Anxiety Disorder:
WHAT IS OCD?
Obsessive - compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which time people have recurring , unwanted thoughts , ideas or sensations that make them feel driven to do something repetitively.
OCD causes the brain to get stuck on a particular thought or urge.
For example: You may check the stove 20 times to make sure it's really turned off because you are terrified of burning down your house.
Or , you may wash your hands until they are scrubbed raw for fear of germs.
OCD OBSESSION AND COMPULSION:
- Obsession are involuntary thoughts , images or impulses that occur over and over again in your mind.
- These obsessive thoughts are often disturbing and distracting.
- Compulsions are behaviors that you feel driven to act out again and again.
For eg: If you afraid of contamination , you might develop elaborate cleaning rituals , However the relief never lasts.
THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF OCD :
Mostly people with OCD fall into one of the following categories:
- CHECKERS : Repeatedly check things that they associate with harm or danger.
- WASHERS : Are afraid of contamination they usually have cleaning or hand washing compulsion.
- COUNTERS & ARRANGERS : Are obsessed with order and symmetry.They may also have superstitions about certain numbers , colors or arrangements.
- HOARDERS : Fear that something bad will happen if they throw anything away.
CAUSES :
- BIOLOGY : OCD may result of changes in your body's own natural chemistry or brain function.
- GENETICS : OCD may have a genetic component but specific genes have yet to be identified.
- LEARNING : Obsessive fears and compulsive behaviours can be learned from watching family members or gradually learned over time.
RISK FACTORS :
- FAMILY HISTORY : Having parents or other family memebers with the disorder can increase your risk of developing OCD.
- STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS : If you have experienced traumatic or stressful events the risk may increase.
- OTHER MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS : OCD may be related to other mental health disorders , such as anxiety disorders , depression , etc.
COMPLICATIONS :
- Excessive time spent engaging in ritualistic behaviors.
- Troubled relationships.
- Poor quality of life.
- Health issues.
- Suicidal thoughts and behavior.
DIAGNOSIS :
- PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION: This includes discussing your thoughts , feelings , symptoms and behavior pattern .
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION : This may help to rule out the problems that could cause your symptoms.
TREATMENT :
- PSYCHOTHERAPY : Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is a type of psychotherapy which is effective for many people with OCD. Exposure and response prevention a component of CBT involves gradually exposing you to a feared object or obsession such as dirt , and having you learn ways to resist the urge to do your compulsive rituals .
- MEDICATIONS : Certain psychiatric medications can help control the obsession and compulsion of OCD , most commonly anti depressants.
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