Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

obsessive compulsive disorder It’s a mental health problem. The patient has obsessive thoughts or thoughts that recur over and over again, leading to repetition or repetitive behavior. Usually treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder includes psychotherapy and medication. together Obsessive-compulsive disorder can affect people of all genders and ages. About 50% of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder develop symptoms during childhood and adolescence. The average age at which patients begin experiencing symptoms is 19 years of age.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

obsessive-compulsive disorder It is the thought of things or images that repeatedly pop up and disturb the mind, causing one to feel very anxious. Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder are unable to control their thoughts. And most are aware that those ideas don’t make sense. For example,

• Afraid to touch things Because they are worried about dirt or germs. or spread disease
• Worried that you will put yourself and others in danger if you are not careful enough.
• Thoughts arise that are not sexually appropriate.
• Afraid of doing something wrong
• Preoccupied with morality
• Ask repeatedly because you want confirmation or want to always hear reassuring words.
• Preoccupied with order, symmetry, and neatness. and perfection

Compulsive symptoms are repeated actions that the patient feels compelled to do in order to relieve anxiety. Patients don’t like having to do the same thing over and over, but doing so helps temporarily relieve obsessive-compulsive symptoms. For example,

• Likes to arrange things in a particular way.
• Likes to bathe or wash hands often
• Likes to collect things that have no sentimental value or value.
• Like checking locks, doors, or light switches.
• Having rituals related to numbers, such as having to do certain tasks at a certain time, like counting, having a like or dislike of a particular number.
• Say words or prayers when doing unrelated activities.
• Avoid touching or handling items that you think are dirty.

Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

The exact cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder is still unknown. But factors that may affect include:

• heredity: The risk is even greater if someone in your immediate family has developed obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood or adolescence.
• Changing brain structure: Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder have different brain structures in the frontal cortex and subcortex than other people.
• Pediatric autoimmune disease associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS Syndrome): It often occurs in children who have a sore throat from a streptococcal infection or scarlet fever.
• Psychological wounds in childhood

Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• history taking
• Screening according to the diagnostic manual DSM-5 (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders) according to the following criteria:
  • The patient has symptoms of obsessive thinking or obsessive-compulsive behavior, or both.
  • The patient spends more than 1 hour per day. Do things that are obsessive or obsessive.
  • The patient is distressed to the point of interfering with school, work, or daily routine.
  • Symptoms are not caused by drinking alcohol, using drugs, or any other disease.
  • Symptoms are not caused by a psychiatric disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder. unusual eating behavior Obsessive compulsive disorder and one’s own appearance

How to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• psychotherapy
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Help the patient understand the thoughts and feelings that arise. and deal with self-destructive habits or thoughts.
  • Exposure and response protection (ERP) Help patients face their fears and inhibit compulsive symptoms, such as when dealing with dirty objects. I had to restrain myself from washing my hands and cleaning.
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Help the patient accept their obsessive-compulsive symptoms as just thoughts. No need to follow
  • Meditation and mindfulness
• medicine Your doctor may prescribe medications such as antidepressants, selective SRIs (SSRIs), antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants.
• Brain magnetic stimulation (TMS) Your doctor may recommend this treatment if your symptoms are severe and do not improve with other treatments.

Getting regular treatment is essential to treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. If side effects occur from taking medicine You should notify your doctor immediately.

Complications of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Health problems such as skin diseases caused by frequent hand washing
• Problems at school, work, or social participation
• relationship problems
• Depressed
• Self-harm or suicide

How to protect yourself from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive compulsive disorder cannot be prevented. But you should seek treatment immediately to prevent the symptoms from getting worse and interfering with your quality of life.

Preparation before seeing the doctor

Write down any symptoms you have, such as things you think about repeatedly or do often, recent life changes that have occurred. Your own health history and that of your immediate family Medicines currently being taken and questions you want to ask the doctor For example,

• Are these symptoms a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
• What treatments are available for this condition?
• Is it necessary to take medicine?
• What should I do to make my symptoms improve?
• You should be prepared to answer questions that the doctor may ask, such as:
  • When did symptoms begin?
  • Do the symptoms come and go?
  • What makes symptoms better or worse?
  • Do you often wash your hands, count things, or check things?
  • Does anyone in the family have mental health problems?

Frequently asked questions

• How is obsessive-compulsive disorder different from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?
  Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder It is a personality disorder that demands perfection. orderliness and control
  Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder know that their obsessive-compulsive symptoms are problematic and must be treated. But people with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder do not think their actions or beliefs are abnormal.

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Published: 18 Jan 2024

2024-01-19 05:42:27

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