Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Sufferers of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have displeasing, recurrent thoughts (obsessions) and use daily rituals (compulsions). They try to control the anxiety these obsessions produce, however, the daily rituals, as usual, control them.
Signs and Symptoms of OCD
There are common signs and symptoms of OCD. For example, if people are afraid of contamination, they may evolve a compulsion of washing their hands continually. If they evolve an obsession with intruders, they possibly will check their doors oftentimes before going to bed. Having fear of social embarrassment possibly will prompt people to comb their hair spontaneously in front of a mirror. Performing such daily rituals (compulsions) is not pleasant and at most, it gives short-term relief from the anxiety disorder created by obsessions.
There is a list of common daily rituals (compulsions): repeatedly check things, touch things (in a particular sequence), counting things, tapping, having frequent thoughts of harming loved ones, constantly thinking about doing sexual actions the person dislikes, having thoughts that are triggered by religious fear, ordering, accumulating unneeded items.
Identification
It must be noticed the healthy people also have compulsive behaviors. For example, before leaving the house they check oftentimes whether the stove is off or not. The difference is that sufferers of OCD complete their compulsive behaviors albeit doing so they find the repetition distressing. In fact, sufferers of OCD identify that compulsive behaviors are senseless. Nevertheless, people and most children may not understand that their behavior is abnormal.
Research
According to expert opinion, 2.2 million American adults suffer of OCD, men and women equally. The OCD can be associated with other anxiety disorders such as eating disorders or depression. As usual, it appears in childhood or early twenties. One third of adults develop symptoms of OCD as children. Research shows that OCD is inherited sometimes; as a result, it occasionally runs in families.
The course of disease
The course of the OCD is quite differentiated. Symptoms of OCD may come and go with time, relieve or get worse over time. If OCD increases, it can cause some problems for a person. It makes impossible for a person to work regularly or to participate in family life. Sufferers of OCD may try to avoid situations that cause their obsessions, or they drink alcohol or take drugs to relax themselves.
Treatment
There are certain types of medications and-or therapies to treat OCD. There is a psychotherapy based on exposure, in which people stay in situations that cause fear or anxiety, as a result they become desensitized (less sensitive) to them. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) support research of new ways of treatment OCD. These ways will be productive in cases when OCD does not react well to the regular therapies. These approaches consist of combination and intensification (add-on) treatments just as contemporary techniques such as DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation).
