Ep33: Monica’s Story: Focused Ultrasound for Treatment-Resistant OCD

In this episode of Curing with Sound, we hear the remarkable story of Monica Russell, who has lived with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for nearly 30 years. Diagnosed at age nine, Monica pursued a wide range of conventional and alternative treatments before participating in a focused ultrasound clinical trial at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Following two noninvasive treatments, she experienced immediate relief from depression and a sustained 35–40% reduction in OCD symptoms over the following year and a half.

Monica shares a candid account of her struggles with debilitating OCD, including the painful compulsions and time-consuming rituals that affected her personal and professional life. Her experience offers valuable insight into the challenges of living with treatment-resistant OCD and the life-changing potential of focused ultrasound as a breakthrough therapy for psychiatric conditions.

Discussion highlights:

• Focused Ultrasound as a Treatment Option: The episode outlines how focused ultrasound helped reduce Monica’s depression and OCD symptoms when other therapies had limited effect.
• Advancing Research Through Clinical Trials: Monica’s story underscores the critical role of clinical trials in evaluating new treatment options for patients with treatment-resistant OCD. Her participation highlights the need for continued funding and enrollment in focused ultrasound research to expand access and improve outcomes for others facing similar challenges.

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  Email [e-mail] if you have questions about focused ultrasound or the Foundation.

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