Obsessive compulsive disorder, also referred to as OCD, is a mental disorder that is characterized by extreme, irrational fears and anxiety. Because the person can't seem to work past those fears, compulsive behaviors develop to help control them. These behaviors can take on a variety of forms, which will begin to dominate a person's life. The good news is that there are effective treatment options for obsessive compulsive disorder. The first step is to identify the symptoms and seek help from a medical professional.
The symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder begin with an irrational fear of things like germs, contamination by dirt, having things in disorder, or even horrific thoughts and actions. Obsessive compulsive disorder in children might also include an obsession with body waste or a fear of illness. These fears will cause a great deal of anxiety, so the person will develop habits meant to keep the source of the fear away. This might include washing hands multiple times a day, checking a door or the stove multiple times before leaving the house or an unusual need for order. The behaviors will begin to take up more and more time, until a person with obsessive compulsive disorder will feel controlled by the behaviors that were meant to control the underlying fear.
There may be a number of reasons why obsessive compulsive disorder develops in people. Medical experts believe there may be a genetic component, since the condition does sometimes run in families. There is also a biological component, since obsessive compulsive disorder appears to be the result of changes in brain function or the body's chemistry. An insufficient level of serotonin in the brain may also contribute to the development of obsessive compulsive disorder. While these are all good theories, the jury is still out on the actual cause of the condition.
Treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder usually involves a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Antidepressants are the most common medicine used for this condition, because they can increase serotonin levels in the brain. However, other anti-anxiety medications may also be used. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common psychotherapy used for this disorder. This process involves training the brain to different thought processes and routines to avoid compulsive behaviors and deal with the fears behind them in healthier ways.
Obsessive compulsive disorder can be a challenging condition to deal with. Fortunately there are treatment options available from your doctor that can keep symptoms at bay and raise your quality of life.
