Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) What is Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder? What are the symptoms of OCD? Most common obsessions
and compulsions What causes OCD? How to treat OCD? How family
and friends can help Self-help Additional resources
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What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? The most common features
of OCD are obsessional thoughts and compulsive behaviour.
Obsessional thoughts are distressing, repetitive thoughts which
you know are your own (unlike hallucinations) but cannot ignore;
some people describe these as being like a 'stuck record'.
Compulsions are ritual actions or mental processes which you
feel compelled to repeat in order to relieve anxiety and
temporarily stop obsessional thoughts. For example, you may have
an obsessional thought that your hands are dirty and repeatedly
wash them over and over again. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive
rituals can take up many hours of each day. In its most severe
form, OCD can prevent you from completing even simple daily
tasks, such as washing the dishes.
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What are the symptoms of OCD? Not all obsessive thoughts and
compulsive behaviours are symptoms of a mental health problem.
Most of us have worries, doubts and superstitious beliefs. It is
only when your thoughts and behaviour make no sense, cause
distress or become excessive that you may want to look for help.
OCD symptoms can occur at any stage of your life. If you suffer
from OCD you may also feel anxious and depressed, and may
believe you are the only one with such irrational and obsessive
thoughts. Unfortunately, such feelings may make you afraid to
tell anyone or ask for help - which will only delay diagnosis
and treatment. Having OCD should not be seen as a sign of
weakness, nor should you feel you are lacking in will power
because you are unable to stop these thoughts and behaviours.
Symptoms of OCD are also seen in other brain disorders such as
Tourette's syndrome.
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Most common obsessions and compulsions Most common obsessions
Fear of contamination Fear of causing harm to someone else Fear
of making a mistake Fear of behaving unacceptably Need for
symmetry or exactness Excessive doubt Most common compulsions
Cleaning and washing Checking Arranging and organising
Collecting and hoarding Counting and repeating
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What causes OCD? There are different theories about why OCD
develops. It can be based on previous experiences - especially
during childhood. And the type of personality may also be
important - perfectionists seem to be more prone to this
problem. OCD has been linked to increased activity in certain
parts of the brain and some experts think low levels of a brain
chemical called serotonin may be involved - although others
disagree. Stress does not cause OCD, but a stressful event such
as birth, death or divorce may act as a trigger.
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How to treat OCD? There is no immediate cure for OCD but there
are a number of treatments and things you can do to help you
deal with it. The first step in getting treatment is to explain
your symptoms to your GP who can then refer you for specialist
help. The most effective treatments for OCD generally involve
talking treatments such as counselling, psychotherapy and
cognitive behaviour therapy and drug therapy.
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How family and friends can help As family or a friend, you may
feel frustrated and confused by the symptoms of OCD, but you can
help a lot by accepting your partner's, friend's or relative's
feelings and understanding they find it difficult to cope.
Generally, negative comments or criticism tend to make OCD
worse, whereas a calm, supportive family can help improve the
treatment's outcome. When children or adolescents have OCD, it's
important for parents to work with teachers to be sure that they
understand the problem.
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Self-help Self-help groups can provide help, support and
encouragement. Contact the organisations linked to below to try
to find a local group. You can also help by becoming something
of an expert on OCD. Since OCD may come and go at different
times in your life, you and your family will benefit from
learning all you can about the problem. This will help you get
the best from your treatment and keep the problem under control.
About the author:
Listen to Arthur Buchanan on the Mike Litman Show!
http://freesuccessaudios.com/Artlive.mp3 THIS LINK WORKS, LISTEN
TODAY!
With Much Love, Arthur Buchanan
President/CEO Out of Darkness & Into the Light 43 Oakwood Ave.
Suite 1012 Huron Ohio, 44839
www.out-of-darkness.com
567-219-0994 (cell)
