OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is a psychological condition characterized by compulsive thoughts that lead to repetitive, ritualized behaviors.
OCD sufferers often double check their locks and wear their lucky socks (or socks with lucky patterns on them) on sporting events, or even just to make themselves feel better on a regular basis. The compulsions can range from a desire to check every surface in the house (from the closet to the bedspread) in order to make certain they haven’t left a key behind, or even have one’s car key changed out of a color that he/she doesn’t normally wear. Compulsive behavior usually occurs when the individual with OCD feels anxiety over specific situations, which in turn leads to a series of compulsive thoughts and behaviors, including:
OCD is often treated with psychotherapy or medications. Some medications are used to alleviate OCD symptoms; however, these medications are not a substitute for therapy. A qualified therapist can help you work through your compulsions and fears and help you gain a more realistic view of life. Once you have worked through your compulsions, you can then learn how to deal with the stress that they cause. Many people with OCD can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, also called CBT, which works to change the way your brain functions and how you think about things.
OCD treatment usually involves psychotherapy with a qualified therapist. These treatments involve talking through your thoughts and behaviors, trying to understand your reasons for acting the way you do and coming to terms with your fears. Your therapist can help you develop a plan for dealing with OCD and the stresses that may be associated with it. The main goal of treatment is to get you to a point where you can be able to cope with stress without having OCD in control.
Treatment for OCD should include psychotherapy and possibly medication. It is not uncommon to find that medications are prescribed to combat specific aspects of OCD, such as obsessive thoughts or compulsions, especially if the OCD sufferer has been unable to overcome their anxiety on their own.
OCD is often confused with depression.
This is because of the fact that some people have been known to experience a number of symptoms in addition to those associated with OCD. such as a sudden mood swings, anxiety, or fatigue. depending on the person and the intensity of the OCD. Although many people with OCD feel as though they cannot change their behaviors, they can learn to cope with the stress that comes along with the condition. and deal with the stresses that come with it. Many people who deal with OCD find that their anxiety goes away and that way once they learn coping skills that help them deal with the stress. These people can be very positive and outgoing and can feel less anxious about many things, but they need to be able to accept that there may be things in their life that are out of their control.
One of the most common ways to handle the stress of living with OCD is to avoid the source of stress that is causing your Obsessive thoughts. Obsessions are usually caused by an irrational fear, such as a fear of losing control of your environment, going crazy, or losing control of your finances, while the stress that comes with OCD is usually caused by a negative thought pattern, such as: “my house is broken down and the streets are scary.”
The treatment for OCD will vary depending on the individual person, but it can include therapies that address your fears and anxieties, coping skills that help you identify and overcome the causes of your compulsive behavior, and finally, cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps you learn new ways of thinking about the things that you were afraid of in the past. which is why OCD starts, in the first place. The treatments that are available will vary, as does the severity of the condition. If the disorder is mild, you may be able to treat it by yourself, using natural methods that do not involve medication, or you may opt to work with a mental health professional, as they will have more resources to help you deal with your OCD.
Since OCD is one of the more serious forms of compulsive disorders, you should talk to your doctor or psychiatrist to determine if a medication would be the best option for you. In most cases, it is a good idea to try an alternative treatment first before making a decision, just to make sure.