Obsessive-compulsive disorder, what is it, who is prone to it. Impulsive (obsessive) compulsive personality disorder. Causes, symptoms, how to determine, behavior, treatment

This disease is a set of sometimes meaningless, sometimes completely unnecessary stereotypes or rituals that are caused by obsessive thoughts. At the same time, a person is fully aware and understands the irrationality of his ideas and actions, but is unable to resist them.

An emerging obsession (obsession) is usually associated with anxiety about the correctness of one’s actions, decisions, arrangement of objects, or one’s health. Such ideas cannot be eliminated, and over time they become a priority, crowding out other, perhaps more important ones. For example, if this happens at work, a person’s ability to work decreases and he cannot even think about anything else.

Obsession causes constant anxiety about something, paralyzing the rest of thinking, its intensity increases and requires the implementation of certain actions. Suppose a person does not remember whether he locked his car or apartment, and he is worried - what if he forgot? This thought becomes obsessive and does not allow you to think about anything else.

An obsession requires performing an action - going and seeing if your car or house is locked. A person goes, checks and returns, but a new thought appears that he did not check carefully enough. A second, stronger obsession requires repeated action (compulsion). Thus, a vicious circle is created, which constantly leads to a worsening of the anxiety state.

Such actions are perceived critically by the person himself, he may even be ashamed of them, but he is unable to do anything about it. No matter how long the resistance lasts, the obsession will still be dominant.

Main causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Currently, more than 3% of the population, according to various sources, suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. This figure varies depending on the country and nation.

It is known that the risk of OCD in close relatives is much higher than in the general population. This leads to certain conclusions that there is a hereditary transmission of the tendency to this disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder syndrome can be observed in anxious, thoughtful individuals. They are prone to forming obsessive ideas and have a hard time experiencing certain doubts.

Also great importance has a biological factor. A difficult perinatal period with trauma or asphyxia during birth increases the chances of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some patients may even experience organic changes, which are recorded using MRI or CT.

In all other cases, we talk about psychogenic factors that are present in our lives. Stress, nervous strain, overwork can provoke a pathological reaction of the psyche. Some theories view obsessions and compulsions as protecting the mind from excessive anxiety, fear, or aggression. The body tries to occupy itself with something at a time when it is overcome by anxiety.

Symptoms of the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Regardless of the cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder, symptoms develop according to the same principle, but stereotypical movements may differ, as well as obsessive ideas and thoughts.

OCD may present with the following types of symptoms:

• Obsessive thoughts. They arise regardless of the desire of the person himself, but are recognized by him as his beliefs, ideas and even images. They constantly invade consciousness and repeat themselves stereotypically, dominating others. A person cannot resist such a thing. Examples of such thoughts can be individual words, phrases, poems. Sometimes their content is obscene and contrary to the character of the person himself.
• Obsessive impulses. An irresistible desire to immediately carry out some action that is meaningless and sometimes shocking. For example, a person suddenly develops desire swear or call someone names in a public place. He cannot control this impulse, no matter how hard he tries. Often these actions are carried out by people whose upbringing does not allow them to do this, but, nevertheless, obsessions force them.
• Obsessive rumination. A person begins to think about something ridiculous situations, makes arguments and rejects them, getting stuck in this internal debate. These may be doubts that relate to performed or unfulfilled rituals, while trying to resist the internal need for these actions.
• Obsessive images. A vivid presentation of violent scenes, perversions and other impressive pictures that are not at all consistent with upbringing and religious prejudices.
• Obsessive doubts. Various types of uncertainty about the correctness or completion of certain actions, constantly emerging in the memory and interfering with normal life activities. Symptoms persist even after doubts can be dispelled and the person becomes convinced that they are groundless.
• Obsessive phobias. Fears that arise for no reason and are meaningless in their essence. Their character is represented by dozens possible options that are observed in OCD. These could be hypochondriacal phobias, manifested in the fear of contracting a terrible infection or becoming seriously ill.
• Pollution obsessions (mysophobia). A person is constantly wary of getting dirty, poisons, small needles or other things entering the body. They manifest themselves in special rituals that are needed to protect themselves. Special attention is also paid to hygiene and constant checks of cleanliness. Such people often avoid physical contact, and some are even afraid to leave the room.

To be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, certain conditions must be met. First, obsessive and/or compulsive symptoms must have been present for at least 2 weeks. They must cause distress and disrupt human activity, and also meet the following requirements:

1. Obsessive thoughts and ideas should be regarded as one’s own, not external;
2. There is at least one thought or action that the patient tries to resist;
3. Performing an action does not bring proper satisfaction;
4. Thoughts or ideas are periodically repeated in a stereotypical manner.

Important! OCD symptoms can have a significant impact on a person's life. He can isolate himself from outside world, lose previous connections, family, job.

Features of the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Despite the rather extensive group of symptoms that form obsessive-compulsive disorder, the disease is highly treatable. A timely visit to a specialist will help save valuable time and quickly prescribe the correct therapy. Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder must begin with a detailed explanation to the person of the symptoms that he or she has. It should be said that this problem is by no means a sign of some terrible mental illness; with the correct therapeutic approach, the manifestations are eliminated.

Psychotherapeutic correction

This method widely used in the treatment of neurotic spectrum diseases. With the help of words, an experienced specialist will be able to establish the correct diagnosis, formulate the main causes of the disorder and develop leverage to get rid of this disease.

One of the most important aspects of psychotherapeutic care is the establishment of a trusting relationship between the patient and the doctor. Each of them is obliged to take a responsible approach to sessions and conversations that are conducted with one common goal - to help the patient recover from OCD. In order for the therapy to be effective and fully contribute to the improvement of a person’s condition, it is necessary to fully comply with all the doctor’s recommendations and prescriptions.

The arsenal of psychotherapeutic tools includes a lot of individual and group methods that are suitable for correcting obsessive states and helping to form a new model of response to emerging obsessive thoughts, images and other elements.

