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Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions or compulsions or both. Any pervasive, unwanted, repetitive thought, image or impulse that creates a feeling of distress that is difficult to control and can become an obsession.
The causes...
The origins of obsessive-compulsive disorder are unknown. They are linked to multiple factors: genetic, neurophysiological, psychological or even immune.
For the genetic part, a study shows that there are 8 times more psychiatric disorders in the close family of a person suffering from OCD than in the general population. Studies of twins show that if one of the twins has OCD, the other has a higher risk of developing it.
Certain brain neurotransmitters, including serotonin, are singled out. Serotonin is a substance that ensures the passage of the nervous message between neurons (at the synapses). In case of OCD, the amount of serotonin would be insufficient. Substance no longer plays its role, information circulates less well. It goes in circles, and comes back meaningless.
Symptoms
The most common obsessions focus on fear of filth and contamination, doubts about one's actions or conversations, fear of repugnant sexual act or violent act against others, exact accomplishment or maintaining rigid routines, or guilt for a sin that one may have committed or sacrilegious (blasphemous) ideas that one may have had.
Most people with obsessions perform compulsive rituals to ease their anxiety or prevent dreaded consequences. Common compulsions include washing your hands, checking gestures, reciting certain phrases, accumulating objects or repeating certain acts. Compulsions are fairly repetitive and result in mental responses or rigid behaviors that the person first tries to resist; however, she will eventually bow to it because of the strong impulse that drives her to perform the ritual.
Treatments
There are currently three approaches to the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder that have proven effective in research to relieve obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
The first one involves the use of medication.
The second One approach that has proven effective for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder is a form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It includes weekly one-hour sessions, continued for 15 to 20 weeks and led by a qualified therapist. During these sessions, the person is systematically exposed to the object of his obsessive fear and he learns to endure the anxiety aroused without performing the usual ritual. Exposure to haunting fear is gradual. The subject should also do exercises at home between sessions.
The third solution , is to work with the plasticity of the brain. The person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder must learn to play down his concerns and reduce his efforts to control obsessive thoughts. The goal of treatment is to teach the person with OCD to recognize their obsessions so that they can deal with them in a healthier and more appropriate way.
Complications
Untreated, obsessive-compulsive disorder can be more and more serious and therefore more and more disabling. They may prevent the person affected from living normally. Some people develop alcohol dependence or go into depression. Finally, the passage to the suicidal act is relatively frequent in these people. This risk must be subject to special monitoring. OCD should be diagnosed and treated.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions or compulsions or both. Any pervasive, unwanted, repetitive thought, image or impulse that creates a feeling of distress that is difficult to control and can become an obsession.
The causes...
The origins of obsessive-compulsive disorder are unknown. They are linked to multiple factors: genetic, neurophysiological, psychological or even immune.
For the genetic part, a study shows that there are 8 times more psychiatric disorders in the close family of a person suffering from OCD than in the general population. Studies of twins show that if one of the twins has OCD, the other has a higher risk of developing it.
Certain brain neurotransmitters, including serotonin, are singled out. Serotonin is a substance that ensures the passage of the nervous message between neurons (at the synapses). In case of OCD, the amount of serotonin would be insufficient. Substance no longer plays its role, information circulates less well. It goes in circles, and comes back meaningless.
Symptoms
The most common obsessions focus on fear of filth and contamination, doubts about one's actions or conversations, fear of repugnant sexual act or violent act against others, exact accomplishment or maintaining rigid routines, or guilt for a sin that one may have committed or sacrilegious (blasphemous) ideas that one may have had.
Most people with obsessions perform compulsive rituals to ease their anxiety or prevent dreaded consequences. Common compulsions include washing your hands, checking gestures, reciting certain phrases, accumulating objects or repeating certain acts. Compulsions are fairly repetitive and result in mental responses or rigid behaviors that the person first tries to resist; however, she will eventually bow to it because of the strong impulse that drives her to perform the ritual.
Treatments
There are currently three approaches to the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder that have proven effective in research to relieve obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
The first one involves the use of medication.
The second One approach that has proven effective for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder is a form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It includes weekly one-hour sessions, continued for 15 to 20 weeks and led by a qualified therapist. During these sessions, the person is systematically exposed to the object of his obsessive fear and he learns to endure the anxiety aroused without performing the usual ritual. Exposure to haunting fear is gradual. The subject should also do exercises at home between sessions.
The third solution , is to work with the plasticity of the brain. The person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder must learn to play down his concerns and reduce his efforts to control obsessive thoughts. The goal of treatment is to teach the person with OCD to recognize their obsessions so that they can deal with them in a healthier and more appropriate way.
Complications
Untreated, obsessive-compulsive disorder can be more and more serious and therefore more and more disabling. They may prevent the person affected from living normally. Some people develop alcohol dependence or go into depression. Finally, the passage to the suicidal act is relatively frequent in these people. This risk must be subject to special monitoring. OCD should be diagnosed and treated.