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Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a kind of disorder in which a person is involved in unreasonable repetitive behavior. In addition, they feel some fear that triggers those continual actions.
For instance, you might have observed someone who engages in excessive behavior like rearranging and continuous cleaning. That person is said to be dealing with Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Anyone can suffer from this disorder. It is harmless yet may affect a person’s emotional well-being and overall life. A person undergoing Obsessive-compulsive disorder is most likely to affect his quality of life. Thus, in this article, we will discuss its treatment, its meaning, and how to treat OCD. And what are the possible symptoms?
Further detail about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
A person who has Obsessive-compulsive disorder will experience anxiety. Moreover, such intrusive thoughts cause them to do those continuous actions. People dealing with OCD are aware that their actions are weird. But cannot keep them in control.
Few types of obsessions are:
- Worrying about getting contaminated with germs
- An urge to arrange things in order and the way you want
- Intrusive speculation about someone.
At times OCD sufferers behave in that way to avoid a situation they fear being in. Such urges or behavior are called compulsions.
Below listed are a few types of it:
- Washing hands continuously
- Arranging and then rearranging things
People dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder are well aware of their actions. They also think it weird and not required. Still, they do it to feel satisfied.
What causes OCD?
Many people say it’s in the genes. People whose family members are dealing with OCD, then their children will most likely suffer from it. In most cases, it just develops on its own. Some people are cleanliness freaks. They might also show symptoms of OCD.
OCD symptoms start developing from the childhood period. Any kid who has dealt with any childhood trauma like abuse is most likely to suffer from OCD. Likewise, any scary experience will trigger OCD.
Thus if at any moment you encounter a person who is dealing with Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Observe their actions and help them accordingly.
How OCD can be treated
Luckily, obsessive-compulsive disorder can be treated efficiently. But for proper treatment, a diagnosis is a must. If you feel you are showing and feeling symptoms of OCD. Immediately consult your doctor. The doctor will adequately guide you and treat you according to your type. Don’t get late with it. Get yourself checked as soon as possible. Because if you delay the treatment, it becomes difficult to treat it.
One famous way doctors treat OCD is by doing psychotherapy. Many people respond well to this treatment. But, unfortunately, for some people, it does not work out. In this regard, the doctors try other methods and medications to help the patient.
When treating OCD, the doctors also need to take the patient’s history regarding depression or anxiety.
In this way, the doctors can give the medicines properly. For instance, if a person has a history of depression, the doctors will analyze which treatment to opt for.
Moreover, sometimes psychotherapy is not practical. In those cases, the doctors decide to give medicines that will help the patient. For instance, drugs help with controlling excessive thoughts.
Medicines like antidepressants help to control the symptoms of OCD. These medicines help to prevent the intrusive thoughts that the person feels. The difference between a depression patient and an OCD patient is that OCD sufferers require a higher dose of antidepressants than a depression patient since their thoughts are continuous and intrusive.
One more medicine for OCD is called Risperidone. This medicine is, particularly for OCD patients. However, it may not treat every OCD patient.
Never take these medicines on your own. Always consult your doctor. And follow the instructions as directed by the doctor. Don’t stop taking medication on your own since this may negatively affect your health. Moreover, the outcome will be worse.
For people who suffer from minor Obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychotherapy would be enough to cure the illness. However, for severe cases, medication is a must.
Psychotherapy is mainly effective for OCD sufferers who have compulsive thoughts as well as behavior.
Living with Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Yes, it isn’t easy. People living with OCD are in continuous distress. Their intrusive thoughts about cleaning, arranging things in a certain way always keep them under stress. As a result, such people suffer from anxiety too. And fear becomes a standard part of their life. They also find it weird but cannot identify the cause that causes them to do such repetitive actions. They try to control their thoughts but are not able to. All of this becomes annoying for them too. This is the reason why OCD patients quickly get irritated and annoyed.
People who live with OCD sufferers complain about their behavior. They get easily irritated. According to them, it is not normal behavior. This is the reason why OCD sufferers are hard to live. You can’t control their actions or their behavior.
On the other hand, they will keep behaving in that way. It becomes more painful for people who are not very organized as OCD sufferers are very well organized. And if something around them is not organized, they try to arrange that too according to their likeness.
Many known people live with this disorder. Leonardo Dicaprio is one example.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a pervasive behavioral or mental disorder. If OCD is not treated timely, it can result in severe symptoms. According to studies, many deaths occur because of this disorder. OCD is very different from depression. People suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive disorder live with continuous thoughts that they cannot focus on other daily matters. They are constantly dealing with their mind. This affects their mental health and also physical health.
Such people are not good in their social life. And other people tend to avoid their company as well.
Further treatment of OCD
In some cases, only the therapy is enough. People who show mild symptoms of OCD can be managed by cognitive behavioral therapy. This alone is enough for people who suffer mildly from OCD.
Other than taking medications. One ignored the treatment of OCD patients is to take care of them. It might get annoying, and sometimes you feel like giving up. But if you are around OCD patients, take great care of them. Never let them think that they are annoying. Never make them feel that their habits are weird or confusing.
Always help them. Please encourage the patients to face their fears. Be there for them. Try to make them feel important. Their habits might be annoying, but once you are patient with them. They will be able to manage themselves more appropriately. Talk to them about how they feel. At first, it will be challenging to do. Make them feel comfortable with you. In this way, they will be able to talk about it to you. And then you can help them accordingly.
Other than that, OCD patients need to take care of themselves too. If you are suffering from OCD, get medical help first. You can ease the symptoms of OCD on your own too. By playing sports. Indulge in any activity that you enjoy. Paint, as it helps to reduce stress. Do exercise. Exercising helps with intrusive thoughts.
Believe in yourself. Moreover, keep reminding yourself that it is a phase and it will pass. Always keep yourself busy. And try not to ponder about it too much.
Moreover, take care of your diet as well since OCD affects your health too.
Conclusion
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is quite common. Thus when you think you are suffering from OCD, immediately seek help. Getting help from a doctor is the first way of dealing with this disorder. Talk about it, and don’t feel ashamed if you have OCD. Instead, observe yourself and once you are sure about it, consult your doctor.
OCD takes time to cure. In the case of many people, it takes less time, but for extreme cases, it might take a lot of time, depending on the type of your disorder. Therefore, the doctor will treat you accordingly.
Suppose anyone around you is dealing with OCD. Always help them as much as you can because they might need you. Also, always advise them to get medical help.
Lastly, don’t think that OCD isn’t curable. On the contrary, it is fixable as studies show that people who immediately get medical help fully recover from OCD.
We hope the above article has answered all your questions regarding OCD sufferers. And what it is. How OCD can be treated, and what are the potential symptoms of Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