The most common and effective psychotherapeutic methods are successfully used in practice both together with pharmacotherapy and separately from it. Psychological support during the rehabilitation period for preventive purposes is also important. Most often, specialists involved in cognitive behavioral therapy work with such patients.

This method has a sufficient number of developed programs specifically for this disorder:

• Exposure to prevent reactions. It is a relatively new section of psychotherapeutic care, which has well-established schemes and scales for assessing the patient’s condition. Based on mutual preparation individual plan responding to symptoms of obsessive-cognitive disorder. A huge number of tools for diagnosing the symptoms of the disease make it possible to create a specific list of signs of OCD that bother a person. It is used in exposure psychotherapy. During the conversation, starting with the most minor manifestations, the patient is exposed to fears, be it infection with a virus or an iron not being turned off. With the help of a doctor, he tries to form defensive reaction and prevent symptoms from appearing. In addition, the specificity of this type of therapy is based on the repetition of these psychological exercises at home without the participation of a specialist. If the patient learns to independently resist the manifestation of such symptoms, such treatment can be called successful.
• Imaginary representations. This method is used to treat OCD with an anxiety component. Its goal is to reduce the intensity of the reaction to unwanted intrusive thoughts. Short stories are selected for the patient, recorded in audio format, which contain elements of obsessive thoughts of a particular person. By replaying them over and over again, the doctor provokes the patient to experience the situations that he is afraid of. After several such courses, a person gets used to hearing them and imagining unwanted pictures, and tries not to react so sharply to the situation outside the psychotherapist’s office. In other words, his imagination tries to paint a picture of fear every time, and he learns to properly protect himself from its influence.
• Mindful behavioral psychotherapy. This type of treatment is based on a logical explanation of the symptoms that appear. The goal of the psychotherapist is to teach the person to perceive the manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder as separate sensations. The patient needs to isolate himself from painful thoughts that cause discomfort, fear and even inconvenience. Subjective perception of your own experiences will help you de-actualize your symptoms and reduce their intensity. Roughly speaking, the full range of unpleasant sensations that develop in OCD is not the main problem. Most of all, irritability is caused by unsuccessful attempts to cope with the disease. They create the main pathogenetic mechanism of OCD. If you perceive obsessions correctly, the symptoms will soon lose their strength.

In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, there are several other methods that are used for this disease. Hypnosuggestive therapy is an effective means of influencing a person’s perception of their own feelings. It ensures the correct setting of priority feelings and can significantly reduce the manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

A person is immersed in a state of hypnosis, focusing on the voice of a specialist who is engaged in this practice. With the help of suggestion, it is possible to plant in the conscious and unconscious sphere of a person’s mental activity the correct scheme for responding to obsessions. After a course of such therapy, the patient always notices significant improvements, reacts much more easily to provoking factors and is able to be critical of internal urges for any convulsive actions.

Drug treatment

The main treatment method for OCD at the moment is pharmacotherapy. The selection of doses and the choice of an individual drug is carried out by a psychiatrist, taking into account the characteristics of each individual. The presence of concomitant diseases, gender, age and the course of obsessive-compulsive disorder are also taken into account.

Depending on the framework within which the syndrome of obsessions and compulsions is considered, different therapeutic approaches are used. The predominant symptoms and the presence of concomitant depressive symptoms are also taken into account.

The following groups of drugs are used to treat OCD:

1. Antidepressants. Usually drugs with serotonergic effects are used. With their help, you can eliminate concomitant depressive symptoms and improve overall well-being.
2. Anxiolytics (tranquilizers). They are used for fear, anxiety, and anxiety states that are often observed in the clinical picture of OCD. Preference is given to diazepine drugs.
3. Neuroleptics. In some cases, it is advisable to include representatives of this group of drugs. Ritualized compulsions respond well to treatment with atypical antipsychotics.

If obsessive symptoms are observed as part of schizophrenia, typical antipsychotics should be used. High doses of serotonergic antidepressants can effectively relieve obsessive-phobic symptoms.

In any case, only a qualified doctor knows how to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder correctly, so self-medication will not only not bring the expected results, but can also aggravate the situation.

How to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder - watch the video:

For a long time, treatment for OCD has been quite challenging task. With the advent of new psychotherapeutic methods and the development of pharmacological drugs that allow a gentler and more precise effect on certain symptoms, the treatment of this disease today can be called quite successful. The key to the effective use of absolutely all means in the medical arsenal is confidential contact between the patient and the psychotherapist or psychiatrist. Only by joining forces can this problem be overcome.

What is OCD, how does it manifest itself, who is prone to obsessive-compulsive disorder and why, what accompanies OCD. Causes

Hello! Usually in articles I try to give useful recommendations, but this one will carry more educational character to generally understand what people are facing. We will look at how the disorder most often manifests itself and who is most prone to it. This will give you some idea of ​​what to pay attention to and where to start moving towards recovery.

What is OCD (obsession and compulsion)

So what is neurosis? obsessive states and, in particular, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Obsession- an obsession, a periodically occurring annoying, unwanted thought. People are bothered by repetitive thoughts and thought images. For example, about possible errors, omissions, inappropriate behavior, the possibility of getting infected, losing control, etc.

compulsion- this is an obsessive behavior that a person feels he is forced to do in order to prevent something bad, that is, actions aimed at avoiding a perceived danger.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder was not so long ago considered a disease, but now in the international medical classification (ICD-10) OCD is classified as a neurotic disorder, which can be successfully and permanently treated with modern psychotherapeutic methods, in particular, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), based renowned psychotherapist Aaron Beck (although, in my opinion and experience, this method lacks some important points).

