Compassionate Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Treatment in Malaysia
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (often referred to as OCD) can cause young people to experience distressing, intrusive thoughts and feel as though they must do certain things to get rid of them. This can take many different forms: for example, some young people may begin to feel an urgent need to check that the windows or doors are locked a certain number of times, while others may feel compelled to tap or touch certain parts of their body over and over again.
At The Wave, we know how frustrating and worrying it can be to witness a loved one exhibit these frightening, uncontrollable, and exhausting behaviours. Our programmes are designed to provide support and treatment in a safe environment so that young people with OCD can go on to lead healthy and fulfilled lives.
We are here to help
The Wave Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Admissions Team can be contacted on:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Wave Clinic: Specialists in Conduct Disorder
+60 327 271 799 (General Enquiries)
+60 125 227 734 (Admissions)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Wave International Group LLC
+971 438 354 01
What Is It and How Does It Work?
Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
When treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, The Wave recommends long-term residential care. This can be extremely daunting for families and young people alike, and young people may feel frightened or lonely moving to an entirely new country for treatment. However, with the support and compassionate care of our team, as well as the other young people in our programmes, young people at The Wave will be able to flourish and build meaningful relationships while learning how to manage their OCD.
The nature of OCD often isolates young people from others around them; the compulsions can seem frightening or strange to those who don’t understand the obsessions. Building and maintaining strong friendship groups is crucial to treatment. Our comprehensive facilities offer a safe space in which to engage with other young people through a range of activities and experiences, as well as in group therapy sessions.
The collaborative living environment at The Wave is particularly beneficial to those with OCD as it offers them the opportunity to develop social and executive skills alongside others. As we also offer programmes treating anxiety disorders and eating disorders, the likelihood of co-occurrence across these conditions can be taken into account through treatment plans which are tailored and adapted to each individual’s circumstances.
Laying the groundwork for a bright life after recovery
The Seven Core Elements of Treatment
At The Wave, our programmes feature seven elements to nurture teenagers and young people in all areas of their personal development and assist them in creating a bright future. Our treatment uses all seven elements to provide teens and young people with an environment to physically and psychologically recover, learning the skills needed to help them on their journey. Each of the seven elements will help young people rebuild their confidence and independence, equipping them with a firm education and opportunities to give back.
The seven elements include:
OCD often impacts relationships and the way young people are viewed by their peers. They might find it difficult to forge new friendships or interact with others. A lot of misinformation is often spread about OCD, so part of our treatment approach will work towards shedding those myths and arming them with proper information about their condition. Working closely with a team of psychotherapists, young people will come to better understand their disorder and that no one is to blame – especially not themselves.
Some of our clinical treatment options include:
Family therapy
One-to-one therapy
Expressive arts therapy
Somatic therapy
Self-love techniques
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
Group therapy
For young people with OCD, medical treatment is an essential component of recovery. At The Wave, we assess each person’s medical needs before prescribing any medication. Often, antidepressant medicines such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can benefit young people by helping to address the balance of chemicals in the brain, which mitigates the obsessive thoughts causing the compulsions.
Our team of experts will be on hand to provide 24/7 medical treatment and observations if necessary. Constant assessments and evaluations will also be made to ensure that young people have the care and support they need at all times.
We firmly believe that no young person should be left behind, and that’s why one of our seven elements is education. OCD can make it difficult for young people to focus and concentrate properly at school, having a run-on effect on their studies and ability to forge new relationships. With an ongoing treatment plan, there’s no reason young people shouldn’t be able to work towards a bright future.
Every young person has so much ahead of them, and we’re here to help them see their potential and realise their dreams. Alongside therapy and medical treatment, we provide a range of educational opportunities designed to bolster a young person’s confidence and skills for life outside of our clinic. Whatever their dream is, we’re here to help arm them with the tools needed to achieve it.
Some of the educational pathways we offer include:
International GAP-year experiences
Continuation of GCSEs and A-Levels
Vocational courses (London School of Art, Royal Horticultural Society, Leith’s School of Cookery, and The British Horse Society)
Each young person will have their own personal learning plan (PLP) to help them stick to their goals and set the foundations for a solid future.
A core part of our treatment approach, the global citizen programme is all about pushing young people to take action and heal while actively contributing and helping others in the community. While therapy, talking, and support are key to managing OCD, it’s just as important that those suffering from the disorder get a chance to give back and learn how to work with their peers to develop meaningful and positive change.
Often, young people with OCD are put at the centre of their family life – for treatment, for therapy, and for medication management. While this is needed, it can also sometimes make them feel like there’s always a spotlight on them and that they are always ‘in need’ of help. With our global citizenship programme, the tables are turned slightly, and all young people are given a chance to help out in the local community and impact others in a positive way through their actions.
OCD can also often make it difficult for young people to make decisions with clarity, meaning it can be hard to interact with others. With our global citizenship programme, they’ll not only learn how to develop friendships and greater self-awareness, but they’ll also learn valuable skills like teamwork and the importance of helping others.
OCD is a complex illness that responds well to a combined approach in therapeutic activities, which is why we provide many activities that nourish the body and mind. From indoor skydiving and quad biking to yoga and dance therapy, there is something for everyone.
With our outside-inside approach, young people have the opportunity to grow and develop a bank of skills that can be used in their future. All these strategies can be used in times of stress, helping them develop healthy coping mechanisms if they’re ever feeling stressed or under pressure. OCD can often have a knock-on effect on personal health and wellbeing, causing some things to be left on the backburner. Our global citizenship programme will help set young people up with healthy habits that can be used for life.
