subject: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [print this page] Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder wherein a person with such illness usually has repeated behaviors and thoughts that can result to anxiety and stress if not done. There are different kinds of OCDs such as washers and cleaners, checkers, orders, hoarders and obsessers. The symptoms of OCD can go from mild to severe and the treatment for the disorder can include antidepressants and therapy.
OCD is the type of anxiety disorder, which results to obsessions that are often unreasonable thoughts that a person with such disorder cannot remove from his mind. Compulsions are actions related to the obsessive thoughts i.e. constant washing of the hands because of the thought that it is full of germs. This occurs because an OC person can't get rid of the thought of the hands being full of germs. Oftentimes, people with OCD encounter embarrassing situations that is why they are scared to undergo treatment and they also keep the symptoms of their disorder from friends because they are afraid of being seen as odd.
The cause of OCD has still remained unknown. However, some studies conducted suggest that OCD can be genetic since there can be more than one family member with such disorder. Some also say that it is a product of chemical imbalance located in several areas of the brain.
The obsessions of an OC person are often involuntary, recurring and unwanted thoughts that makes them feel uneasy thus resulting to actions such as always washing of hands and repeated checking of doors and locks need to be done to reduce the anxiety brought about by the recurring thought. The obsessions of an OC person can also include the extreme need to maintain the orderliness of things, aggressive feelings and repeating doubts. The compulsions are the actions that need to be done in relation to the obsession like constant hand washing and intense desire for order and cleanliness. Irritated hands and extreme reaction to little mess inside the house are to name a few results of the compulsions.
If a person with OCD will undergo therapy, the counselor will try to look at every aspect to diagnose OCD. He may examine the patient's hand for wounds due to constant hand washing; ask the patient and the patient's family and friends question that could have witnessed the obsessions and compulsions. He will also find out the obsession and the compulsions of the patient and the patient will be subjected to changing beliefs on the circumstance. This may be done through exposing the patient under his obsession conditions that will result to compulsions that the patient needs to resist doing. This will continue until the patient will be able to get over the anxiety of resisting his compulsions.
OCD is not something that is funny, thus, people with such disorder should not be made fun of. Understanding, support and encouragement to seek medical treatment by the family and friends is necessary for an OC person to have the courage to seek professional help.