It is very viscous, tenacious and serious condition, which can consume almost all of your time, filling it with meaningless actions and repetitive thoughts and images. Against this background, people begin to experience difficulties in communication, in everyday activities, study and work.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is divided into two forms:

1. Obsessions when a person has only obsessive thoughts and images, be they contrasting (single) or numerous thoughts replacing each other on various occasions, which he is afraid of, tries to get rid of and distract himself from them.
2. Obsessions-compulsives when obsessive thoughts and actions (rituals) are present. If a person is completely unable to control his anxious thoughts and feelings, he can try to do something, use some actions to extinguish anxiety and get rid of annoying thoughts and fears.

Over time, these actions themselves become obsessive and seem to stick to the person’s psyche, then an irresistible feeling arises to continue performing rituals, and in the future, even if the person decides not to do them, it simply does not work out.

Compulsive disorder – obsessive behavior.

Most often, rituals are associated with double-checking, washing, cleaning, counting, symmetry, hoarding and, sometimes, the need to confess.

Such actions include, for example, counting windows, turning lights off and on, constantly checking the door, stove, arranging things in a specific order, frequently washing hands (apartments), and so on.

There are also many who use mental rituals associated with pronouncing certain words, self-persuasion, or constructing images according to a specific pattern. People do such rituals because it seems to them that if everything is done exactly (as needed), then terrible thoughts will go away, and the first time they use it, it really helps them.

As I wrote earlier, the main cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder is people’s harmful beliefs, which are often acquired in childhood, and then everything is reinforced by emotional addiction.

Such beliefs and beliefs primarily include:

Thought is material - when unwanted thoughts come to mind, there is a fear that they will come true, for example, “what if I hurt someone if I think about it.”

The belief of perfectionists is that everything must be perfect and mistakes cannot be made.

Suspiciousness – belief in amulets and evil eyes, a tendency to exaggerate (catastrophize) any more or less possible danger.

Hyperresponsibility (I must control everything) - when a person believes that he is responsible not only for himself, but also for the appearance of thoughts and images in his head, as well as for the actions of other people.

Beliefs associated with the internal assessment of any phenomena and situations: “good - bad”, “right - wrong” and others.

Manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

So, let's look at all the most common manifestations of OCD in life.

1. Constant hand washing

Obsessive thoughts and desire to wash your hands frequently (for a long time) (bathroom, apartment), use protective hygiene products everywhere, wear gloves due to fear of infection (contamination).

Real example. As a child, one woman was frightened by her mother, who was anxious by nature, with a good intention - to warn her daughter - with worms. As a result, fear stuck in the child’s psyche to such an extent that, having matured, the woman learned everything she could about worms: from the stages of reproduction, how and where one can catch it, to the symptoms of infection. She tried to protect herself from the slightest possibility of infection. However, knowledge did not help her catch the infection and, on the contrary, her fear worsened and grew into a constant and alarming suspicion.

Please note that the risk of infection in modern life with frequent examinations, hygiene and good conditions life is small, nevertheless, it is this fear as a risk to life, and not other possible threats, even more probable ones, that has become constant and main for a woman.

This can also include an obsession with cleaning around the house, where fear of germs or a disturbing feeling of “uncleanliness” manifests itself.

In general, you can teach a child to fear everything, even God, if you raise him in religion and often say: “Don’t do this and that, otherwise God will punish you.” This often happens that children are taught to live in fear, shame and before God (life, people), and not in freedom and love for God and the entire world (universe).

3. Obsessive checking of actions (control)

Also a common manifestation of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here people check many times whether the doors are locked, whether the stove is turned off, etc. Such repeated checks, to convince themselves that everything is in order, arise out of anxiety for the safety of themselves or their loved ones.

And often a person is driven by an anxious feeling that I did something wrong, missed something, didn’t finish it and am not in control; the thought may arise: “what if I did something terrible, but I don’t remember and don’t know how to check it.” Background (chronic) anxiety simply suppresses a person's will.

4. Obsessive counting

Some people with obsessive-compulsive disorder count everything that catches their eye: how many times the lights are turned off, the number of steps or blue (red) cars that have passed, etc. The main reasons for this behavior are superstitions (suspiciousness) associated with the fear that if I don’t do it exactly or don’t count the exact number of times, then something bad might happen. This also includes an attempt to escape from some disturbing, intrusive thoughts.

People “by counting”, without realizing it, pursue main goal- to extinguish the pressing anxiety, but in their minds it seems to them that by doing the ritual they will protect themselves from some consequences. Most realize that all this is unlikely to help them in any way, but trying not to do the ritual, the anxiety intensifies, and they again begin to count, wash their hands, turn the light on and off, etc.

5. Total correctness and organization

The same is a common form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. People with this obsession are able to bring organization and order to perfection. For example, in the kitchen everything should be symmetrical and on shelves, otherwise I feel internal, emotional discomfort. The same applies to any work or even eating.

In a state of severe anxiety, a person ceases to take into account the interests of others, like other negative emotions, aggravate a person’s selfishness, and therefore affects close people.

6. Obsessive-compulsive dissatisfaction with one's appearance

Dysmorphophobia, when a person believes that he has some kind of serious external defect (ugliness), is also classified as obsessive-compulsive disorder.

People, for example, can stare for hours until they like their facial expression or some part of their body, as if their life directly depends on it, and only by liking themselves can they calm down somewhat.

In another case, it is avoiding looking in the mirror for fear of seeing one’s “flaws.”

7.Beliefs of wrongness and feelings of incompleteness.

It happens that some people are oppressed by a feeling of incompleteness, when it seems that something is not good enough or that something has not been completed; in such a situation, they can shift things from place to place many times until, finally, they are satisfied with the result.

And believers (although not only them) very often encounter the “wrongness” and “obscenity” of their thoughts. Something comes to their mind, in their opinion, obscene (blasphemous), and they are absolutely convinced that thinking (imagining) like that is a sin, I shouldn’t have people like that. And as soon as they start thinking like that, the problem immediately grows. Others may even have fear associated with words, such as black, devil, blood.

