Neurosis of obsessive states - a complex of abnormal conditions of a person, which manifests itself in increased irritability, sleep disturbance, fatigue, difficulty concentrating. The patient is characterized by burdened thoughts, fear, fear, anxiety, repetitive actions to reduce this anxiety, as well as combinations of obsessive mania and ideas. Pathology belongs to the category of psychopathological syndromes, it is considered borderline psycho-disorder. Symptoms are largely similar to OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), but doctors pay attention: the severity of the manifestations is not yet an occasion for diagnosing a psychotic disorder.
general information
There are known cases in medicine when a neurosis of obsessive states manifested itself only once in a person, but there are also such subjects in which episodes are repeated. NNS may be chronic or progress rapidly. Neurotic pathology manifests itself as obsessive thoughts (obsessions), constantly repeated ritual movements (compulsions). The patient himself perceives obsession as something irrational, alien, it seems to him an absurdity.
Discussions are formed uncontrollably, thoughts are obsessive, do not obey the will of a person, burden and interfere, disturb or give rise to a sense of threat. It can be images and drives, assumptions, ideas. A person makes attempts to resist, but success cannot be achieved, obsessions return, subjugating the patient to himself.
With a neurosis of obsessive states, the patient is characterized by compulsions. This is a syndrome that is periodically, at arbitrary intervals, arising obsessive behavior. Actions that, as a person feels, he is forced to perform. These can be numerous checks, as well as measures to protect yourself from a possible problem. Often, acts become ritual, and the object itself believes that through such behavior warns events. If you objectively assess the situation, it becomes clear that the likelihood of the implementation of fears is extremely small.
Specific features
From medical practice it is known that the neurosis of obsessive states begins clearly, as a variety of psychogenic factors act as provocateurs. In most patients, the condition was observed against the background of traumatic psyche situations. It is not difficult to determine the pathology, and to diagnose it too. The development of the disease in the predominant percentage of cases proceeds in accordance with the forecast, ends with a successful recovery.
The information currently accumulated about the NNS is contradictory; it is not possible to obtain accurate information. From statistics it is known that, in comparison with hysterical neurosis, neurasthenia, neurosis of obsessive states is fixed with a much lower frequency. In our country, according to doctors, about 3% of the population suffer from NNS.
The debut of the disease more often occurs at a young age: objects from 25 to 35 years old are considered the most susceptible to NNS. It is equally both men and women. Social status, material security - all this cannot serve as protection against the disease. Neurosis of obsessive states, as shown by specific studies, is somewhat less likely to bother those who have graduated. It is believed that the NNS with a relatively low frequency manifests itself in people with an active position in life, as well as those who work in prestigious jobs. At the same time, statistics inexorably shows: mainly people suffering from NNS have a high level of intelligence. Some doctors consider (and pay special attention to this in reviews devoted to different treatment methods): neurosis of obsessive states is much more often diagnosed in single patients, which should be taken into account when choosing psychotherapeutic methods.
Origin of the problem
For the first time, NNS is more often observed following the results of the influence of stress factors on a person. As a rule, this is a situation perceived by the individual as creating serious difficulties, currently insurmountable. The circumstances surrounding the NNS are somewhat different in different medical theories.
It is believed that one of the causes of obsessive neurosis is a genetic factor. Mutations, defectiveness of the gene of the seventeenth chromosome is one of the aspects that can provoke NNS, since such a change leads to incorrect movement of serotonin. The risk group of the NNS includes people whose family history contains references to:
- OCD;
- alcohol abuse;
- psychoses;
- affective states;
- anancaste psychopathy.
The fact of transmission of propensity to anxiety by inheritance is confirmed by many studies devoted to this issue.
Another theory that tells where the neurosis of obsessive states comes from (expert reviews confirm that it is applicable in practice and well explains a certain percentage of cases), involves an analysis of the physiology of the patient, namely his nervous system. From birth, individual features and properties are possible that favor the NNS, because they are subject to temperament, and hence the constitutional type. NNS is much more often recorded in individuals of the anancastic constitution. Patients belonging to the so-called stuck personality type are subject to such a borderline state . The procedures of excitation, inhibition are labile, which is explained by the activity of the nervous system, its individual characteristics; they lead to the NNS.
