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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a clinical mental health disorder which involves recurrent thoughts, images or impulses (obsessions) that make the individual fearful or anxious. People with OCD suffer from obsessions, that are intrusive and ego-dystonic thoughts, which they manage through compulsions, which are overt or even covert behaviors.


Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions: These are the thoughts, images, or impulses that recur in ones mind and which one does not want or find pleasant. They can also pertain to topics like contamination, violence, doubt, or order.

Compulsions: These are the behaviors or mental processes, that are repeated by the individuals to alleviate anxiety or distress resulting from obsessions. They are usually done when there is a precondition of acting by a set of values as well as beliefs stemming from superstition.

Common OCD Symptoms

Obsessions:

 Fear of contamination: Obsession with cleanliness – fear of germs or dirt.

 Doubt about actions: Continual doubt in one’s ability to have done activities right.

 Intrusive thoughts: Invasive thoughts that are generally thinking of distressing clichés such as harm, violence, or sickness.

 Perfectionism: Cleanliness compulsiveness, arranging or counting, exacting tidiness, or an obsession with having everything in its proper place.

 Hoarding: Sustained inability to let go of things or objects one has not used for a long time or those that have no use at all.

Compulsions:

Checking: Compulsively turning on and off lights, locks, or other objects or appliances.

Washing: Continued washing of hands or cleaning more than necessary—this is not healthy, especially when one is taking care of other people, especially children.

Counting: Measuring physical measurement by counting the objects or the steps.

Arranging: Method of arranging things in a particular fashion.

Reassurance-seeking: It is overly anxious, needing others’ approval all the time.

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Causes of OCD

There are some definitive causes of OCD although its root causes are not well known fully, it is thought to be a combination of both genetic, social, and environmental factors. These may include:

Causes of OCD

Genetics: A family history of OCD or other psychiatric diseases.

Brain Structure: The variation in such biochemical incidents concerning brain structure or brain operation that is in areas linked to anxiety and choice-making.

Neurotransmitters: Chemical imbalances’ in the brain, such as serotonin, that is involved in regulation of mood.

Treatment for OCD

This is the summary of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder OCD is a treatable condition. In most cases, the treatment includes some form of psychotherapy and the use of medications.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

An approach of treatment that enables the sufferer to admit irrational thoughts, challenge them, and replace them with healthy ways of dealing with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

The particular form of CBT that entails desensitization of certain fears as well as prevention of certain behaviors or actions that are regarded as compulsive.

Medication

Medications that are beneficial in the treatment of OCD include antidepressants especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Help for people with OCD

Treatment for OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is difficult to manage and there are tons of information where you can seek help. You might want to try participating in group support, finding support groups, or self-referral to a health care provider such as a therapist or a counselor. Visit Deland Treatment Solutions or Call us at (386) 866-8689 for treatment programs.

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