8.Compulsive overeating (in brief)

Most often, the causes of compulsive overeating are psychological factors associated with society, when a person is ashamed of his figure, experiences negative emotions, and food, often sweet, unconsciously tries to extinguish unpleasant feelings, and this works to a certain extent, but it affects the appearance.

Psychological (personal) problems - depression, anxiety, boredom, dissatisfaction with some areas of your life, uncertainty, constant nervousness and inability to control your emotions - often lead to compulsive overeating.

Best regards, Andrey Russkikh

OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder. We are talking about neurosis associated with obsessive states. Habits that occur in many people and are even considered useful can cross an invisible line, turning into real mental disorders that prevent a person from living a normal life and require psychotherapeutic help.

OCD involves neurosis accompanied by obsessive-compulsive disorder

Along with phobias, OCD is classified as an obsessive disorder (phobias and compulsions are part of the structure of this syndrome), but unlike phobic manifestations, they include obsessions (obsession) and compulsions (compulsion).

Most often, this disease occurs between the ages of 10 and 35. Several years may pass from the onset of the disease to the appearance of its initial severe symptoms. Among adults, OCD occurs in every third person (in a more or less pronounced form); among children, every second person in five thousand is affected.

At first, the person realizes the irrationality of his obsessive state, but if there is no psychological and, perhaps, medical care he does not receive it, further exacerbation of this disorder occurs. The patient is no longer able to adequately assess the situation.

Causes of neurosis

Name the exact factors leading to the occurrence of the described mental illness, scientists fail. But most theories agree that the reasons may lie in:

• impaired metabolism;
• traumatic brain injuries;
• genetic predisposition;
• complications of infectious diseases;
• dysfunction of the autonomic system.

It should be noted the likelihood of such causes of obsessive-compulsive neurosis:

• strict rules of upbringing (often related to religion);
• lack of normal relationships with colleagues and superiors at work;
• regular stress.

The driver for the development of panic fear can be a negative experience or an experience imposed by social circumstances.

Often, such troubles begin with people who have reviewed crime news reports. To overcome emerging fears, the patient takes actions that, in his opinion, prove the opposite:

• double-checks whether he has locked the apartment a dozen times;
• Counts banknotes received from an ATM more than once;
• washes his hands intensively, despite the fact that they have been clean for a long time.

But these actions, performed by a person as rituals, do not help - with their help it is possible to achieve only short-term relief.

Over time, the disease can literally “consume” human psyche. Children have to deal with this disease less often than adults. The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder depend, not least of all, on the age of the patient.

“Rituals” performed by OCD patients bring only temporary relief

Symptoms of the disorder

The diagnosis of OCD suggests different types of this disorder, but their overall clinical picture is almost the same. First of all, we're talking about about painful thoughts and fantasies associated with:

• sexual violence;
• imminent death;
• loss of financial well-being, etc.

Even realizing the groundlessness of such ideas, the patient still cannot free himself from them. It seems to him that these fantasies will one day become reality.

The main symptoms of this mental disorder associated with repetition of the same movements. Some people count steps everywhere, others never tire of washing their hands several dozen times a day. It’s hard for others around you—colleagues, friends, and relatives—to ignore this behavior.

Often people who have OCD syndrome, the workplace is kept in perfect order: the symmetrical placement of all objects catches the eye. Books in a bookcase can be sorted by alphabetical order or color.

When the patient finds himself in a crowd, the signs of his distress intensify and panic attacks begin. There may be a fear of infection with some terrible virus, fear of losing personal belongings or having them stolen. Respectively, public places such people should visit as rarely as possible.

Possible decrease in self-esteem. In general, suspicious individuals often have to suffer from compulsive-obsessive disorder: with a tendency to control everything they do, they suddenly realize that certain changes are taking place and they have no way to influence it.

Childhood neurosis

Obsessive neurosis rarely occurs in children. There are several examples:

• Fear of suddenly being alone in a crowd - because of this, the child clings tightly to the adult’s hand, testing the strength of the grip of the fingers.
• Fear of ending up in an orphanage (often due to the fact that parents or older brothers scare children with the orphanage as an incentive to do or not do something).
• Panic caused lost item. Some children even wake up at night to count their belongings and school supplies.

Signs of this disease in children include:

• gloominess;
• tearfulness;
• bad mood;
• loss of appetite;
• bad dream.

Some symptoms are rare, others are repeated more often. Parents who observe such signs in their children should seek help from a psychotherapist.

Diagnosis: visit to the doctor

People suffering from obsessions and compulsions do not always suspect their own illnesses. However, those around them - relatives, acquaintances, colleagues - should carefully point this out to them: they should not expect that the illness will go away on its own.

Diagnosis can only be carried out by a professional psychologist. The diagnosis of OCD and determination of the degree of the disorder is made using special rating scales, which can be deciphered by a qualified specialist.

OCD should be treated by a qualified physician

Here's what the therapist should pay attention to first:

• The presence of pronounced obsessive obsessions (which are already a sign of a disorder).
• Signs of compulsive neurosis, which the patient, nevertheless, tries to hide.
• Disruption of the normal rhythm of life.
• Difficulty communicating with colleagues and friends.

Symptoms are considered significant for accurate diagnosis if they recur 50 percent of the time over a couple of weeks.

The doctor examines the patient, talks with him, gives special tests and makes a diagnosis. He must explain to the person:

• what does obsessive-compulsive disorder mean?
• by what symptoms can it be identified?
• what are the causes of this problem;
• what should be the treatment – ​​medication and psychological.

You should not think that the disease is incurable - in fact, many people manage to successfully cope with disorders and return to normal life, not burdened by obsessive states.

Is it possible to cure the described disease at home? Theoretically, it is possible to cope with a problem if it is detected at a very early stage of development, the patient himself recognizes it, accepts it and does everything necessary to recover.