Causes and consequences of NNS
Most often, neurosis of obsessive states is diagnosed in children, adolescents, and anancaste-type adults. These are pedantic people who find it extremely difficult to get rid of constantly tormenting doubts. Against the background of such thoughts, fear develops, a tendency appears even in small things to see signs of an approaching disaster. Persons of the anancaste type tend to repeatedly check everything perfect. Despite the awareness of the irrationality of such a habit, getting rid of it is extremely difficult. If a person resorts to willpower, restraining impulses to ritual actions, suppresses his own attempts of repeated testing, he becomes a victim of anxiety. It is almost impossible to drive doubts out of my head.
Some researchers are of the opinion that the mechanism of the start of the NNS is explained by biological chemistry, processes taking place in the brain. Presumably, in the orbital-frontal area of the cerebral cortex, a metabolic process involving neurotransmitters fails. The problem affects the functioning of the stead bodies. Neurotransmitters are actively captured in the process of reverse interaction, which leads to the loss of information that neurons transmit.
Finally, the latest popular version, explaining why treatment for neurosis of obsessive conditions is needed, speaks of the connection between the NNS and PANDAS syndrome. This complex of symptoms is provoked by streptococci. Immunity in an attempt to neutralize an infectious agent harms the body's own tissues. At the same time, elements of the basal ganglion suffer, which becomes the starting factor for the borderline state.
Development mechanism
Of particular interest in this aspect are the works of Pavlov, who suggested that a brain center of excitation is formed, which is characterized by increased activity of structures responsible for inhibition (synapses, neurons). Despite a certain similarity of the mechanism to the occurrence of delirium, other foci are not inhibited here, therefore a person is able to think critically, but only by effort of will it is impossible to eliminate the element's activity, and impulses formed by other irritating factors do not help either. The patient is defenseless against obsessions.
Continuing the study of the issue, Pavlov formulated the following conclusion: thoughts are provoked by inhibition processes in pathological excited brain foci. Ideas depend on the characteristics of upbringing, character, personality of the patient. So, if a person grew up in a religious environment, he will have characteristic heretical thoughts, and for those who are inherent in high moral principles, fantasies associated with sexual acts become haunting.
Pavlov noted that mostly sick patients are characterized by sluggish nervous processes, due to increased tension of the brain inhibition mechanisms. A picture close to this appears in people with depression. This explains why, in the case of NNS, it is very often depression that becomes a concomitant deviation.
Symptoms
Treatment of a neurosis of obsessive states is necessary if the subject is disturbed by compulsions, obsessions. Both of these phenomena do not allow the individual to function qualitatively in the environment of other people. Obsessive states can be very different, but in medicine the classification into groups is accepted, which allows to describe almost all known cases:
- abnormal doubts;
- contrasting obsessions;
- compulsions;
- irrational concept of pollution.
Abnormal doubts
Obsessive thoughts that force a person to doubt are not subordinate to logic, but it is almost impossible to get rid of them under the NNS. It seems to the object that soon some dangerous, negative, catastrophic phenomenon is possible, which must be prevented by applying all forces to this. Treatment of a neurosis of obsessive states is necessary if only because people often make attempts to prevent events whose probability of occurrence is extremely low, committing unjustified actions for the sake of it, sometimes even harming themselves.
The object of the NNS may doubt the completeness of some action that is objectively carried out, in making a decision that actually took place. The traditional, everyday actions that accompany every modern person can cause an obsessive state - they are haunted by thoughts about open windows, open water taps, unlocked doors, unlit lights. Doubts can be haunted in the professional field: whether the work was done correctly, whether it was completed, whether reports were compiled, dismantled, or if documentation was sent.
If a neurosis of obsessive states in a teenager, an adult manifests itself in this form, and a fact that can be verified is doubtful, then double-checks follow repeatedly, extremely exhausting the person. Compulsions come to an end when a person suddenly (usually unpredictably) feels the completion of a painful process for him. If it is not possible to control whether the action is completed, the person reproduces the whole sequence of events step by step in the head. Concerns related to the situation are tormenting, but getting rid of thoughts is not possible.
Contrasting Obsessions
Psychotherapy is necessary for neurosis of obsessive states, if a person constantly catches himself with thoughts:
- immoral;
- indecent;
- immoral;
- rated as sacrilege.
Help is needed if cynicism dominates thinking.
Perhaps the desire for licentious behavior, completely inappropriate in a particular situation. Many patients express obscenity, threaten others, or irony.
Deviant ideas related to religion are possible. Obsessive thoughts concentrate more often on images associated with sexual intercourse, it is possible to strive to commit such in an unnatural way. A person subject to such thoughts perfectly understands the absurdity of ideas, but thinking is subordinate to them; it is not possible to independently cope with experiences.
