What is OCD?

 

What is OCD?

OCD stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCD is a mental illness in which unwanted thoughts and fears become obsessions that compel you to repeat the same behavior over and over again. These compulsions are daily. interfere with the activities of and important

Symptoms of OCD:

 Obsessive compulsive disorder has two main types of symptoms.

 1. Delusional thoughts. (obsessions)

 2. Tasks that the patient finds himself forced to do over and over again. (completions)

 Obsessions (delusional thoughts).

 Patients have recurring thoughts, delusions, doubts, and whispers that persist for hours. These delusions are usually very painful because they are violent or sexual in nature and the patient knows they are delusional. The patient tries to stop them from coming to his mind again and again or to shake them out of his mind, but these thoughts do not leave his mind. The patient knows that these are his own thoughts, but they keep coming into his mind against his will. Sometimes people have repeated thoughts of killing or cursing someone. Although people do not understand these thoughts and do not act on them, but these thoughts are very painful. Sometimes patients have thoughts throughout the day that they are contaminated with germs or dirt or they have a big problem. A disease such as cancer or AIDS will occur.

 Compulsions (doing the same thing over and over for no reason)

 Many patients with this disease repeat certain actions countless times, for example, some people wash their hands for an hour, or check fifty-fifty times that the door has not been left open. Often patients know that they have done something and it is pointless and useless to do it again, for example, the hands are clean or the door is open, but they have a strong urge to do it again and if they Don't do it again and try to stop it, panic sets in. Sometimes patients do such things repeatedly because they feel that if they don't do it, big trouble will come to them or their family.

 How common is OCD?

 About two percent of people are affected by this disease at some point in their life. The rate of this disease is equal in men and women.

 How severe can OCD be?

 If OCD is severe enough, it becomes almost impossible to work regularly, spend quality time with family, or take an interest in family affairs. If the patient tries to involve his family in his compulsions, he may Can be upset and angry.

 Are people with OCD crazy?

 People who suffer from OCD are mentally sound, but many times they hesitate to express their illness lest people think they are crazy. Although patients are worried that they may lose control of themselves due to this disease, but in reality it does not happen.

 At what age does OCD start?

 OCD usually begins in adolescence or early twenties. Symptoms sometimes start, sometimes go away on their own and then come back, but patients usually don't seek help until many years after the onset of the disease.

What happens if OCD is not treated?

 If the disease is mild, many people get better without treatment. If the disease is moderate or severe, this usually does not happen, although symptoms sometimes improve temporarily. Some people's disease gets progressively worse over time, while some people's symptoms worsen with depression or anxiety. People generally benefit from treatment.

 Why does OCD occur?

 Genes.

 OCD tends to run in some people, so sometimes it runs in more than one family member.

 Stress.

 About one-third of people who develop OCD develop it after stressful situations and events.

 A change in life.

 When someone suddenly has more responsibilities, such as becoming an adult, having a baby, or getting a new job, the risk of developing OCD symptoms increases.

 Mental change.

 We don't know for sure, but according to researchers, if someone has OCD for more than a short period of time, there is a malfunction in the process of a chemical serotonin in the brain.

Personality

 People who are very neat, tidy and do everything according to a certain rule and high standard are more likely to develop OCD. These traits are beneficial in normal life, but can lead to OCD if they become excessive.

 Way of thinking

 Almost all of us have the odd thought at some point, "What if I get in front of that car, I don't hurt my child." Most of us shake those thoughts away and But some people are so bound by morality in their thoughts that they think that such thoughts should not come. Such people keep worrying that such thoughts will come again. Don't come and those who do worry tend to get more of these thoughts.

 Why doesn't OCD go away?

 Sometimes the efforts that OCD sufferers make to reduce their symptoms increase their thoughts, such as:

   Trying to push the obsessions out of the mind and trying not to let the thoughts come to mind. This effort usually increases the thoughts.

  Repeated compulsions, repeated checking of tasks, or repeated seeking of reassurance from people temporarily relieves the anxiety, but it reinforces the patient's belief that they Doing things stops something bad from happening, so the pressure to do those things again next time increases.

 Bringing "right" thoughts to the mind to eliminate "bad thoughts". If you do, leave it and wait until your panic subsides.

 Help yourself.

  Face your obsessions. This may sound strange to you, but it makes it easier to control your thoughts. Record your obsessions spoken and listen to them over and over again, or write them down and read them over and over again. You have to do this regularly for about half an hour daily until your anxiety subsides.

  Try to stop the compulsions but don't try to stop the obsessions.

  Don't drink alcohol to relieve anxiety.

  If your thoughts are bothering you religiously, talking to a therapist may help determine if your thoughts are not caused by OCD.

 Treating OCD.

 Two methods are used. CBT for OCD

 Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Cognitive Therapy (CT)

 Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

 This method of treatment prevents panic and compulsions from reinforcing each other. If a person stays in a stressful situation for a long time, he gradually gets used to it and his anxiety decreases. Keeping this principle in mind, the patient is exposed to these situations in this treatment. In which he has hallucinations, such as touching a dusty object, but is prevented from complying with his demands, such as frequent hand washing, until his panic subsides. Treat this gradually rather than suddenly. is better.

  Make a list of things that make you very nervous or that you stay away from.

  Put the situations or thoughts you fear the least at the bottom of your list, and the ones you fear the most at the top.

 There is panic.

  First face the situations that make you least nervous and then come to the things that make you more nervous. Do not move on to the next level until the lower level is less panicked.

 Do this exercise daily for a week or two. Do this each time until your anxiety is at least halved from the extreme. Initially it takes half an hour to an hour.

 You can practice these steps with a psychotherapist, but most of the time you will have to do them on your own. Do this at a pace that you can comfortably handle. Your anxiety doesn't have to be completely gone every time, just low enough that you can deal with the situation.- Remember that your anxiety:

  It's painful, but it can't hurt you.

  It will go away without end.

   It will decrease with regular practice.