Here are therapy options that you can do yourself:

• Learn more about OCD, its symptoms and causes. There is specialized literature for this, the Internet (this site, in particular). Write down symptoms that cause particular concern. Developing a strategy to deal with these symptoms.
• Look fear straight in the eye. Most patients are aware of the irrationality of obsessive states, their “fictional” nature. And if you want to wash your hands again or check if the door is closed, you need to remind yourself of the futility of such actions and psychologically force yourself not to perform them.
• You should praise yourself for every successful step, even if it was insignificant.

Although, of course, it is better to contact a qualified medical psychotherapy specialist. There may be some difficulties at the first visit to the doctor, but once he makes a diagnosis, prescribes treatment, everything will be much easier.

Some folk remedies help patients calm down: these are decoctions of lemon balm, valerian and other sedative herbs.

Breathing exercises are also considered useful. All that is required is to correctly change the force of breathing. Gradually it restores normal emotional condition and makes a person’s assessment of everything that happens in his life more sober and adequate.

Psychotherapeutic methods

Based on OCD symptoms, doctors may prescribe the following treatment options:

• Cognitive-behavioral techniques. Developed by Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz. First, a person must realize that he has a disorder, and then begin to resist. Gradually, the patient acquires skills that enable him to cope with obsessions on his own.
• "Stopping Thought" The author of this method is Joseph Volpe. The patient recalls a recent attack of OCD, and himself determines its significance for his life (thanks to the psychotherapist’s leading questions). Gradually the patient must understand how unrealistic all his fears are.

There are other therapeutic methods, but the above are considered the most effective and in demand.

Psychotherapists use different methods in the treatment of OCD

Treatment with medications

When it comes to drug treatment for OCD, doctors most often prescribe serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In particular, this applies to Paroxetine, Fluvoxamine, tricyclic antidepressants.

Scientists continue to study obsessive emotions in this disease, including hatred and aggression. Today you can read in sufficient detail about this disorder on Wikipedia and view many information articles on this site.

That ongoing research is not in vain is proven by new discoveries by researchers in this area: for example, agents that release the neurotransmitter glutamate can perform a therapeutic function. Thanks to them, neurotic manifestations are softened. True, complete recovery cannot be achieved in this way. These agents can be found in Lamotrigine and Memantine.

Antidepressants help, but only to cope with the symptoms: they relieve tension and relieve neurosis.

By the way, almost all of these medications are sold in pharmacies, but they are available with a prescription. One way or another, you should not prescribe them yourself - this should be done by a doctor, based on the current condition of the patient and his individual characteristics. The duration of this syndrome is also important: the doctor should find out when exactly the OCD began.

There are many effective psychotherapeutic methods for treating obsessive-compulsive disorders, but often medication is indispensable.

Rehabilitation after treatment

When the course of treatment is completed, the patient still requires social rehabilitation. Without normal adaptation, OCD symptoms will return again.

Therapeutic activities carried out for support are associated with training in productive interaction with work colleagues, relatives, and society. It is important that relatives and friends help you rehabilitate.

Rehabilitation is not just one event, but a whole set of procedures aimed at enabling a person to adapt to everyday life, control his own behavior, and become sufficiently self-confident.

It is important for loved ones to support a person who is being treated and recovered from OCD.

In psychiatry, OCD today is given a lot of attention, since the danger of such disorders cannot be underestimated, nor can their treatment be delayed. The sooner a person finds out (most often those around him tell him about it) that he has obsessive-compulsive disorder, consults a doctor and begins treatment, the more opportunities he has to cope with all this faster, easier and without consequences.

It is impossible to make an OCD diagnosis based on one or two facts. It is important to understand whether a person is suffering from mental disorders or is simply scared or upset. Unpleasant thoughts, excitement, and anxiety are also common in completely healthy people.

What is obsessive compulsive disorder?

Psychiatrists classify OCD as an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Healthy man able to brush aside doubts and anxious thoughts. Anyone who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder does not have this opportunity. Disturbing ideas torment him, forcing him to think about them again and again. Such thoughts in OCD cannot be controlled or gotten rid of, which causes severe stress. To cope with anxiety, a person has to perform certain rituals.

Thus, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder) includes two phases: obsessions - anxious, obsessive thoughts; and compulsions - special actions that help drive them away for a short time.

In a mild form, the diagnosis of OCD causes almost no inconvenience to a person and does not interfere with work performance. But over time, the number of compulsions and obsessive states increases, and the disease becomes chronic. And for a patient diagnosed with OCD, due to the abundance of anxious thoughts and the rituals that follow, it will become difficult to maintain social and personal life.

What obsessive thoughts do people diagnosed with OCD suffer from most often?

Examples of possible compulsions:

• Fear of infections. Constant desire to wash hands or wipe with disinfectant. Wearing gloves. Wiping surfaces that will come into contact. Shower many times a day.
• Morbid passion for symmetry and order. The requirement that everything be in its place, according to ranking. Correction of even slightly asymmetrical structures. Strong emotional stress when order and symmetry are violated.
• Fear of harm. A person diagnosed with OCD tries not to remain alone or face-to-face with a person whom, according to an obsession, he is capable of harming. Hides potentially dangerous objects: kitchen knives, soldering irons, hammers, axes.
• Control of possible hazards. Carrying with you protective equipment(bricks, gas canisters) - out of fear of being robbed. Or checking gas valves and sockets where electrical appliances are connected several times.
• Trying to plan everything. Constantly double-checking your pockets, briefcase, bag to see if all the things you might need are in place.
• Superstitions. A person diagnosed with OCD can cast a spell to put on lucky clothes important meetings, look in the mirror if you forgot something at home. In a one-time use, good luck items and words can boost self-esteem. But if they do not work, the OCD sufferer increases the number of compulsions to pathological levels.
• Mental violations of religious doctrines. After thinking something that seems blasphemous, a person diagnosed with OCD spends his nights in prayer or gives every last penny to the church.
• Erotic thoughts which seem unacceptable. Fearing to do something indecent or rude, the patient denies intimacy to his loved one.

It would seem that illiterate people should be so superstitious or suspicious. However, as Wikipedia assures, patients diagnosed with OCD mostly have a high level of intelligence. The Wiki also states that OCD was identified as a separate disease in psychiatry in 1905, but the ancient Greeks and Romans also suffered from the disease.

Did you know that small children are also diagnosed with OCD? They may also suffer from compulsive disorders. In their case, fear of getting lost, fear of being abandoned by parents, and forgetting something important at school are more common.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder:

Compulsive disorder is somewhat reminiscent of a religious ritual. This response to an obsessive thought can be physical (checking gas valves or disinfecting hands) or mental (casting a spell). Also possible if diagnosed with OCD avoidance behavior – attempts to get away from an alarming situation.

Characteristic signs of OCD that should be considered when making a diagnosis:

• The patient realizes that he himself generates obsessive ideas. He does not suffer from otherworldly voices.
• A person tries to fight back obsessive thoughts, but to no avail.
• Obsessions frighten the patient and cause feelings of guilt and shame. In serious cases, a person diagnosed with OCD refuses social activities and may lose their job and family.
• The state of “obsession” is often repeated.

People who want to control everything, or those who could not survive childhood, are more often susceptible to such a disorder. psychological trauma. Less common triggers for OCD are physical influences and head injuries.

Some psychiatrists divide this neurosis into two subtypes:

When diagnosed with OPD, patients recognize the presence of obsessive thoughts. But they are sure that they do not perform rituals. This is not always true. Possibly hidden compulsive behavior. Patients themselves may not be aware of the ritual: some kind of convulsive movement - shaking the head, shaking the leg, snapping the fingers.

What Causes OCD?

Globally, three out of 100 adults and two out of 500 children are diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

A diagnosis of OCD requires mandatory therapy. Scientists can only talk about risk factors for the syndrome. But it is impossible to immediately identify the diagnosis of OCD and eliminate the cause, thereby alleviating the patient’s condition.

What physiological factors can trigger compulsive disorder?

• Heredity – the disease can be transmitted through generations. If one of your grandparents was diagnosed with OCD, your risk of developing the disease increases.
• Neurological diseases. Most often, they are caused by a metabolic disorder that causes problems in the functioning of neurons.
• Consequences of infectious and autoimmune diseases, head injuries.

According to research by psychiatrists, a decrease in the level of serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine in brain tissue can also lead to a diagnosis of OCD.

Behavioral psychology suggests that any repeated action is easier to reproduce later. This law explains the reason for the progression of the OCD diagnosis and the likelihood of obsessive behavior in the future.

People most susceptible to the development of neurosis are those who are in a state of stress and depression - when moving, new beginnings, loss of loved ones, overwork. Two-thirds of patients diagnosed with OCD experienced some form of stress.

Other reasons psychological nature disorders are more often related to childhood trauma. This upbringing was too harsh - religious, militarized. Or family relationships caused serious psychological trauma, which resulted in a diagnosis of OCD in adulthood.

Impressionable people who are prone to exaggeration are more at risk of developing OCD.

An example could be a young mother who, against a background of fatigue and stress, begins to be afraid of harming her baby. This results in a diagnosis of “OCD”: pathological cleaning, endless checking of equipment, various prayers and spells.

Why are more and more people being diagnosed with this and why is the disease progressing?

In compulsive disorders, anxiety always occurs first. It gives way to an obsessive thought, then the anxiety becomes entrenched. The person remembers an action that temporarily reduces the activity of the neurosis. But the next obsessive state will require more than one repetition of the ritual. The results will be disastrous: loss of time, existence in severe stress mode, loss of social qualities of the individual, even to the point of refusal to interact with other people.

What causes obsessive-compulsive disorder to worsen:

• Poor self-esteem and magical realism. A person suffering from OCD exaggerates his own capabilities and influence on the surrounding reality. He is confident that he can prevent any negative situation with the help of spells, prayers, magical rituals. Temporarily they give the illusion of comfort, but then they require more and more repetitions.
• Perfectionism. Some types of OCD require perfect compliance with certain rules. A person represents an ideal state of life, which must be achieved at any cost. And minor errors or asymmetry will lead to pathological consequences. Often this type of compulsive disorder goes hand in hand with anorexia nervosa.
• Attempts to take control and overestimation of danger. A person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders feels obligated to anticipate any danger. Even one that cannot exist in reality. And compulsions in this case become a kind of insurance. The patient thinks: 25 checks of a closed door will guarantee that thieves will not break into the house. But repeated repetitions only increase the feeling of anxiety and uncertainty.

Avoiding a situation or ritual will only make your OCD worse. After all, trying to avoid getting into a dangerous situation leads to constant thinking about how best to do it and to a feeling of one’s own abnormality. Relatives who prohibit rituals, mock the patient, and call him crazy can also worsen the situation.

However, the diagnosis “OCD” does not apply to mental illnesses - this illness does not change personality traits. But it can seriously ruin the patient’s life.

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder:

Obsession can be treated at home if the disease has not gone too far and the diagnosis is made on time. Analyze your condition - whether you can cope with the problem on your own.

1. Accept the diagnosis of OCD as a part, a feature of your psyche.
2. Make a list of the signs of OCD that you observe in yourself.
3. Read all the relevant psychological literature on the diagnosis and treatment of OCD and make a plan for getting rid of the disease.
4. Ask family and friends for help. People are biased in their diagnosis, so someone should double-check your “alarming” list of OCD symptoms.
5. Accept the unreality of your fears. You should always remember this when you are tempted to perform a ritual. One of simple ways get rid of anxiety - imagine what will happen if the fear comes true. Will you survive? So why rituals?!
6. Support yourself with praise and even nice prizes and gifts. Encouragements will reinforce the idea: you are stronger than worries and are able to overcome them.

Additionally, to get rid of the diagnosis of OCD, you can use breathing exercises and traditional medicine. Sedative decoctions and tinctures based on motherwort, mint, peony, lemon balm, and valerian will help. For OCD, you can use aromatic oils such as: lavender, orange, bergamot, rose, ylang-ylang.

If you cannot cope with the diagnosis of OCD on your own, you need to see a doctor, and this is imperative so as not to worsen your situation.

Which doctor should I contact?

See a psychotherapist for help, psychotherapy without additional intake medications leads to the cure of OCD in 70 cases out of 100. When correcting the disorder without medications, the effect will be more lasting, and side effects- none.

How to treat OCD without pharmaceuticals? The following techniques will help:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Hypnotic effect.
• EMDR therapy.
• Strategic short-term psychotherapy.

Each of these OCD treatments is aimed at breaking the cycle of anxiety, obsessive behavior and attempts to avoid an unpleasant situation. Attention may be focused on reducing the discomfort of obsessive moments, on counteracting negative thoughts, or on changing the response to the urge to repeat the ritual. Group psychotherapy is useful - it will make it clear that you are not the only person diagnosed with OCD in the Universe and are not crazy at all.

Physiotherapy - massage, swimming, relaxing baths - will help reduce anxiety.

Medications for a diagnosis of OCD are prescribed if psychotherapeutic methods do not help. These include serotonin reuptake antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics. For physiological causes of the disease, special drugs are prescribed to help cure them. They combine psychotherapy with medication for a diagnosis of OCD in cases where it is necessary to quickly relieve an acute condition.

In order to prevent obsessive-compulsive disorder, we recommend:

1. This includes regular medical examinations.
2. Taking vitamins.
3. Maximum avoidance stressful situations and overwork.
4. Classes of relaxing practices - yoga, qigong, meditation.

An accurate diagnosis of OCD can only be made by specialists in the field of psychiatry.

Are you still carrying hand sanitizer? Is your wardrobe literally sorted into shelves? Such habits may be a reflection of a person's character or beliefs. Sometimes they cross an invisible line and become obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). Let's look at the main reasons for their appearance and the treatment methods offered by doctors.

Description of the disease

OCD is a mental disorder that affects a person's quality of life. Experts classify it as a phobia. If the latter include only obsessions, then compulsions are added to OCD.

The name of the disease comes from two English words: obsessio and compulsio. The first means "obsession with an idea", and the second can be interpreted as "compulsion". These two words were chosen successfully and succinctly, since they reflect the entire essence of the disease. People suffering from OCD are considered disabled in some countries. Most of them spend a lot of time mindlessly due to compulsions. Obsessions are often expressed as phobias, which also negatively affects the patient’s quality of life.

How does the disease begin?

According to medical statistics, obsessive-compulsive disorder develops between 10 and 30 years. Regardless of when exactly its first symptoms appeared, patients turn to the doctor between 27 and 35 years of age. This means that several years pass from the development of the disease to the start of treatment. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder affects one in three adults. There are far fewer small children among the patients. This diagnosis is confirmed in every second child out of 500.

At the initial stage, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the form of obsessive states and various phobias. During this period, a person may still be aware of their irrationality. Over time, in the absence of medication and psychological help, the disorder worsens. The patient loses the ability to adequately evaluate his fears. In advanced cases, treatment involves hospitalization with the use of serious medications.

Main reasons

Scientists still cannot list the main factors contributing to the occurrence of mental illness. However, there are a large number of theories. According to one of them, among biological factors Obsessive-compulsive disorder has the following causes:

• metabolic disorder;
• head injuries and injuries;
• hereditary predisposition;
• complicated course of infectious diseases;
• deviations at the level of the autonomic nervous system.

Doctors propose to include social causes of the disorder in a separate group. Among them, the most common are the following:

• upbringing in a strict religious family;
• difficult relationships at work;
• frequent stress.

The inherent nature of this mental illness may be based on personal experience or imposed by society. A striking example The consequences of such a disorder is viewing crime news. A person tries to overcome emerging fears with actions that convince them of the opposite. He can double-check a locked machine or count banknotes several times. Such actions bring only short-term relief. It is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of it on your own. In this case, the help of a specialist is required. Otherwise, the disease will completely consume the human psyche.

Both adults and children are susceptible to this disease. However, children are less likely to suffer from its manifestations. Symptoms of the disorder may vary depending on the patient's age.

How does the disease manifest in adults?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, the symptoms of which will be presented to your attention below, has approximately the same clinical picture in all adults. First of all, the disease manifests itself in the form of obsessive, painful thoughts. These may include fantasies about sexual violence or fatal outcome. A person is constantly haunted by the idea of ​​imminent death, loss of financial well-being. Such thoughts terrify the OCD sufferer. He clearly understands their groundlessness. However, he cannot independently cope with fears and superstitions that all his fantasies will one day come true.

The disorder also has external symptoms that are expressed in the form of repetitive movements. For example, such a person can constantly count the steps and wash his hands several times a day. Manifestations of the disease are often noted by colleagues and co-workers. People suffering from OCD always have perfect order on their desks, with all objects arranged symmetrically. Books on the shelves are arranged either alphabetically or by color.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by a tendency to worsen in crowded places. The patient may experience increased panic attacks even in a crowd. Most often, they are caused by the fear of catching a dangerous virus or losing personal belongings, becoming another victim of pickpockets. Therefore, such people tend to avoid public places.

Sometimes the syndrome is accompanied by a decrease in self-esteem. OCD is a disorder that is especially susceptible to suspicious individuals. They have a habit of controlling everything, from things at work to the diet of their pets. A decrease in self-esteem occurs due to awareness of the changes taking place and the inability to fight them.

