All you need to know about OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
What is OCD?
The obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental illness mainly characterised by obsessions and compulsions. With OCD, you experience intrusive unwanted thoughts, impulses, and images that repetitively enter the brain and generate distress. Compulsions on the other hand drive you to perform some acts over and over. OCD can be managed when proper care and treatment is given. This can be achieved through individual effort, good support system from friends and family, or organizations such as OCD New York whose purpose is to help you live a normal fulfilling life.
When and how is it diagnosed?
The average onset is 19 years old but it can be detected as early as six years old.OCD coexists with other diseases such as depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental illnesses therefore parents and caregivers who have had a family history of OCD must be very keen to notice any symptoms that might manifest. Early detection is key as it makes treatment more effective and easier to manage. For you to get a diagnosis, you must have exhibited symptoms such as obsessions, compulsions, or even both.
Characteristic obsessions associated with OCD include:
- Contaminations
- Fear of causing harm to yourself and others
- Unwanted sexual thoughts
- Fear of offending God ( Religiosity)
Compulsions can either be covert or overt. Overt compulsions are those that can be seen such as counting or arranging objects while covert compulsions are those that cannot be observed by those around you; an example being reciting phrases repeatedly in your brain. Compulsions are performed to neutralize the anxiety felt as a result of the obsessive thoughts. They include:
- Counting
- Ordering, arranging
- Repetitive checking
- Cleaning; Washing hands
- Reciting phrases
OCD treatment and management
There is no known cure of OCD but it can be managed through psychotherapy and some prescribed medication. Self-medication is not advised as it can be risky due to the side effects of some medication and may worsen the condition. Therapy is most recommended if it is mild OCD while severe OCD is treated with both medication and therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has proved to be effective as it helps challenge your thinking, actions as well as behavior. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is whereby you are exposed to the factors or objects of obsession that trigger anxiety. This helps reduce the intensity of the obsession. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used for individuals that do not respond to other management methods and may involve surgery where electrodes are planted in certain areas of your brain. Prescribed medications such as antidepressants are used to relieve symptoms such as depression.
OCD is attributed to environmental and biological factors such as genetics or imbalances in neurotransmitters in the brain. You are advised to seek help if you notice any of the above-listed symptoms and start treatment immediately. Look out for symptoms associated with OCD and do not suffer in silence as OCD can be managed and you can lead a normal life.