Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also
known as OCD causes people to suffer in silence and secrecy and can
destroy relationships and the ability to work. It may bring on shame,
ridicule, anger, and intolerance from friends and family.
Although it has been reported in
children, it strikes most often during adolescence or young adult
years. The illness can affect people in any income bracket, of any
race, gender, or ethnic group, and in any occupation. If people
recognize the symptoms and seek treatment, OCD can be controlled.
OCD plagues people with intrusive,
unwanted thoughts or obsessions, which are rarely pleasant. People who
have these obsessions recognize that they are senseless. Still, they
are unable to stop them.
They may worry about becoming
contaminated by dirt or germs and believe they will be tainted by
touching doorknobs or common objects. Others may fear becoming violent
or aggressive, or they may have an unreasonable fear they will
unintentionally harm people. Some may struggle with blasphemous or
distasteful sexual thoughts, while others become overly concerned
about order, arrangement or symmetry.
In an attempt to ease the anxiety
related to their obsessions, people often develop ritualistic
behaviors, called compulsions. Often, these reflect the patient's
obsessions. For example, an obsessive fear about contamination often
leads to compulsive hand washing, even to the point where the person's
hands bleed. Others repeatedly touch a specific object or say a name
or phrase in response to an obsession. An extreme and intrusive fear
of making mistakes on the job may result in a person completing tasks
extremely slowly, even to the point that the job is never finished.
Obsessions may also result in
compulsive collecting of useless items such as magazines and
newspapers until they clog entire rooms of homes and endanger
occupants' safety.
Because victims of OCD realize their
obsessive thoughts and behaviors are senseless and unnecessary, they
may try to hide their problem. They fear people will think they are
"crazy" or silly. And they may feel that they're all alone.
Of course, nothing could be further
from the truth. OCD affects as many as 2 percent of all Americans.
Research indicates that, like depression and bipolar disorder, OCD is
caused by an imbalance of the neurotransmitter called serotonin. This
brain chemical, one of many that allows the nerve cells to communicate
with one another, is thought to regulate mood and sleeping patterns.
Other research links the illness to
biological responses to threats. According to this theory, healthy
people become accustomed to a stimulus that - although originally
thought to be a threat - turns out to be harmless. People with OCD,
however, never develop an "immunity" to the stimulus and continue to
feel anxious. Over time, their anxiety develops into obsessions which,
in turn, give rise to the compulsive behavior.
Other theories focus on the
psychological reactions to a traumatic incident during childhood,
major stress, and a biological vulnerability that can be triggered by
stress.
Researchers have found that certain
antidepressant medications, help alleviate obsessive behaviors by
increasing the amount of serotonin and improve communication between
the nerve cells.
As with all medications,
antidepressants have some side effects. The most common side effects
are sedation, hand tremors, dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, insomnia,
weight gain, blurred vision, and perspiration. Although these are
troublesome, most side effects begin to fade after a few weeks. It is
important to ask your physician about potential side effects whenever
taking medication. Equally important is telling the physician about
any problems that develop after beginning a medication.
Behavior therapy has proven very
successful in helping people with OCD overcome the anxiety that they
feel if they do not complete their compulsions. In behavior therapy, a
patient is exposed to the feared object or obsession, but prevented
from completing the compulsive behavior. For example, people who fear
contamination may be encouraged to touch dirty laundry and be denied
the chance to wash their hands for a specified period of time. Most
often, behavior therapy includes guidelines or a "contract" in which
the patient and treatment team agree on certain goals.
In addition, families may participate
in therapy by attending information sessions about the situations that
may cause symptoms to worsen and the ways that loved ones can help the
patient overcome the illness. Often family members can help the
patient honor the terms of the treatment contract, and can also help
to identify whether the patient is experiencing emotional difficulties
such as:
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Reappearance of repetitive behaviors
- Constant questioning of own judgment
- Taking longer with simple tasks
- Increased tardiness
It is important for family and friends
to create a strong and supportive environment in which they learn to
appreciate progress in their loved one's functioning and view small
improvements as a success.
No one should have to suffer the
painful symptoms of OCD alone or in silence; treatment is available.
Keep the following in mind:
- No one person causes OCD in another,
nor do people bring the illness upon themselves as a result of weak
morals or character.
- Seek a complete evaluation with a
licensed mental health professional who can accurately diagnose the
disorder.
- Follow the treatment recommendations
of your doctor and voice any concerns or questions.
- Remember that one of the most
effective ways to cope with obsessive-compulsive disorder is to
learn as much as you can about it. By doing so, you can help
yourself and your loved one regain a healthy, fulfilling life.
Source: National Mental Health
Association
