A mental disorder that often begins in early adulthood, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, typically causes patients to exhibit obsessions, such as the fear of becoming contaminated or being afraid of unlocked doors, and compulsions, which include actions prompted by the obsession. Over 80 percent of patients have both obsessions and compulsions.
Untreated, patients are driven to repeatedly check for a perceived threat in a way that is excessive and unrealistic. They may need to have household items in a specific order, or have repeated doubts about cleanliness or their personal security. The thoughts take over their lives and are constantly on their mind. And they cannot stop the resultant actions.
Research at Johns Hopkins University is ongoing and has shown the possibility of a genetic linkage being the cause of OCD as it may appear more frequently in families. The possibility that the condition may be linked to depression is being studied as many have experienced a bout of depression earlier in their lives. Some abnormalities in the brain have also been linked to the condition and the fact that lower levels of serotonin are found in the brains of people affected by the disease have been observed as well. It is estimated that bout two percent of the population, aged 18 to 55, have OCD.
If you have been diagnosed with OCD, you will be aware of the good news that it can be treated and patients can live a normal lifestyle. A combination of medications and behaviour therapy is proving successful in many cases. Treatments vary between patients because each responds differently and exhibits different symptoms. Medications include Luvox, Paxil, Zoloft and Effexor. If you experience side effects from the drugs, be sure to tell your doctor, who will try a different combination to relieve them.
Seeing a clinical psychologist who is trained in behavioural therapy is also necessary. It is recognized that OCD patients respond to a particular stimulant with obsessive anxiety, setting off inappropriate actions. For instance, you might touch a door knob and then worry about the germs you may have picked up and begin to wash your hands obsessively. Your doctor will break that association and help you to handle your fears. Great successes have been reported in this approach, and the obsessive behaviours have been known to disappear totally in many cases.
If you think you have OCD you may at first try to hide it from family and friends. You may find you have success hiding it at work or at school, and at times you will realize that your fears are unrealistic. But often your ability to control your behaviour weakens and you find you cannot stop.
Unfortunately, it often takes many years for the behaviours to develop to the stage where they are diagnosed because you may have tried to hide the symptoms and were reluctant to talk to your doctor about it. But the sooner you start treatment, the better, so make an appointment and start to face the possibility. With today’s medical knowledge and treatments, you can put OCD in its place and live a rewarding life with a bright future.
