCD also.

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Replied by Ruth
(Ontario, Ca)
05/11/2015

I suffered from Trichotillomania from my teen years until close to menopause. Maybe there's a connection to hormonal changes. However, at that time I was also diagnosed with pyroluria. I found that taking the supplements for pyroluria made the trichotillomania disappear, so I have felt ever since then that trichotillomania is a side effect of pyroluria. Many of the supplements I take for pyroluria are the same as listed below for Trichotillomania.

Please check out "Safe Harbor" at alternativementalhealth.com Under their articles is a section by Dr. William Walsh who was the senior scientist at the "Pfeiffer Treatment Center." He now heads "Walsh Research Institute." He is also the author of "Nutrient Power, " so he's a great orthomolecular resource.

Under the section of his articles on OCD and Methylation (which are worth reading in and of themselves) is a blurb on Trichotillomania, "Trichotillomania has been associated with OCD and undermethylation. If you can confirm the presence of undermethylation, the patient should benefit from (1) aggressive doses of l-methionine, calcium, magnesium, along with augmenting nutrients zinc, B-6, Inositol, Vitamin A & C and (2) strict avoidance of folic acid, choline, DMAE, and copper supplements." Many of these supplements have been used to treat other forms of OCD also.


Supplements

Posted by Breanna (Tucson, Az, USA) on 12/13/2009

Dealing with OCD/Anxiety

Hello, I just quickly wanted to say that i'm very familiar with this site and it has helped me very much through the few past years, so thank you!

I have had OCD since I was a child, but its mainly always been purely obsessional, no physical rituals. My anxiety has increased the past three months and I constantly feel afraid, nervous, sick because of the nerves, or just depressed. My brain fog has become very severe, its hard to pay attention to anything, and I always have a headache, especially behind my eyes. I never feel content, calm, or happy. I'm just very confused and numb. I know that vitamin D is good for the brain, i'm also familiar with valerian root, gotu kola, st. johns wort, and 5-HTP. The 5-HTP that I took was I believe 500 milgrams(?) and it said to take on an empty stomach before bed, but it gave me severe anxiety and almost made me vomit. I stopped taking it after three nights. I have never tried the St. Johns wort but i'm feeling so compelled too, I just wanted to know how to take it and how much should I take, as well as gotu and vitamin d. Will these counteract with one another? If there are better recommendations I would love to hear suggestions/insight. Thank you for reading, hope to here back soon.

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Replied by Tom
(Regina, Sk)
09/16/2010

Breanna: Have you tried the niacinamide form of Vitamin B3?

From the Pauling Library archives:
Article:
Supplemental Niacinamide Mitigates Anxiety Symptoms: Three Case Reports
http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jom/2005/pdf/2005-v20n03-p167.pdf

Each of these 3 persons were given a daily dosage of niacinamide to follow, and those doses are in the article. Anxiety disorders are classified into various categories such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), social phobia/social anxiety disorder
(SAD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This report will not differentiate the various categories of anxiety disorders as
Described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 3 Considering
Their high prevalence, it is paramount that effective treatments are offered to patients due to the obvious suffering that accompanies
Anxiety disorders. Heart racing, muscular tension, sweating, flushing, nervousness,
Constant worry, and panic characterize some of the debilitating symptoms
Of anxiety disorders

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Replied by Jana
(Usa)
03/10/2014

I heard Inositol is good for OCD. Also look up Dr. Amen's Brain healing program. He suggests Fish oil, N-Acetyl choline (i think). I saw him on PBS & have always wanted to get his program. He knows A LOT.


Ted's Remedies

Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 08/28/2007

Dear Ted, I am 32 years old and I have been living with my parents for the past six years, unable to work as a financial accountant due to my illness... My Symptoms: I was always a healthy person but since age 17 I began to have obsessive anxiety disorder (diagnosed as OCD by ALL the psychiatrists) and it was kept under control with Anafranil. But after five years' use it stopped working and everything came apart very rapidly from my 26 th year. I could no longer work, gym, listen to music or watch television or read a book - nothing. People talk about brain fog. I had almost NO brain function at all - just anxiety thoughts and pain. A total mental collapse. Here are my symptoms: BRAIN Anxiety, Bizarre obsessive thoughts, Paranoia, little perception, depressiveness, no pleasurable thoughts - all negative, No focus or concentration, impossible to start any task, nothing seems "real" and I am in a different world, severe brain fog, no cognitive function/ low ability to comprehend/learn. Can't "experience" or "feel" anything like music or a movie. Can't really think or experience at all. I can see and hear but Im not really "here". Burning sensation like acid in the brain. Pressure in the head. Always aware of "burning" and "pressure pain" but not like a headache. Difficulty in forming words or sentences and talking very unclear so that I have to repeat myself constantly. BODY Lethargy and tiredness - have to sleep A LOT. Burning type of pain over the whole body. Very weak muscles. No power or energy. Nerve problems. Pain in neck tendons and shoulders, Tremor/twitching of muscles with muscle exertion like doing a push up. Constantly feeling VERY sick all over, like having a strange flu or something but it doesn't go away. OTHER Constant ringing in the ears, "Pressure" feeling - physical, Teeth grinding while sleeping - jaw ache, Achy/irritation around eye area, Nasal congestion, Vision sometimes very blurred, Irritable Bowel Syndrome with chronic debilitating pain in lower large intestine/rectum, Spastic/Inflamed Colon (Colitis) with constipation. Kidney pain/tenderness. Hypothyroid. Weak liver. Pain under the arms. Back pain and in spinal cord. Hair loss, especially in the front. Note: There is always some good days and then bad days. Always up and down. Some symptoms come and go and come and go. I haven't felt healthy/just normal in years. Please Ted, my whole life has been robbed from me and I have seen over 50 doctors and specialists and natural doctors so far. Me and my parents have spent so much money on this strange illness that it is not even funny.

