Skip to main content

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder



What is OCD? 

People are more prone to suffer with this OCD due to the current corona situation, this may cause fears. OCD is the pattern of wanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsion). Persons with this disorder may try to ignore or stop their obsessions, but they may increase distress and anxiety. Similarly they may feel active to perform compilation acts to ignore or get rid of bothers some thoughts or urges.

Symptoms 

Symptoms of OCD include both Obsession and compulsion. But people may have either obsession symptoms or compulsion symptoms. 

Obsession symptoms

OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted thoughts, urges or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety etc. 

Examples of obsession signs and symptoms include:

  • Fear of contamination by touching objects others have touched

  • Doubting and tolerating uncertainty

  • Needing things orderly and symmetrical

  • Aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control and hurting themselves or others

  • Unwanted thoughts or aggression

  • Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately in public. 

  • Avoidance of situations that cause obsessions, such as shaking hands.

Compulsion symptoms 

People who are engaging in the compulsions bring no pleasure and may offer only a temporary relief from anxiety.

  • Washing and cleaning

  • Checking

  • Counting

  • Orderliness

  • Following a strict routine

  • Demanding reassurance

Complications

Problems resulted from obsessive-compulsive disorder may include:

  • Spending more time in ritualistic behaviors

  • Health issues, like contact dermatitis by frequent hand-washing

  • Difficulty in attending work, school or social activities

  • Trouble in relationships

  • Overall poor quality of life

  • Negative thoughts and behavior

Diagnosis

This is difficult to diagnose OCD, because symptoms may resemble with personality disorders patients.

  • Psychological evaluation

  • Diagnostic criteria for OCD - statistical manual of mental disorders (DM5)

  • Physical exam

Treatment 

Treatment may not result in a cure, but it can help bring symptoms under control so that they don't rule the whole day. 

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is effective for people who suffer with OCD. Exposure and response prevention (ERP), are components of CBT therapy, it involves gradually  exposing a person to a feared object or obsession, such as dirt, and having the person learn ways to resist the urge to do your compulsive rituals.

Medications

Antidepressants and psychiatric medications are recommended by the doctors. 

  • Clomipramine (Anafranil) is for adults and children 10 years and older.

  • Fluoxetine (Prozac) is recommended for adults and children 7 years and older.

  • Fluvoxamine for adults and children 8 years and older.

  • Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) for adults only.

Resource: Mayo Clinic

#Stayhealthy 

#Staysafe


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to be happy during this lockdown?

By Varshith Reddy Lockdown is the restriction of movement of people in order to control the spread of the corona virus which is treated as the global pandemic . The Government of India has announced lockdown on 25th March 2020 which is bolt from the blue for the entire nation. From then still lock down is being continued for the protection of people from this contagious disease. Now we have entered into a completely different lifestyle in this period.  People are not allowed to go wherever they want except for essentials,  no meetings with friends, relatives, no chance of parties, functions and eating outside food etc.  We all are waiting to return back to our normal lives.  It is an upstill task to spend an entire day or month not stepping outside of homes.  But we can still be happy with our families. Happiness is a state of mind where positivity plays a key role. In a world full of negative things going around, still we can make it a better pla...
Post a Comment
Read more

Importance of critical thinking

What is critical thinking?  Critical thinking includes the ability to engage in reflective & independent thinking. It is the ability to think clearly and rationally about what to do? or what to believe? Some of the features related to critical thinking includes: # To understand the connections between the ideas.  # Identify, construct and evaluate arguments. # To identify the relevance and importance of ideas. # To detect inconsistent and common mistakes in reasoning # To solve problems systematically  # To justify one's own beliefs & values Critical thinking is not about knowing so much information. A person should be able to reduce the consequences from what they know, and how to make the use of information to solve problems, and to seek relevant sources of information. And a person who has good memory and who knows a lot of facts, may not be good at critical thinking. Critical thinking should not be confused with arguments or being critical to other peo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stress Management

Stress management deals with a wide range of techniques and psychotherapies to control individual stress levels, especially in severe conditions by improving everyday functioning. Effects of stress Stress shows negative effects on the physical & psychological well being of an individual. It also shows a positive effect on personality that includes motivation & ability to deal with stressful situations. Causes of Stress Things that cause stress are called stressors. These are of three types - physical, emotional,  social  Physical stressors affect the physical well being of the individual. These include accidents, hunger, lack of sleep, Sickness. Emotional stressors affect both physical and emotional well being of an individual. These mainly include worry, fear,  grief, depression, anger. Social stressors arise from relationships with other people - peers,  family, teachers,employees etc.  Stress related illness   ...
Post a Comment
Read more