Pollution ideas
A fairly common manifestation of the NNS is a feeling of dirt in the surrounding space, a pathological desire for cleanliness. When visiting a doctor, some objects admit that they constantly feel themselves dirty with sewage, dust. Obsessive phobias of toxic compounds entering the body are possible.
Some patients doubt the cleanliness of their homes, others find their own bodies dirty, others are concerned about the state of things. Ritual compulsions are designed to prevent contact with objects from which the threat emanates.
Compulsions
The behavior he submits to is usually noticeable even to a person who does not have specific knowledge of human psychology: the NNS object performs actions cyclically, repeating a sequence of movements many times. From the side, the actions seem completely pointless, often the patient himself is aware of their irrationality, but it is not possible to stop such behavior only by an effort of will. The following common compulsions are known from medical practice:
- manipulations explained by superstitions, which in some way should protect;
- stereotypical actions (smacking, patting);
- prolonged, thorough performance of everyday rituals (washing, dressing);
- extremely thorough hygiene procedures (the patient can wash his hands several times an hour, explaining this by their contamination);
- desire to double-check the number of counted objects;
- the accumulation of unsuitable things, turning into pathology.
Physical manifestations
Since the autonomic nervous system suffers with NNS, the pathological condition manifests itself:
- sleep disturbances;
- dizziness
- pressure surges;
- pain in the region of the heart, a sore head;
- impaired appetite;
- problems of the functioning of the digestive tract;
- decrease in sexual activity.
What to do?
Perhaps the most pressing issue of modern psychotherapy related to the neurosis of obsessive states is “How to cure it?”. The modern approach is a comprehensive impact on the patient. Therapy in this case includes:
- psychotherapeutic practices;
- medical course.
The center of the therapeutic program is drugs, usually tablets. For the treatment of neurosis of obsessive conditions, apply:
- drugs that strengthen the nervous system;
- antidepressants;
- anti-panic medications.
If the case is severe, it is necessary to combine drugs of all these groups. If the patient's condition is assessed as mild or moderate, the doctor selects a program based on individual characteristics and deviations.
Medicines: names and effects
The doctor, at the reception telling how to get rid of the neurosis of obsessive states, usually offers a course of tranquilizers. Such funds are taken independently for a month, following which they check how much the patient's anxiety has changed. More often resort to drugs of the benzodiazepine group based on alprazolam.
Among the psychotropic, tricyclic antidepressants are most effective. Choosing how to treat a neurosis of obsessive states, the doctor can prescribe medications for clomipramine. Means of other groups based on:
Understanding how to treat a neurosis of obsessive states in the form of a chronicle, you can resort to atypical antipsychotic drugs. Quetiapine antipsychotic has a fairly good reputation.
By writing out a program and telling how to cope with severe neurosis of obsessive states, the doctor can recommend normotimics based on valproic acid.
The choice of drugs occurs only after summing up the results of laboratory studies of biological samples obtained from the patient, as well as collecting an anamnesis. You need to understand: the treatment of neurosis of obsessive states in children and adults differs quite strongly, different approaches are required for different degrees of severity, a lot depends on the specifics of the case, individual characteristics, background diseases, mental disorders. The doctor evaluates how useful a certain remedy will be, calculates the risks associated with its use and notifies the patient of the possible negative consequences of treatment. Wrong selection of funds, poorly selected dosage can lead to a significant deterioration.
Psychotherapy
The best results are achieved by cognitive-behavioral techniques. During the session, the individual understands what the deviation is, step by step masters the methods of resistance to obsessive thoughts. There is an opportunity to distinguish between normal acts, real dangers and abnormal actions caused by NNS.
Interacting with a psychotherapist, a person masters the methods of resistance to the manifestations of the NNS, less painful, more comfortable than a simple attempt to restrain the willpower. The ability to formulate constructive behavior from an obsession appears. Ritual procedures that have become everyday habits, with the help of a psychotherapist, the efforts of the patient become easier, change, and in the best case, completely eliminated.
Good results are shown by the technique of “exposure, reaction prevention” (EPR). The technique consists in placing the individual in an artificial setting that matches the obsessive thoughts that haunt the person. The doctor, in control of the situation, gives instructions to help the patient prevent the execution of the ritual sequence. By strictly following the doctor’s advice, the patient prevents the formation of a reaction. This affects the condition as a whole, making the symptoms of the NNS less pronounced.
The correct approach and the thoroughness of its application can improve the position of the object, receive remission, consolidate this state for a long time.
How to help yourself?
