OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is characterized by obsessive thoughts and the desire to perform certain “rituals”, from which patients receive temporary relief. They may constantly say the “happy phrase” or touch certain parts of the body, or constantly wash their hands due to fear of germs. Such patients constantly suffer from anxiety and restlessness; it seems to them that if they do not do this or that action, then some kind of misfortune will happen. Treatment of patients with OCD is carried out using modern methods of psychotherapy, and pharmacological therapy is also carried out. If you have OCD, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, since the sooner you start treatment, the faster you can achieve remission.
OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a condition in which a person experiences intrusive thoughts that cannot be eliminated (obsessions) and certain ritual behaviors that the person cannot control (compulsions). Until recently, the diagnosis of OCD was very rarely made, however, with the development of diagnostic capabilities and a deeper study of the nature of obsessive-compulsive disorder, the actual statistics on this disease have been revealed. According to the latest data from the World Health Organization, OCD affects about 2-3% of the world population.
To try to explain the essence of OCD in a nutshell, we can use the analogy of a broken record. A person constantly has obsessive thoughts that have no rational explanation or basis. This could be a panicky fear of germs, constant checking of household appliances when leaving the house and thoughts that a person might have forgotten to turn them off, fear of hurting someone, irritation that things may not be in their places. Another aspect of obsessive-compulsive disorder is ritualistic activities that are designed to reduce anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. This could be constant hand washing, using “lucky objects” for good luck, ritual phrases that can protect you from something terrible, or using disposable utensils. After committing such compulsions, a person feels calm for some time. At the same time, it is not necessary that both obsessions and compulsions are observed in OCD - this is typical only for three-quarters of all cases of the disease.
Now, there are no clear causes for the occurrence of OCD. In modern psychiatry, it is customary to distinguish psychological, organic, and genetic factors. Psychological factors include stress, psychological trauma, personality traits, and improper functioning of mental defense mechanisms. Organic factors associate OCD with disruption of the brain, its anatomical features, or with disruption of the functioning of biologically active substances. Genetic factors indicate the presence of mutations in the genes of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
When diagnosing OCD, a wide range of tests is used. To exclude organic causes for psychopathology, computed tomography and extensive blood tests are required. A psychiatric examination and psychodynamic diagnosis with a clinical psychologist are also carried out.
In the differential diagnosis, obsessive-compulsive disorder is indicated by the fact that the patient understands the illogicality of his obsessive thoughts, he is burdened by daily rituals, and he notes a high level of anxiety. In other words, what distinguishes OCD from schizophrenia and delusional disorder is the patient’s complete understanding of his condition. At the same time, pathology should be distinguished from habits, because many modern people have a love for cleanliness or organizing objects. If your habits don't cause discomfort or anxiety, you shouldn't worry about your mental health.
OCD in men and women
OCD manifests itself in almost the same way in men and women - it is always at first obsessive thoughts, against the background of which there is increased anxiety and certain rituals that help to avoid far-fetched consequences. The only difference is what is the catalyst for the disease in men and women.
For men, the alarming trigger is:
• Job;
• career;
• desire to preserve property.
For example, a man may often think that he is about to be fired from his job and will have no money left to support himself. Against the background of these experiences, anxiety arises, and the man begins to resort to compulsions - touching the lobe of his right ear, clapping his hands 10 times, praying or performing another action.
Women are more likely to worry about:
• your health;
• children's lives;
• family safety.
There is also the concept of postpartum OCD, when a woman worries about the health of her newborn so much that it develops into pathology. It seems to her that he might catch an infection, become infected with a virus, fall, and break his head, or suddenly stop breathing. Often such patients come up to the crib 10 times at night and check the child to see if he is breathing.
OCD in children
In children, this disorder often develops due to a genetic predisposition or because of poor relationships at school, family, or with friends. Children usually worry about grades, loneliness, quarrels, teacher rejection, physical and psychological abuse. They also begin to perform certain rituals amid increased anxiety.
OCD in older people
Obsessive-compulsive disorder in older people may be associated with loneliness, decreased social activity, anxiety about children and grandchildren, decreased quality of life, and physical limitations. In this case, older people literally lose sleep, start constantly calling their children, and are haunted by obsessive thoughts that something bad might happen. For example, that children can die in a car accident. Then the rituals begin - 20 steps from wall to wall, washing your hair or hands, counting your teeth, and so on.
Unfortunately, patients with OCD are not always in a hurry to see a specialist. Very often people are afraid of obsessive thoughts and stereotypical actions over which they have no control, people are afraid of being stigmatized and becoming an outcast in society. However, now there are effective methods of diagnosis and treatment. The private psychiatric clinic IsraClinic uses an integrated approach to the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder - a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. The clinic uses the latest generation of medications with a minimum number of side effects - the type of medication and its dosage are determined by the doctor individually after an examination. The type of psychotherapy is also selected - for patients diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, cognitive-behavioral therapy and dynamic psychotherapy are effective. In addition, psychoeducational conversations are held with the patient and his relatives about the characteristics of his disease, the process of therapy and the patient’s socialization upon returning home.
It is very important to remember that any disorder can be treated; it is important to consult a qualified doctor in a timely manner.
Obsessive-compulsive disorders, as mentioned above, have 3 causes of origin: psychological, organic and genetic. If there is a family history of OCD in parents and close relatives (grandparents, aunts or uncles), then you need to monitor your symptoms and feelings very carefully. If there are prerequisites for the development of OCD, at the slightest doubt and the appearance of obsessive thoughts, you should immediately consult a doctor.
If the cause of OCD is organic damage to the brain, then preventive measures must be aimed at combating the recurrence of OCD due to organic causes. In this case, properly selected drug treatment will help.
If the cause of OCD is psychological factors, then it is necessary to avoid situations that can provoke a relapse. Try to harmonize the psychological sphere as much as possible, avoid conflicts and stress, work with a psychologist or psychotherapist according to an individually developed program. If the patient’s life is associated with stress, it is possible to take medications that will help smooth out anxious and depressive symptoms, reduce the frequency of obsessive thoughts, and stop rituals.
Remember that for any manifestations of OCD, you should immediately contact a psychotherapist for correction or selection of a treatment regimen.