"You don't have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you."" ~Dan Millman
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: OCD
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
OCD stands for "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder". It is a mental disorder where someone needs to check things or perform same routines repeatedly. They fear of germs and they arrange objects in a specific manner.
What are the Symptoms of OCD?
- Behavioral:
you may exhibit compulsive behavior, and feel the need for something to be as perfect in real life as it is in your mind.
This can unfortunately also come with agitation, or anxiety when not persistent repetition of words or action.
- Mood:
It is very common for you to have debilitating anxiety, guilt, apprehension, if you have OCD. This canvas come with
frequent anxiety or panic attacks
- Psychological:
Due to the feeling of isolation brought on by OCD, you may also show signs of depression, anxiety, and even fear for the future or yourself.
It is also common to repeatedly go over your thoughts or minds content.
Are there different types of OCD?
Due to mental stigma, it is common for people to believe that OCD has to do with being overly organized, and anxious when your space gets messy, but that
isn't the only type of OCD!
Different Branches of OCD
- Intrusive Thoughts: a person that suffers with obsessional thoughts that cause violent or sexual harm to others
- Constant Checking: A repetetive action that is unexplainable to you
- Fear of Contamination: does not like to touch anything that will get a person sick or have germs. The person would constantly wash their hands over and over again with constant checking.
- Hoarding: obsessive compulsive personality disorder and could end up having other mental illnesses - like Dementia, which is a brain disease like memory disorders and personality changes or
Schizophrenia that causes a mental breakdown with thoughts, emotions, and behavior
- PANDAS:Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal occurs in childhood by following the body's reaction to infection. Child starting to have symptoms overnight and severe impact on the child's life
Are there treatments for people that have OCD?
People with OCD often undergo Psychotherapy:like Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that is the most common
form of therapy where you discuss your mind to a therapist. There is also Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
that Exposes you to situations and objects that trigger fear and anxiety. The response is prevention
that refers to the ritual behaviors that people with OCD engage in to reduce anxiety. There is also another treatment
called SSRI: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors that is a drug medication to treat OCD.
How to help someone with OCD?
| DO'S |
Don'ts |
| Staying Positive: Avoid making personal criticisms and do not let the ones who suffer OCD feel out of place. |
Being Negative: Do Not pressure or insult the ones that have OCD. It can lead into depression.
|
| Encourage positive behaviors: by being sincere and helpful |
Do Not shame or humiliate someone with OCD for having compulsive behavior.
|
| Communications: Be respectful, positive and clear. |
Do Not disrespect or be unclear on what you are saying, it can lead into negative thoughts |
| Give Unconditional love and Acceptance: make them feel like they belong to where they are |
Do Not be cruel or not accept them because they can just add more disorders into their health which is unhealthy |
| Supportive: help them by viewing their perspective and be in their situa |
Do Not be unsupportive because people who suffer OCD needs help and they can change slowly. |
CITATIONS
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/obssessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd.htm
- https://iocdf.org/about-ocd/what-causes-ocd/
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/symptoms-causes/dxc-20196181
- https://www.helpguide.org/articles/add-adhd/when-your-child-has-attention-deficit-disorder-adhd.htmhttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml
