CANDIDATE FOR DBS
DBS therapy is not right for everyone. The doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment option.
Candidates for deep brain stimulation therapy for OCD may:
- Have a diagnosis of OCD with a documented duration of at least 5 years
- Have OCD rated as severe or extreme illness
- Have depression and anxiety
- Have failed to improve following treatment with at least three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Do not have hoarding as the primary subclassification
- Have completed or tried to complete cognitive behavior therapy
- Have no serious psychiatric disorder in addition to OCD (for example personality disorder) or substance abuse issues
- Meet established criteria for implantation of a deep brain stimulation system
- Are 18 years old or older
- Have not had a previous surgery to destroy the region of the brain that will be the target of stimulation
- Are not pregnant
- Have no other neurological disorders, including dementia
- Do not have a bleeding disorder or are not taking blood thinners
- Do not require routine MRIs
If you have certain medical conditions and carrying certain risk factors, DBS Therapy may not be a good choice.