Cultivating a strong team spirit, sense of accomplishment, and fun into our treatment programmes is what sets our approach apart from others. We don’t just focus on medical and clinical treatment – we’re also keen to get our young people involved in fun challenges and experiences that will empower them and help them learn new life skills.
That’s why one of our seven core elements is experiences. All young people have the chance to take part in a range of experiences and exciting adventures, including:
- Dance and drama productions
- Fashion design
- Batik painting
- Pottery
- Horse riding
- Jungle adventures
- Orienteering
- Rock climbing
OCD can often impact relationships and the way a young person approaches life. That’s why our ‘experiences’ element is designed to help bolster their confidence to try new things and give them a chance to develop team-building skills. These are all things they can take with them into their life after recovery, setting a solid foundation for a fulfilling life.
OCD doesn’t have to rob a young person of their potential. They’ve got so much ahead of them, and we’re keen to help them realise their dreams and ambitions, giving them the tools and resources to set the wheels in motion.
Our dedicated care team works with each young person to develop an ongoing plan that will help ease them back into everyday life and transition healthily. We know that leaving behind the security and familiarity of treatment can be a little daunting, but we’re here to help each young person develop a set of goals and plans to work towards their future with confidence.
Having some kind of purpose when they leave our clinic will help set them up for their future and limit the chances of them returning to old habits. With a renewed sense of hope and inspiration, they’ll be more likely to stick to their goals and go on to lead a fulfilling life.
“I came to The Wave about 2 ½ years ago, and I can’t speak highly enough about their service, support, and love I received (and still do) from the team. They have helped me build stable foundations for a life that now feels worth living. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their amazing help, and I am lucky enough to call them my family.”
OCD Treatment Options
Recovering from OCD
We offer a range of therapies and treatments for OCD in our bespoke, highly effective, and compassionate programmes, including:
Group Therapy
Providing an opportunity for young people to work on their interpersonal skills, group therapy plays an important role in recovery and is an effective treatment for those with OCD. Through group discussions, young people at The Wave have the opportunity to talk about their experiences and listen to others. Not only does this help them understand their condition better, but it provides insight into how to avoid certain triggers.
As OCD can be an isolating experience, group therapy is also a place for those in our care to connect with other young people suffering from similar conditions. Here, young people can develop bonds and a sense of community in a safe setting. Group therapy can also provide inspiration and hope as young people see peers further in recovery.
One-to-One Therapy
Teenagers and young people diagnosed with OCD particularly benefit from talk therapy, which is featured in their weekly schedule. This treatment helps those in our care understand their symptoms, their course of treatment, and how to manage underlying issues.
Though one-to-one therapy can seem daunting to young people, it provides them with a space to feel heard and supported. It also equips them with the mindset needed for long-term recovery and enables them to work through any other existing mental health issues. During a young person’s stay in our centre, therapy plans are regularly reviewed and are fully flexible to provide the right care at every step in their recovery.
Family Therapy
At The Wave, we understand that OCD doesn’t just affect the young person suffering; it affects the whole family. Though admitting a young person for treatment can be daunting, doing so is in their best interest. At The Wave, we aim to put family members at ease throughout the duration of treatment by working with them and providing them with regular updates.
In addition, we offer family therapy which enables many families to understand what the young person living with OCD is going through. Family therapy also provides a safe space for families to explore their concerns and emotions. During this stage of treatment, we guide families and help them support the young person on their treatment and recovery journey.
Frequently asked questions
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder FAQs
OCD often develops in early adulthood, but some people can begin experiencing symptoms around puberty. A subset of people will start to display obsessive-compulsive symptoms before the age of ten. Though childhood onset is more prevalent in boys than girls, later onset affects both equally. About 3% of the global population is affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder.
It is not certain what causes it, though psychological factors from childhood frequently come into play, and OCD often starts after an important life event. People who are anxious or especially methodical and neat are more likely to develop obsessive-compulsive disorder.
There are two components to OCD: the obsession and the compulsion. Obsessions are intrusive and uncontrollable thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere and overwhelm the mind. Compulsions are the specific behaviours individuals with these obsessions begin to display: they use these behaviours to reduce the distress caused by the intrusive thoughts. All of this can be very upsetting to experience. If untreated, it is likely that these behaviours will become more elaborate over time, and they can begin to completely exhaust the person afflicted.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is not always a result of one specific thing but is often related to early childhood traumas such as abuse or bullying. It is also believed to be more common in individuals who exhibit neurotic or perfectionist tendencies.
Between 1%-3% of the adult population is believed to have OCD, and this condition is often found in comorbidity with other, similar disorders such as anxiety disorder, eating disorders, and depression.
Where OCD was once an almost untreatable, life-long psychiatric disorder, it is now very manageable with the correct treatment. Certain medications have been proven to be effective in managing the symptoms of OCD: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, for example, alter the balance of chemicals in the brain to ease the feeling of obsession.
However, the best OCD treatment combines medication, talk therapy, and other forms of therapy such as Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), social skills training, and executive skills training. Group therapy has also proven to be a very effective treatment for OCD.
The Wave has provided me with the ability to feel calm with the secure feeling that they are a team of professionals who know exact what my daughter needs. It has not been easy and continues to be a challenging journey.
The consistent communication through WhatsApp, phone calls, in-person and virtual family therapy sessions and weekly report have made being halfway across the world feel as if I am as part of my daughter’s treatment as I possibly can.
I had a great experience when I was on The Wave. It was one of the best experiences in my life. I enjoy all the sessions conducted by the team. I never had a chance to speak in group, specially with friends from other countries before.
It opens my eyes and gives me a new knowledge and experience to be a better person.
It opens my eyes and gives me a new knowledge and experience to be a better person.
