Symptoms And Treatment Of Ocd

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) was once considered a rare disease, but today, it is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders present among society. OCD is described as “intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions), which increase anxiety, and by repetitive or ritualistic actions (compulsions), which decrease anxiety” (Stein, 2002). In the DSM-IV, Obsessive compulsive disorder can be diagnosed through observable behaviours or repetitive mental habits. Symptoms include; the constant washing of hands, and/or fears concerning danger to others or to self – resulting in frequent paranoia. OCD has been linked with lesions in various neurological circuits of the brain due to the consumption of dopamine agonists (for example, cocaine). In order for obsessive compulsive disorder to take clinical significance, dysfunction and distress must follow symptoms. The treatment of OCD was initially developed in the Freudian era, as psychoanalytical treatment was seen as the most effective treatment at the time for mind management. Conversely, recent empirical evidence proved otherwise. Pharmacological therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy, also known as systematic desensitization are nowadays the most prominent remedies used in treating obsessive compulsive disorder.

According to the DSM-IV-TR, people with OCD suffer from recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions, defined as "persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress" (Criterion A.1), which are difficult to dismiss, despite their disturbing nature. These experiences are more intrusive than excessive worries about real-life problems, and they are unlikely related to these kinds of problems. (Criterion A.2). Persons who suffer from OCD try to ignore, suppress or neutralize their obsessions with some other thought or action (Criterion A.3) and recognize that they are a product of their own mind (Criterion A.4).

OCD is the acronym for obsessive-compulsive disorder (What is OCD?). OCD is a mental disorder that is not common, due to the fact that only 1.0% of the population has been diagnosed with OCD (Facts & Statist). “A person with OCD has obsessive and compulsive behaviors that are extreme enough to interfere with everyday life” (What is OCD?). These obsessions and

OCD has a well-established biological component similar to other anxiety disorders. According to the National Institute of Health (2010) anxiety produces affective physical reactions in people, suggesting

After a proper diagnosis, there are many treatments available for patients suffering from OCD. However, before any treatment is administered, the patient and family are educated about OCD and its treatment as a medical illness. First of all, there are medications

There are two treatment options for people with OCD: therapy or drugs. While some literature has argued for the benefits of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and psychosurgery, they are no longer popular options for those with OCD, since they have proven more harmful than good. The same goes for treatment with drugs since it relies on paper cooperation, comes with side effects, and does not last once the patient stops taking

A person with obsessive-compulsive disorder may choose between two main treatments: medications and psychotherapy. Though you can choose which one of them suits your needs best, a combination of the two is often found to be most effective in dealing with OCD symptoms.

Once considered a rare condition, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ( OCD ) now affects millions of people globally and it is considered to be the fourth most common mental illness in many western countries that will affect men, women, and children regardless of their race, religion, nationality or socio-economic group ("How Common Is OCD?" 1). Obsessive - Compulsive Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by persistent and anxiety-provoking thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to diminish anxiety and distress brought by obsessions. Despite the development of theories and in depth researches, scientists are still unable to identify the definite cause of OCD. While some scientists believe that it is due to the

With all these symptoms mentioned, and alterations within the body, there is a wide range of treatment that OCD patients can undergo. Unfortunately, OCD cannot be cured, and many researchers consider it to be a life-long disorder; however, its symptoms can be managed through the proper medication. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used as part of treatment, as they reduce depression by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. SSRI’s block the reuptake of serotonin, making more serotonin available for further use. Anti-depressants are also used when the patient reaches a point of helplessness, and possibly depression. On the other hand, anti-anxiety medication can also be utilized to help ease the patient’s anxiety when bombarded with discomforting obsessions that lead to compulsions. Exposure and response prevention therapy is utilized during cognitive-behavior therapy, where the psychologist or psychiatrist expose the patient to situations that provoke certain obsessions and anxiety, where the patient feels the urge to perform certain compulsions in order to reduce or end the anxiety he/she is feeling. The medical caregiver’s job is to help the patient overcome these obsessions by not performing the compulsions. The purpose of this type of therapy is to teach patients that abstaining from performing these compulsions will not result in these perceived harmful consequences (Abramowitz and Taylor, 2009). The therapy helps

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a treatable disorder. It is a type of anxiety disorder which occurs throughout one’s life. A person with OCD can’t control their obsessions and compulsions. They get recurring thoughts which are stressful and not important but extremely hard to stop thinking about.

To begin with, the causes of OCD are various. Biological factor are closely related with this mental disease. More specifically, there is circuit in the brain which is responsible for some aspects of our behavior like sexuality, aggression etc. When this specific circuit is active these desires ae appeared and pushed the person to act in a specific way, with a particular behavior, according to this desire. For instance, if you go to the bathroom then you ill wash your hands. If you suffer from OCD, the brain will not be able to stop the impulses of the circuit so you will feel unable to stop the specific action (washing the hands).

Treatment for OCD is no different than any other anxiety disorder. The treatments consist of medication and behavioral therapy. The medication sometimes is not effective but another medication should be tried in the non-effective ones place. Some medications that are used to treat OCD are: clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine. Behavioral therapy is another effective treatment for OCD. Therapist use a method called “exposure and response prevention.” This method has proven useful in the treatment of OCD patients because the patient is voluntarily put in a situation that could possibly trigger and OCD attack,

Obsessions are unwanted ideas or impulses that repeatedly well up in the mind of a person with OCD. These are thoughts and ideas that the sufferer cannot stop thinking about. A sufferer will almost always obsess over something which he or she is most afraid of. Common ideas include persistent fears that harm may come to self or a loved one, an unreasonable concern with becoming contaminated, or an excessive need to do things correctly or perfectly. Again and again, the individual experiences a disturbing thought, such as, "My hands may be contaminated -- I must wash them" or "I may have left the gas on" or "I am going to injure my child." These thoughts tend to be intrusive, unpleasant, and produce a high degree of anxiety. Sometimes the obsessions are of a violent or a sexual nature, or concern illness. People with OCD who obsess over hurting themselves or others are actually less likely to do so than the average person. Obsessions are typically automatic, frequent, distressing, and difficult to control or put an end to by themselves. With these reoccurring obsessions continuously being played in the sufferers mind, they start performing repetitive acts that reassure them that their hands aren’t dirty, or the gas for the stove is turned of. This response to their obsession is called a compulsion.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is influenced by neurological factors with symptoms such as repeating steps, continuously washing their hands, and having a fear of objects like germs. Although there is no cure, there are treatments such as medication and therapy that can help lessen the patient’s anxiety and discomfort.

Many people may think they have OCD simply because they have to have something in a certain order. While this may be a symptom of OCD, they usually don’t spend their whole day doing it over and over again. People who suffer from the disorder take their obsessions