Neuro Therapy: Supporting the Healing of OCD Through Architecture

Abstract

There is a common misconception that Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, most commonly referred to as OCD, affect anyone and everyone that may experience a “need” for perfection or order in detail. In reality, less than 1.5% of the human population experience a life with OCD, most commonly developed in adolescence and young adult years. Here lies the understanding that there is indeed a significant difference between being a perfectionist — someone who requires flawless results or performance, for example — and having Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (Mayo Clinic). People with OCD often do not experience architectural environments that allow them the ease and comfort to aid in the rehabilitation of their disorder. Even though medication is often used to mask the compulsions in the OCD cycle, the only way to recover from the mental illness is to retrain the brain. This research thesis studies the connection between the psychosocial influence behind architectural building environments and the ability a building environment has on the rehabilitation and psychological reformation to those living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorders.