Do you often double-check to ensure that you have locked the door or wear your lucky shorts during game days? These simple habits may make you feel safe and secure. You may also feel compelled to repeatedly act in a certain way. OCD can be the root cause behind this behavior. It is a mental health condition associated with obsessions and compulsive behaviors. Read this blog to know more about OCD.
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves repetitive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and excessive urges to do specific actions (compulsions). You may know that your thoughts and actions do not make any logical sense; still, you may not be able to stop them.
Symptoms
Generally, OCD thoughts and behavior last more than an hour every day and interfere with your lifestyle.
- Obsessions- These are repetitive thoughts or impulses. People with OCD may try to ignore or suppress them but may be afraid that they might be true. Suppressing these thoughts can lead to anxiety which you may not be able to endure. You may end up engaging in compulsive behaviors to deal with it.
- Compulsions- You may repeatedly act in a certain way to temporarily relieve stress and anxiety. You may feel that doing certain things will prevent mishaps.
Treatment
- Medication- Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), to you to lessen OCD symptoms.
- Therapy- Get in touch with a mental health professional and enroll yourself in therapy. It will help you change your thought and behavior patterns.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a talk therapy that shows effective results. Exposure Response Therapy (ERP) is another beneficial therapy that allows you to deal with anxiety and obsessive thoughts without engaging in compulsive behavior.
Causes of OCD
The exact causes of OCD are not known. However, researchers believe that specific nerve cells of your brain may not effectively communicate with each other, leading to OCD. Plus, genetics can also be a significant reason behind OCD.
Types of OCD
There are various types of obsessions and compulsions like:
- Fear of germs with related compulsions of washing and cleaning
- Perfectionism is associated with compulsions of redoing or ordering
- Unwanted sexual thoughts
- Fear of harming yourself or someone else
OCD diagnosis
Mental health professionals diagnose OCD in their patients by using an interview process. Several therapists use Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale to assess various obsessions and compulsions and the degree to which the symptoms interfere in your routine life.
OCD in children
You can develop OCD mainly during two age ranges: 8-12 years (middle childhood) and 18-25 years (late adolescence and emerging adulthood). Girls usually develop OCD later than boys.
Risk factors of OCD
If someone in your family has OCD, you are also likely to develop it too. OCD can get worse if you are experiencing a lot of stress, be it related to school, relationships, work, or life-altering events.
About Magnolia Ranch Recovery
OCD is a severe disorder that can disrupt your daily activities. If you wish to treat your OCD, get in touch with Magnolia Ranch Recovery. We offer drug and alcohol rehab programs and also specialize in treating OCD. We are known for identifying the underlying cause of problems associated with addiction. For more information about us, contact us at 888-992-7955, connect through email at info@magnoliaranchrecovery.com, or fill the contact form.
