Do not part with an antiseptic for hands? Is your wardrobe literally laid out on shelves? Such habits can be a reflection of a person’s character or belief. Sometimes they cross an invisible face and turn into obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Consider the main causes of their appearance and the treatment methods offered by doctors.
Disease Description
OCD is a mental disorder that affects a person’s quality of life. Experts attribute it to neuroses of obsessive states, as well as phobias. If the latter include only obsessions, then compulsions are added to the OCD.
The name of the disease comes from two English words: obsessio and compulsio. The first means "obsession with the idea," and the second can be interpreted as "coercion." These two words were chosen successfully, capaciously, because they reflect the whole essence of the disease. People with OCD are considered disabled in some countries. Most of them spend a lot of time pointless because of compulsions. Discussions are often expressed by obsessive thoughts and phobias, which also negatively affects the patient's quality of life.
How does the disease begin?
According to medical statistics, obsessive-compulsive disorder is formed in the interval from 10 to 30 years. Regardless of when the first symptoms appeared, patients consult a doctor between 27 and 35 years old. This means that from the moment the disease develops and before treatment begins, several years pass. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder affects every third adult. Among patients, young children are much fewer. This diagnosis is confirmed in every second child out of 500.
At the initial stage, the symptoms of the disease appear in the form of obsessive states and various phobias. During this period, a person can still be aware of their irrationality. Over time, in the absence of medical and psychological assistance, the disorder worsens. The patient loses the ability to adequately assess their concerns. In advanced cases, treatment implies hospitalization with the use of serious medications.
Main reasons
Scientists still can not list the main factors contributing to the occurrence of mental illness. However, there are a large number of theories. According to one of them, among biological factors, obsessive-compulsive disorder causes the following:
- metabolic disorder;
- head injuries and injuries;
- hereditary predisposition;
- complicated course of infectious ailments;
- deviations at the level of the autonomic nervous system.
In a separate group, doctors suggest introducing social and social causes of the disorder. Among them, the following are most often found:
- education in a strict religious family;
- difficult relationships at work;
- frequent stresses.
The panic fear inherent in this mental illness can be based on personal experience or imposed by society. A striking example of the consequences of such a disorder is viewing criminal news. A person is trying to overcome emerging fears with actions that convince him otherwise. He can check the closed car several times or recount banknotes from the bank. Such actions bring only short-term relief. It’s unlikely that you can get rid of obsessive ideas yourself. In this case, specialist assistance is required. Otherwise, the disease will completely absorb the human psyche.
This disease affects both adults and children. However, children are less likely to suffer from its manifestations. Symptoms of the disorder may vary depending on the age of the patient.
How does the disease manifest in adults?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, the symptoms of which will be presented below, in all adults has approximately the same clinical picture. First of all, the disease manifests itself in the form of obsessive painful thoughts. These may be fantasies about sexual violence or death. A person is constantly haunted by the idea of an imminent death, loss of financial well-being. Such thoughts terrify the patient with OCD. He clearly understands their groundlessness. However, he cannot independently cope with fears and superstitions that all his fantasies will come true one day.
The disorder also has external symptoms, which are expressed in the form of repeated movements. For example, such a person can constantly count the steps, walk several times a day to wash his hands. Manifestations of the disease are often noted by colleagues and colleagues. People with OCD have a perfect order on the table, with all items arranged symmetrically. Books on the shelves are either alphabetically or in colors.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by the characteristic of growing in crowded places. In a patient, even in a crowd, panic attacks may intensify. Most often they are caused by a fear of catching a dangerous virus or losing personal items, becoming another victim of pickpockets. Therefore, such people tend to avoid public places.
Sometimes the syndrome is accompanied by a decrease in self-esteem. OCD is a disorder to which dubious personalities are particularly susceptible. They have the habit of controlling everything, from work at work to the ration of pets. A decrease in self-esteem occurs due to the awareness of the changes that are taking place and the inability to deal with them.
Symptoms in children
OCD is less common in young patients than in adults. Symptoms of the disorder have a lot in common. Let's look at a few examples.
- Even enough adult children are often haunted by the fear of being lost among a large number of people on the street. He makes the guys hold their parents tightly in their hands, periodically check if their fingers are firmly attached.
- Older brothers and sisters scare many kids by sending them to an orphanage. Fear of being in this institution makes the child constantly ask if his parents love him.
- Almost all of us have lost personal things at least once in our lives. However, not everyone experiences about this pass without a trace. Panic over a lost notebook often leads to a manic recount of school supplies. Teenagers can even wake up at night to recheck all personal items.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children is often accompanied by poor mood, gloom, and increased tearfulness. Some lose their appetite, while others suffer terrible nightmares at night. If within a few weeks all the attempts of the parents to help the child are unsuccessful, you need to consult a child psychologist.
Diagnostic Methods
When symptoms suggest an alarming obsessive-compulsive disorder, you should seek the help of a mental health professional. Often people with OCD are unaware of their problems. In this case, close relatives or friends should be extremely careful about this diagnosis. This disease in itself does not go away.
His diagnosis can only be done by a psychiatrist who has the appropriate qualifications and experience in this field. Usually, a doctor pays attention to three things:
- A person has pronounced obsessive obsessions.
- There is compulsive behavior that he wants to hide in any way.
- OCD interferes with the usual rhythm of life, communication with friends and work.
Symptoms of the disease, in order to have medical significance, must be repeated at least 50% of the days within two weeks.
There are special rating scales (for example, Yale-Brown) to determine the severity of OCD. They are also used in practice to track the dynamics of the therapy.
Based on the tests performed and conversations with the patient, the doctor can confirm the final diagnosis. Usually at the consultation, psychotherapists explain what constitutes and what manifestations the obsessive-compulsive disorder has. Examples of patients with this ailment from show business help to understand that the disease is not so dangerous, you need to fight it. Also at the consultation, the doctor talks about treatment tactics when to expect the first positive results.
Can a person help himself?
OCD is a fairly common pathology. It can periodically occur in any person, including a completely healthy mentally. It is very important to be able to recognize the first symptoms of the disorder and seek qualified help. If this is not possible, you should try to analyze the problem and choose a specific tactic to combat it. Doctors offer several options for self-treatment.
Step 1. Examine what constitutes an obsessive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is described in detail in the specialized literature. Therefore, anyone can easily find out its main causes and signs. After examining the information, it is necessary to write out all the symptoms that have recently caused concern. Opposite each disorder, you need to leave room for a detailed plan on how to overcome it.
Step 2. Third-party assistance. If OCD is suspected, it is better to contact a qualified specialist. Sometimes the first visit to the doctor causes difficulties. In such a situation, you can ask a friend or relative to confirm the previously written symptoms or add others.
Step 3. Look into your fears. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder usually realize that all fears are fiction. Each time there is a desire to double-check a locked door or wash your hands, you need to remind yourself of this fact.
Step 4. Reward yourself. Psychologists advise constantly marking steps on the path to success, even the most insignificant. You need to praise yourself for your changes and skills.
These recommendations most often help in the initial stages of the development of the disorder.
Methods of psychotherapy
OCD is not a sentence. The disorder responds well to treatment with psychotherapeutic sessions. Modern psychology offers several effective techniques. Let's consider each of them in more detail.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. The authorship of this technique belongs to Jeffrey Schwartz. Its essence is reduced to resistance to a neurosis. A person first realizes the presence of a disorder, and then gradually tries to deal with it. Therapy involves the acquisition of skills to independently stop the obsession.
- Methodology “Stopping thoughts.” It was developed by Joseph Volpe. The therapist has proposed treatment based on an assessment of the situation by the patient. For this, Volpe recommends that a person recall one of the recent attacks of the disorder. Using leading questions, he helps the patient assess the significance of the manifestation of the symptoms and their impact on everyday life. The therapist gradually brings to the realization of the unreality of fears. This technique allows you to completely overcome the disorder.
The above therapeutic techniques are not unique. However, they are considered the most effective.
Drug treatment
In advanced cases of the syndrome of obsessive conditions, medication is required. How to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in this case? The main drugs to combat the disease are serotonin reuptake inhibitors:
- "Fluvoxamine."
- Tricyclic antidepressants.
- "Paroxetine."
Scientists from around the world continue to actively study obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). Relatively recently, they have been able to discover therapeutic possibilities in agents that are responsible for the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate. They can significantly mitigate the manifestations of neurosis, but do not help get rid of the problem forever. The following drugs are suitable for this description: Memantine (Riluzole), Lamotrigine (Gabapentin).
The well-known antidepressants in this disorder are used only as symptomatic treatment. With their help, you can eliminate the neurosis and stress stress that arise against the background of obsessive conditions.
It is worth noting that the medicines listed in the article are dispensed from pharmacies only by prescription. The choice of a specific medication for treatment is carried out by the doctor, taking into account the patient's condition. Not the last role in this matter is the duration of the syndrome. Therefore, the doctor should know how long has obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Home treatment
OCD belongs to the group of mental illnesses. Therefore, it is unlikely to cure the disorder without third-party support. However, therapy with folk remedies always helps to calm down. To this end, healers are advised to prepare decoctions on herbs with sedative properties. These include the following plants: lemon balm, motherwort, valerian.
The method of breathing exercises cannot be considered folk, but it can be successfully used at home. For such treatment, a prescription or third-party support of specialists is not required. Therapy with the help of changes in respiratory strength allows you to restore the emotional state. As a result, a person can soberly evaluate everything that happens in his life.
Rehabilitation
After the course of treatment, the patient needs social rehabilitation. Only in case of successful adaptation in society, the symptoms of the disorder will not return again. Supportive therapeutic measures are aimed at training in productive contact with society, relatives. At the rehabilitation stage, assistance from relatives and friends is of paramount importance.