Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
obsessive-compulsive disorder It is a mental health problem. The patient has obsessive thoughts or thoughts that repeat over and over, leading to repetition or repetitive behavior. Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder usually 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 to experience symptoms is 19 years old.
Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
obsessive-compulsive disorder It is the thought of things or images that appear repeatedly and disturb the mind, making one feel very anxious. Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder are unable to control their thoughts. And most are aware that those ideas make no sense. For example,
- Afraid to touch things Because they are worried about dirt or germs. or spread disease
- Worried about putting yourself and others in danger if you’re not careful enough.
- Thoughts arise that are not sexually appropriate.
- Fear of doing something wrong
- Concerned about morality
- Ask repeatedly because you want confirmation or always want to hear reassuring words.
- Concerned with order, symmetry and cleanliness. and perfection
Compulsive symptoms are repeated actions that the patient feels compelled to perform to relieve anxiety. Patients don’t like having to do the same thing over and over again, but doing so helps temporarily relieve obsessive-compulsive symptoms. For example,
- He likes to fix things in a particular way.
- He likes to bathe or wash his hands often
- He loves collecting things that have no value or sentimental value.
- How to check locks, doors or light switches.
- Having rituals related to numbers, such as having to perform certain tasks at a certain time, such as counting, liking or disliking a particular number.
- Say words or prayers when doing unrelated activities.
- Avoid touching or handling objects that you think are dirty.
Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The exact cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder is still unknown. But factors that can influence include:
- inheritance: The risk is even greater if any of your close relatives have developed obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood or adolescence.
- Changing the structure of the brain: 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 due to a strep infection or scarlet fever.
- Psychological wounds in childhood
Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (DOC)
- taking the story
- Screening according to the DSM-5 diagnostic manual (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) according to the following criteria:
- The patient exhibits 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.
- The symptoms are not caused by alcohol consumption, drug use, or any other disease.
- The symptoms are not caused by a psychiatric disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder. unusual eating behavior Obsessive compulsive disorder and one’s appearance
How to Treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Help the patient understand the thoughts and feelings that arise. and address self-destructive habits or thoughts.
- Exposure and Response Protection (ERP) It helps patients face their fears and inhibit compulsive symptoms, such as when dealing with dirty objects. I had to stop myself from washing my hands and cleaning up.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Help the patient accept their obsessive-compulsive symptoms as mere thoughts. There is no need to follow it
- Meditation and mindfulness
- medicinal 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 for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you experience side effects from taking medicines You should notify your doctor immediately.
Complications of obsessive-compulsive disorder (DOC)
- Health problems such as skin diseases caused by frequent hand washing
- Problems at school, at work or in social participation
- relationship problems
- Depressed
- Self-harm or suicide
How to protect yourself from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
OCD cannot be prevented. But you should seek treatment immediately to prevent symptoms from worsening and interfering with your quality of life.
Preparation before seeing the doctor
Write down any symptoms you feel, such as things you think about repeatedly or do often, recent life changes that have occurred. Your health history and that of your immediate family Medications you are currently taking and questions you want to ask your 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 improve my symptoms?
- You should be prepared to answer questions your doctor may ask, such as:
- When did the symptoms start?
- Do the symptoms come and go?
- What makes the symptoms better or worse?
- Do you often wash your hands, count or check things?
- Does anyone in your family have mental health issues?
Frequent questions
- How is obsessive-compulsive disorder different from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder It is a personality disorder that requires perfection. order and control
Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder know that their obsessive-compulsive symptoms are problematic and need to be treated. But people with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder don’t think their actions or beliefs are abnormal.
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Published: January 18, 2024
2024-01-19 05:42:27
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