What is obsessive-compulsive disorder + its treatment

November 14, 2018

I washed it thirty times but it's still dirty!

In obsessive disorder, a stressful, unpleasant and irrelevant thought constantly comes to the person, and as a result of the suffering caused by this thought and the inability to express this suffering, the person feels the need to constantly repeat a certain behavior. Stressful, unwanted and irrelevant thoughts that constantly come to mind are called "obsessions" and when a person feels the need to repeat a certain behavior continuously, they are called "practical obsessions". Obsessive compulsive disorder may have a hereditary and genetic basis. Unpleasant events or unhealthy family relationships also initiate or worsen OCD.

Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD can show itself in childhood, often around the age of ten. Obsessive compulsive disorder is unlikely to start after the age of 30.

Obsession sufferers suffer a lot due to unwanted and disturbing thoughts that keep coming to their mind, and to control this suffering, they show repeated behaviors without talking about it. For example, a woman whose obsession with dirty hands makes her constantly annoyed from the inside, may wash her hands fifty times a day without telling her about her suffering. (practical obsession)

Obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms

So far we have understood that obsessive compulsive disorder has two types of symptoms: symptoms caused by obsessive thoughts and symptoms following practical obsessions. These symptoms are painful, they waste a lot of a person's time and may reduce his function.

The subject of obsession in people is very diverse and is associated with fear. Its most common types are as follows:

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Most people with obsessive compulsive disorder know that this fear and anxiety of theirs is not rational and they try to ignore and suppress it. Sometimes they do a repetitive behavior to get rid of it temporarily.

Practical obsession is this behavior that is constantly repeated to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession. Practical obsessions are not necessarily logically related to the roots of anxiety. Examples of practical obsession:

Washing hands or bathing a lot and constantly
Avoid shaking hands with others or touching the door handle
Continuously checking the lock or stove
Frequently counting objects and objects
Arranging things too regularly at home or at work
Eating foods in a very specific order
Repeating specific prayers continuously

Each of us may feel the need to check the door lock or wash our hands again; Anyone who does this does not necessarily have OCD. Those who have obsessions, their thought and practical obsessions are extremely stressful and too reasonable, they waste a lot of time on obsessive behavior, there is a disturbance at home, work or in their relationships, and they may even harm themselves due to the repetition of a behavior.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is unlikely to resolve itself. If we do not treat it, its symptoms may continue for years. A person suffering from obsession usually endures the symptoms for 5 to 10 years and then goes to a neurologist (psychiatrist). Note that there is no prevention for obsessive compulsive disorder.

Treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder

The most successful treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder is to use a combination of drug therapy and psychotherapy. Sometimes depression or another disease exists in a person in addition to obsessive compulsive disorder, and the treatment of that disease helps to control obsession. It is not always easy to find the ideal treatment for each person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and sometimes we have to visit the same neurologist several times and try different treatments to achieve recovery.

There are several psychotherapy techniques to help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. In the first stage, it is important for the patient to receive the necessary education about the nature of obsessions and treatments, and to get the necessary support from family, friends, and support groups.