افراد مبتلا به اختلال وسواس فکری عملی وسواس های فکری، با وسواس های عملی و یا هر دو را باهم دارند. منظور از «وسواس فکری» افکار تصاویر ذهنی و یا تمایلات ناگهانی به انجام کارها با گفتن چیزهایی است که ناراحت کننده و تکرار شونده هستند. منظور از «وسواس های عملی»، رفتارهایی است که افراد احساس می کنند باید آن را انجام دهند تا اضطراب خود را کاهش دهند یا جلوی یک رویداد ناخوشایند را بگیرند. اغلب افراد مبتلا به اختلال وسواس فکری- عملی هم از وسواس های فکری و هم از وسواس های عملی رنج می برند.
شایع ترین وسواس های فکری عبارت اند از:
* ترس از ابتلا به یک بیماری، از قبیل ایدز یا سرطان.
* ترس از دست زدن به چیزهای سمی یا آلوده، مانند مواد شوینده.
* ترس از آسیب رساندن به فردی یا کشتن کسی، اغلب شامل افراد مورد علاقه است.
* ترس از فراموش کردن انجام کاری، از قبیل: خاموش کردن اجاق گاز یا قفل کردن درب.
* ترس از انجام یک کار خجالت آور یا غیراخلاقی، مانند: به زبان آوردن عبارات و کلمات زشت.
شایع ترین وسواس های عملی یا همان آیین مندی ها عبارت اند از:
* شستشو یا آب کشی مکرر و طولانی، مانند شستشوی چندین باره دست در طول روز.
* وارسی کردن افراطی، مانند وارسی مکرر اجاق گاز برای اطمینان از خاموش بودن آن.
* اعمال تکراری، مانند همیشه ۱۶ بار کلید برق را زدن.
* احتکار یا انبار کردن چیزهای بی مصرف مانند روزنامه های قدیمی یا وسایل غیرقابل استفاده.
* قرار دادن اشیاء و وسایل براساس نظمی خاص، مانند چیدن کتاب ها در قفسه به صورت قرینه.
اغلب افراد مبتلا به اختلال وسواس فکری- عملی می دانند که ترس های آنها حداقل برخی اوقات واقع بینانه نیستند. همچنین می دانند که رفتارهای ایین مند آنها منطقی نیست. However, they cannot stop themselves.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common disease. In any 6-month period, more than 3 million people in the United States suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One out of every 40 people will suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder during their lifetime.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can cause major problems for a person. People with this disorder spend a lot of time in their ritualistic behaviors. For this reason, these people do not have enough time to take care of their family and career affairs. In addition, many people with OCD also avoid certain places with situations that make them anxious. Some of them practically stay at home. Most of the time, a person or people in the family help them to cope with their obsessive rituals and rituals.
What are the causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
The causes of this disorder have not yet been determined exactly. This disorder has an earthy aspect. The family members of these patients often suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder or other anxiety disorders. Of course, heredity is not the only reason for obsession. Learning and life pressures are also effective in getting this disorder.
How does obsessive-compulsive disorder occur?
Research results show that 90% of people have thoughts similar to the problem thoughts of obsessive people. However, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder seem to suffer from these thoughts more than normal people. In most cases, the thoughts that worry these patients are contrary to their beliefs and values; For example, a very religious person is afraid of insulting the holy things or blaspheming, or a caring mother is afraid of harming her child.
Because people with OCD suffer from their thoughts, they try to avoid them. They often try to suppress their thoughts. The problem is that the more you try not to think about something, the more you end up thinking about it. You can try: Try not to think about a pink elephant for a minute. Probably the first thing that comes to your mind is the thing that you are trying not to think about, that is the pink elephant.
When people find that they cannot avoid distressing thoughts, they try other ways to reduce their anxiety. They may perform certain behaviors, such as washing a lot or praying under their breath. These tasks usually reduce their anxiety. The only problem here is that with this method, the relief from anxiety is temporary. Soon they will have to do it again to feel better and soon it will become an obsession.
How can cognitive behavioral therapy affect obsessive-compulsive disorder?
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder are afraid that if they express their obsessive thoughts and do not do any behavior, their anxiety will increase and they will not be able to tolerate this anxiety. They are often afraid of going crazy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you to control your anxiety without resorting to practical obsessions and ritualistic behaviors. In this treatment, you will learn coping strategies such as different ways of thinking that will help you have less anxiety. You will also learn in this therapy that if you face your thoughts instead of avoiding them, they will go away. This may be hard to believe, but it is true. The therapist helps you gradually face the things you fear until you gain the confidence that you can control your fears and anxieties without resorting to practical obsessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder usually takes about 20 sessions. People with severe symptoms may need longer treatment.
How effective is cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Researches conducted in this field show that more than 80% of obsessive-compulsive patients who have continued their cognitive behavioral therapy until the end have achieved moderate to high recovery. Sometimes it happens that people have obsessive thoughts or obsessive tendencies even after the end of the treatment. However, patients feel much more in control and are able to enjoy their lives. Researches also show that the good feeling of people continues even after the end of the treatment.
Can drug treatment be effective?
Drugs that have the greatest effect on obsessive-compulsive disorder increase the level of serotonin in the brain. Be sure that your doctor or psychiatrist prescribes a useful medicine for you. Research results have shown that 50-60% of patients recover with such drugs. Of course, most patients find that their symptoms recur when the drug is stopped. For this reason, it is always better to use cognitive behavioral therapy along with drug therapy. For some patients, the combination of medication and psychotherapy brings the best results.
What is expected from you as a patient?
It is common to feel anxious at the start of treatment and to doubt whether treatment will help you. If you have this condition, the best thing to do is to experience the treatment we offer, which is cognitive behavioral therapy. The therapist will offer you new ways to face the obsession and help you face the things that lead to your fear and worry. You will be asked to practice these learned skills in between sessions. If you do the exercises provided by the therapist and complete the treatment, your chances of recovery will be very high.
