Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to compulsive behaviors.
OCD is common, with over 20,000 cases per year. OCD cannot be cured, but treatment can help. It is chronic, which means it can last years or last a lifetime. OCD often centers on themes such as a fear of germs or the need to arrange objects in a specific manner. Symptoms usually begin gradually and vary throughout life.
Symptoms of OCD
Symptoms of OCD are the following:
- Behavioral Symptoms:compulsive behavior, agitation, compulsive hoarding, hypervigilance , impulsivity, meaningless repetition of own words, repetitive movements, social isolation, or persistent repetition of words or actions
- Symptoms associated with mood:anxiety, apprehension, guilt, or panic attack
- Physchological symptoms:depression, fear, or repeatedly going over thoughts
- Food aversion and nightmares are also common symptoms of OCD
Treatments for OCD
Treatment consists of self care and therapy Treatment includes talk therapy, medications, or both.
Medications
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Eases symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety.
- Anxiolytic Relieves anxiety and tension. May promote sleep.
- Antidepressant Prevents or relieves depression and elevates mood.
Therapy
- Support group A forum for counseling and sharing experiences among people with a similar condition or goal, such as depression or weight loss.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy A talk therapy focused on modifying negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses associated with psychological distress.
- Aversion therapy Suppressing unwanted behavior, like smoking, by associating it with a negative experience, like an electric shock.
- Psychoeducation Education about mental health that also serves to support, validate, and empower patients.
- Rational emotive behavior therapy Psychological treatment that helps people change negative, irrational thoughts and improve emotional well-being.
- Exposure and response prevention A talk therapy based on exposing feared or traumatic experiences within a safe setting in order to help reduce any associated psychological distress.
- Psychotherapy Treatment of mental or behavioral disorders through talk therapy.
- Systematic desensitization Psychological treatment that helps people overcome fears by gradually exposing them to the things they're afraid of.
- Group psychotherapy Talk therapy where the therapist works with clients in a group instead of one-on-one.
Specialists
- Clinical psychologist Treats mental disorders primarily with talk therapy.
- Psychiatrist Treats mental disorders primarily with medications.