1. Does it look like metal poisoning and the resultant candida infection and maybe viral infection to you too? What would you recommend for a case such as mine? A few more specific questions.

2. Do I have to kill the candida with borax first before the metal removal or can I do it alongside?

3. I want to chelate metals with cilantro and oil pulling. Would that be ok or do I HAVE to add chlorella in order to get the metal out of the body (colon) as everybody says you must? I will be VERY VERY grateful if you could help me. Thank you for the opportunity to have written to you and ask for your help. Thanks again for helping mankind in their search for affordable health alternatives."


Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "The symptoms, while heavy metals is a suspect appears that you have the same condition as a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome induced heavy metals that I have witnessed here in Thailand, where mental fog and obsessive paranoia, and ringing of ears was completely cured or I may be having just a fantastic strings of luck here. LOL. The major remedies that have helped the person appears to be:

1. Magnesium 250 mg x 2 times a day.
2. Malic acid 1/2 teaspoon + Baking soda 1/2 teaspoon taken twice a day. In the early morning hours and late nights.
3. Vitamin B complex taken once every other day, where B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8 are 100 mg each, while B12 are about 100 mcg.
4. Hydrogen peroxide 3% 3-6 drops PLUS 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda in one full glass of water taken in the late mornings (about 9.00 am.) This helps with the brain fog.
5. Absolutely no sugar
6. A drop of clove oil added to the drinking water might help detox the liver
7. Some chelation using cilantro using a reasonable amount such as a tablespoon twice a week.

Those should do it, but my emphasis appears to be getting urinary pH to 7, by varying dose of baking soda more in the malic acid+baking soda mixture necessary. If a pH meter is handy, the baking soda added should be generally closer to 8. When varying dose, I usually mean more frequency. Getting sufficient alkalinity while important can only be done practically speaking 5 days out of a week.

The magnesium and the vitamin B complex, especially the alkalinity of urinary pH of 7 should solve the ringing of the ear problem. It takes about 3 weeks to noticed a general improvement using that remedy. I might be noted that should a person suffering from this condition that vomiting can result in improvement in condition as a result of excess acidosis. The remedy takes a while for an improvement, but the one I witnessed here with all the lack of taking properly, forgetting, bad communications takes about a year for a general trend of improvement, while a complete improvement were seen on the second year.

If candida is there, the remedy which is helpful was avoiding sugar, getting urine pH to 7 (using a cheap pocket pH meter), and 1/4 teaspoon (men's dose) of borax in 1 liter of drinking water usually once or twice a week at least for mild cases.

A general alkalinity formula I would use, such as 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid plus 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water is also possible alternative to the malic acid, but malic acid removes aluminum. I have found that it was not only the mercury, but also the aluminum that comes from the vaccines and malic acid is an efficient chelator of aluminum. I would leave no stones unturned which might mean if thing's aren't working out, then I would consider adding 1/8 teaspoon of tannic acid in a liter of drinking water and finishing it off.

Tannic acid binds tightly to other metals such as free metal iron, cadmium, and especially mercury. I do take this myself from time to time because the water here are contaminated. Tannic acid added to drinking water for tests about 1/4 teaspoon in a liter of water if left overnight turns into almost opaque black water just to dramatically show that the metal thing is more widespread than we think.

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Replied by Nan
(Minneapolis, Mn)
11/15/2010

A possible cure for OCD is homeopathic Arsenicum. I worked with a girl that suffered from OCD brought on by a fire in her house when she was young... For years she woke up nonstop all night long checking doors, the stove, her jewelry/for robbers... A night did not go by that this was the case. I gave her a dose of 30X Arsenicum... The next day she reported she slept thru the night for the first time in over ten years. It continued to work for her.

One must be careful using homeopathy... Search online for instructions in taking them - you can't eat within an hour.... Can't eat the whole time using strong-tasting foods... Mint (toothpaste), cinnamon, can't drink coffee, can't put menthol on skin or eat... Etc. You don't take homeopathics every day.... Take a dose and let it work some over time... If the effects start to drop off then take another dose...

Homeopathy is different than most medicines... You might want to read up on them online.. They can work amazing results on most difficult diseases... An easy way to diagnose what remedy you might need is to search online your primary disease symptom or name homeopathy.... And read to see which remedy most fits your symptoms - homeopathy is about matching symptoms.

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Replied by Richard
(Undisclosed)
11/28/2017

Just watch the chelation/cilantro and oil pulling, especially if you have mercury amalgams.



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