What you need to know about OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
What is OCD?
Obsessive compulsive disorder is mainly characterised by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, impulses, and images that repetitively enter the brain and generate distress while compulsions drive one to perform some acts over and over. It can be managed well when care and treatment is given to patients.This can be achieved through individual effort or organisations such as OCD New York whose purpose is to help individuals suffering from OCD live fulfilling lives.https://www.thrivingmindpsychology.com/services/ocd.
When and how is it diagnosed?
The average onset is 19 years old but can it can be detected as early as six years old.OCD coexists with other diseases such as depression, anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses. It requires parents and caregivers to be vigilant so as to detect it earlier. Early detection is key as it makes treatment more effective and the disorder easier to manage. There are criteria for diagnosis which include presence of obsessions, compulsions or even both.
What are the symptoms?
Characteristic obsessions associated with OCD include:
- Contaminations
- Harm which makes you fear causing harm to yourself and others
- Unwanted sexual thoughts
- Religiosity that makes one fear offending God
Compulsions can either be covert or overt. Overt compulsions are those that can be seen such as counting or arranging while covert compulsions are those that cannot be seen an example could be reciting phrases 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
- Repeating some phrases
What causes OCD?
There is no known cause of this disorder although environmental and biological factors are believed to cause it. OCD is also genetic and can be acquired from family.
OCD treatment and management
There is no known cure of OCD yet 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 to individuals with mild OCD and individuals with severe OCD are treated with both medication and therapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has proved to be effective as it helps you challenge your thinking, actions as well as behaviour. 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.
You are advised to seek help if you notice any of the above listed symptoms and start treatment immediately. Do not suffer in silence as OCD can be managed and you can live normally.