What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? 5 Keys to Define (OCD)

Obesive-compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD, is a mental disorder characterized by the presence of distressing thoughts (obsessions) and recurrent and stereotyped behaviors (compulsions) persistently over time, causing anxiety and deterioration of daily life.

Although the person is aware that their obsessions are irrational, they cannot control them. You generally try to suppress or alleviate them through compulsions. If the patient tries not to carry out these obsessive rituals, he may suffer enormous anxiety and suffering.

5 Keys That Define Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder cannot carry out their daily activities in a normal way. Knowing the 5 keys that define obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) makes it easier to understand this psychiatric problem that causes serious, even disabling, consequences.

1. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder. A neurological problem that can lead to serious disability. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies OCD among the five most common pathologies.
2. It equally affects men and women of all ages, including children and adolescents. The prevalence is estimated at 0.8 percent in adults and 0.25 percent in children and adolescents.
3. Although OCD have similar symptoms, they should not be confused with phobias, manias or rituals that can be common in many people, but that do not cause serious problems as it does with obsessive compulsive disorders.
4. Currently obsessive-compulsive disorder can be treated. There are mainly two alternatives: pharmacological treatment or behavioral therapy. Depending on the patient and the case, only one of them can be used, or both in combination.
5. In addition, there is great scientific activity related to OCD, which makes us optimistic about the discovery of triggers, such as new effective drugs in its treatment.
6. People who suffer from OCD are usually aware of their disorder and suffer with shame and even more overwhelm the symptoms of their problem.

This can very negatively affect your social and family relationships. Experts assure that the best way to help a person with OCD is to recommend that they go to a specialist doctor who assesses the situation and recommends treatment. These types of consultations are included in health insurance within specialized care.

You can hire specialist of psychologist Melbourne who are experts with services anxiety, online therapy, family and career counseling, anger management, grief counseling, marriage counseling, social anxiety, Ocd, as well experts in depression counselling.

As is evident in these 5 keys to knowing obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is a relatively frequent problem and with serious personal and social consequences; However, seeking professional help and opting for both pharmacological and therapeutic treatments can greatly improve the difficulties of suffering from OCD.

There are several types of OCD:

• Washers and cleaners: Need to wash constantly for fear of contamination.
• Verifiers: They obsessively inspect things to prevent a certain catastrophe from happening.
• Repeaters: Perform repetitive actions.
• Computers: Things in the environment have to be arranged according to certain rigid guidelines, including symmetric distributions
• Accumulators: Need to collect insignificant objects, which the affected person cannot get rid of.
• Mental ritualizers: repetitive thoughts or images with the aim of counteracting the anxiety provoking ideas or images those constitute obsessions.
• Pure haunted and obsessive: The person experiences negative thoughts repeatedly.
• Sexual: Recurring sexual thoughts.

What Symptoms Does It Present?

The symptoms are classified into obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions:

• Fear of contamination
• Fear of causing harm to other people
• Conscientiousness
• Need for symmetry
• Need to say or confess

Compulsions:

• Wash continuously
• Repeat an action until “good”
• Count objects or to a specified number
• Make sure you have closed the door, the water, etc.
• Causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder or why it occurs

The exact cause of this disorder is unknown. However, there are certain factors that can influence it such as: head injuries, infections and abnormal functioning in certain areas of the brain. Genetics, that is, family history, also plays an important role.

Can It Be Prevented?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder cannot be prevented; what can be done is to stop the disease thanks to proper diagnosis and treatment.

What Does The Treatment Consist Of?

Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder is a combination of drug treatment and behavioral therapy. Drug treatment includes antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. As for behavioral therapy, it has been shown to be effective for this disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic disease with periods of severe symptoms followed by periods of improvement. A completely symptom-free period is unusual.