Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

An overwhelming urge to do a certain ritual is known as a compulsion. Obsessive compulsive disorder refers to obsessive thoughts that lead to rituals or repetitive actions. This is mainly to relieve anxiety and includes constantly washing your hands.

Obsessive thoughts create the anxiety. In an effort to relieve the anxiety, one has compulsions to do something repetitively. Some of the compulsions include, cleaning, counting, touching, hoarding, excessive neatness among other behavior. The person with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is normally in a state of constant fear and panic especially since they think something horrible will happen if the task is not completed.

Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Behavior

It is thought that OCD is caused by a combination of factors. One of the main factors is the personality type of the individual. Perfectionists are prone to OCD since they need to have everything done perfectly. When this is not the case, they become anxious and will repeat the task until it is done to their satisfaction.

OCD may be due to a lack of serotonin. Low serotonin levels in the brain have been closely associated to OCD. Genes running in a family can also cause OCD. Since it tends to run in a family it is thought that genes may be the cause of members of a family copying the behavior of someone with OCD.

OCD Symptoms

OCD symptoms normally start at an early age and become more pronounced as one ages. One can either have obsessions, compulsions or both. There are also physical symptoms with OCD.

Obsessions are unpleasant thoughts, urges or images that keep coming in the mind. Some of these include:

• Seeking perfection in everything,
• Unwanted thoughts of a disturbing nature like violence,
• Fear of making a mistake, and
• Feeling the need to confess to something all the time

Compulsions are thoughts or actions that you feel the need to do or repeat. Some of these include:

• Repeatedly checking things like doors and locks,
• Counting while doing routine tasks,
• Arranging things in a neat order repetitively,
• Constant hand washing because of a fear of contamination, and
• Hoarding things even those of no value

Physical symptoms include:

• Sweating,
• Shortness of breath,
• Trembling or shaking,
• Dizziness, and
• A racing heart

Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

If OCD is not treated, it can make life very difficult, including being unable to work. It may be difficult but not impossible to treat. Medication therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy or a combination of both is the effective methods of treatment.

Medications therapies are used to increase and maintain the serotonin levels in the brain. These drugs are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). They are also used to reduce anxiety and depression. Clomipramine is also used as antidepressant to control OCD.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), involve exploring the cause and nature of the underlying anxiety and stress. The therapists will gradually expose you the fear and then discourage you from carrying out the compulsive behavior.

With professional treatment, it is possible to control OCD. If not checked however, it can cause serious disruptions in your life and social structure.

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