Treatment of neurosis of obsessive states at home is not the easiest and most promising task. Several methods are known that can complement the psychotherapy program and medication developed by the doctor, but only home remedies rarely show a truly persistent, pronounced result. However, if it is impossible to contact a qualified doctor, you should practice such approaches - this is better than the complete absence of any measures. Recommended:
- warm baths with soothing herbs (during the procedure, gradually lower the temperature of the water);
- morning contrast shower;
- a clear mode of rest and work;
- high-grade night rest;
- eight hour sleep;
- daily physical activity, preferably in the fresh air;
- the exclusion of destabilizing nervous system products from the diet;
- rejection of bad habits;
- drawing up the daily routine and following it;
- allocation of time for entertainment daily;
- the practice of muscle relaxation exercises;
- prevention of stress factors that can injure the psyche.
Comprehensive medication, psychotherapeutic treatment of neurosis of obsessive states, at home accompanied by additional measures to relax and restore the nervous system, in most cases shows a stable, stable result. It is possible to completely eliminate the manifestations of the NNS. The pathology is characterized by a persistent course, but the thoughtfulness and consistency of the treatment course is guaranteed to lead to success, although sometimes it takes quite a long time - you need to be prepared for this.
Some features
As follows from medical statistics, NNS practically does not occur in preterm children and younger. Studies have shown that, on average, 7-8 years elapse between the first manifestations of a borderline disorder and seeking medical help.
Do not confuse the normal fears inherent in all people with the NNS. From time to time, every person is faced with a fear of heights or darkness, someone is afraid of animals, others - to get sick. Almost every time in my life I was worried about the (possibly) left on iron. Leaving home, people usually control small household aspects: wrapped taps, turned off lights. After checking and establishing that everything is in order, the person calms down and without fear goes about his business. A distinctive feature of the NNS is the need for multiple checks, as a result of which the fear of a mistake can still remain.
Risk group
It is known that to a greater extent the NNS is susceptible to people who believe in magic, supernatural. Strong shocks, chronic stress, repeated traumatic situations of the psyche, internal and external conflicts can provoke a neurosis. With a greater degree of probability, NNS can occur against the background of physical, mental overwork.
Features of self-perception can play a role:
- self-doubt;
- self-esteem too low.
Many individuals who sought the help of a doctor admitted that they did not believe in their ability to cope with the simplest tasks - for example, wash their hands thoroughly.
The risk of NNS is higher for people who have been instilled with passion by upbringing, the desire for cleanliness and the flawless fulfillment of any task. Religious education can also play a role. If a person has suffered an unpleasant life situation, the formation of an inadequate response initiating a neurosis is possible.
It is known that in some individuals, the NNS developed against the background of a weak form of cerebral insufficiency, due to which a person lost the ability to distinguish between trifles and important things.
The occurrence of NNS on the background of extrapyramidal symptoms is possible:
- stiffness of movements;
- violation of wrist movements;
- increased muscle tone;
- complexity of turns.
Sometimes NNS provoke:
- burns;
- infectious diseases;
- diseases that caused general poisoning of the body.
Toxins negatively affect the central nervous system, disrupting its work.
Auxiliary therapeutic methods
As already mentioned, getting rid of the neurosis of obsessive states on your own is very difficult, almost impossible. But if you use alternative methods as an auxiliary, additional therapy, you can count on a positive result. In this case, it is worth considering herbal remedies. Compounds, fees with medicinal plants help calm down, relieve symptoms.
In the daytime, St. John's wort-based products are recommended - they have a tonic effect, but are soft enough, which is especially important for an unstable borderline state. Under the influence of St. John's wort manifestations of depression are facilitated.
Doctors, explaining how to get rid of the neurosis of obsessive states on their own , recommend that patients suffering from such disorders in the evenings use herbal preparations with hypnotic effect. Useful:
- valerian;
- motherwort;
- Melissa.
In the pharmacy you can buy infusions of these herbs, pills, as well as fees for the preparation of herbal drinks - they contain several effective components.
Acupressure will be helpful. You can practice it yourself, but you should first visit a doctor who can explain the correct sequence of actions. Massage individual points on the skull and at its base.
Psychotherapists recommend that people suffering from NNS, first of all, recognize and accept this feature of their condition, while not hanging the label of a mentally ill person who is supposedly dangerous to others. Neuroses are states characteristic of the nervous system, but they do not impair the ability to think. In addition, modern techniques can successfully cope with them, the main thing is to persistently and methodically seek recovery.