Symptoms in children

OCD is less common in young patients than in adults. The symptoms of the disorder have many similarities. Let's look at a few examples.

1. Even old enough children are often haunted by the fear of getting lost among large quantity people on the street. He forces the children to hold their parents' hands tightly and periodically check whether their fingers are clasped tightly.
2. Many children are scared by older brothers and sisters of being sent to an orphanage. The fear of ending up in this institution forces the child to constantly ask whether his parents love him.
3. Almost all of us have lost personal belongings at least once in our lives. However, not everyone’s worries about this pass without leaving a trace. Panic over a lost notebook often leads to manic counting school supplies. Teenagers may even wake up at night to double-check all their personal belongings.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children is often accompanied by bad mood, gloominess, increased tearfulness. Some people lose their appetite, others are tormented by terrible nightmares at night. If within several weeks all attempts by parents to help their child are unsuccessful, a consultation with a child psychologist is needed.

Diagnostic methods

If you experience symptoms that indicate anxiety obsessive-compulsive disorder, you should seek help from a mental health professional. Often people with OCD are unaware of their problems. In this case, close relatives or friends should very carefully hint at this diagnosis. This disease does not go away on its own.

Its diagnosis can only be made by a psychiatrist who has the appropriate qualifications and experience in this field. Usually the doctor pays attention to three things:

1. The person has pronounced obsessive obsessions.
2. There is compulsive behavior that he wants to hide in any way.
3. OCD interferes with the usual rhythm of life, communication with friends and work.

Symptoms of the disease to have medical significance, should be repeated on at least 50% of days for two weeks.

There are special rating scales (for example, Yale-Brown) to determine the severity of OCD. They are also used in practice to track the dynamics of therapy.

Based on the tests performed and a conversation with the patient, the doctor can confirm the final diagnosis. Typically, during a consultation, psychotherapists explain what obsessive-compulsive disorder is and what manifestations it has. Examples of patients with this disease from show business help to understand that the disease is not so dangerous, it needs to be fought. Also during the consultation, the doctor talks about treatment tactics and when to expect the first positive results.

Can a person help himself?

OCD is a fairly common pathology. It can occur periodically in any person, including absolutely healthy mentally. It is very important to be able to recognize the first symptoms of the disorder and seek qualified help. If this is not possible, you should try to analyze the problem and choose a specific tactic to combat it. Doctors offer several options for self-treatment.

Step 1: Learn what obsessive-compulsive disorder is. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is described in detail in the specialized literature. Therefore, anyone can easily find out its main causes and symptoms. After studying the information, you need to write down all the symptoms that have recently caused concern. Opposite each disorder you need to leave a place for composing detailed plan how it can be overcome.

Step 2. Third party help. If you suspect OCD, it is better to contact a qualified specialist. Sometimes the first visit to the doctor is difficult. In such a situation, you can ask a friend or relative to confirm the previously written symptoms or add others.

Step 3. Look your fears in the eye. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder usually understand that all fears are imaginary. Every time you feel the urge to double-check a locked door or wash your hands, you need to remind yourself of this fact.

Step 4. Reward yourself. Psychologists advise constantly marking steps on the path to success, even the most insignificant ones. You need to praise yourself for the changes you have made and the skills you have acquired.

Psychotherapy methods

OCD is not a death sentence. The disorder responds well to treatment through psychotherapeutic sessions. Modern psychology offers several effective techniques. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

1. The author of this technique belongs to Jeffrey Schwartz. Its essence boils down to resistance to neurosis. A person first realizes the presence of a disorder, and then gradually tries to fight it. Therapy involves acquiring skills that allow you to independently stop obsessions.
2. “Thought stopping” technique. It was developed by Joseph Volpe. The psychotherapist proposed treatment based on the patient's assessment of the situation. To do this, Wolpe recommends that the person remember one of the recent attacks of the disorder. Using guiding questions, he helps the patient evaluate the significance of the symptoms and their impact on daily life. The psychotherapist gradually leads to the realization that fears are unrealistic. This technique allows you to completely overcome the disorder.

The given therapeutic techniques are not the only ones of their kind. However, they are considered the most effective.

Drug treatment

In advanced cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, drug intervention is required. How to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in this case? The main drugs to combat the disease are serotonin reuptake inhibitors:

• "Fluvoxamine."
• Tricyclic antidepressants.
• "Paroxetine."

Scientists from all over the world continue to actively study obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). Relatively recently, they were able to discover therapeutic opportunities in agents that are responsible for the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate. They can significantly mitigate the manifestations of neurosis, but do not help get rid of the problem forever. The following drugs fit this description: Memantine (Riluzole), Lamotrigine (Gabapentin).

Well-known antidepressants for this disorder are used only as a means of eliminating neurosis and stress that arise against the background of obsessive states.

It is worth noting that those listed in the article medicines Available from pharmacies only with a prescription. The choice of a specific medication for treatment is made by the doctor, taking into account the patient’s condition. The duration of the syndrome plays an important role in this matter. Therefore, the doctor must know how long ago the obsessive-compulsive disorder appeared.

Treatment at home

OCD belongs to a group of mental illnesses. Therefore, it is unlikely that it will be possible to cure the disorder without outside support. However, therapy with folk remedies always helps to calm down. For this purpose, healers advise preparing herbal decoctions with sedative properties. These include the following plants: lemon balm, motherwort, valerian.

The method of breathing exercises cannot be considered folk, but it can be successfully used at home. This treatment does not require a prescription or outside specialist support. Therapy by changing the force of breathing allows you to restore your emotional state. As a result, a person can soberly assess everything that happens in his life.

Rehabilitation

After the course of treatment, the patient needs social rehabilitation. Only in case of successful adaptation to society will the symptoms of the disorder not return again. Supportive therapeutic activities are aimed at teaching productive contact with society and relatives. At the rehabilitation stage, help from relatives and friends is of paramount importance.