Obsessive compulsive disorder, which can be defined as the transformation of obsessive thoughts into behavior, is a kind of anxiety disorder.
What is OCD? feels obligated. The most distinctive feature of the disease, which is characterized by repetitive thoughts and behaviors, is the act of thoughts that constantly occupy one's mind at a level that causes the person to waste their time.
In some people, the obsession in the form of fear of catching a disease is seen as constantly washing hands, while in others it is seen in the form of repeatedly checking whether the appliances such as the stove and iron are turned off. Obsessive compulsive disorder, which can start in childhood, is a psychiatric disorder that can have a very severe course. In other words, OCD often begins between the ages of 7 and 12.
Obsessive compulsive disorder, which is more common in males during childhood, is seen at the same rate in males and females when it comes to adolescence. Before moving on to the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder, it is necessary to answer the question "What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?? and continues their daily life. However, some people continue their worries and obsessions even though they know that this situation is not normal. The state of being obsessed, known as an obsession in medicine, can be defined as an idea, thought and / or impulse that the person cannot get rid of. This situation that comes to mind against one's own will Compulsions are repetitive behaviors to reduce or completely eliminate the restlessness and distress caused by obsessions defined as obsessions. obsessive compulsive disorder, doubt obsession and control compulsion. The person is usually on the stove, iron, door or He thinks that he may have left objects such as locks open. To overcome this situation, it checks these objects repeatedly.
In some cases, a person may go down from their home 3-4 times to make sure that the car door is locked. Some people have compulsions related to touch. In this case, the person feels the need to touch an object that is important to him before his actions. This situation, which causes a significant decrease in the quality of life of the person, can even affect the vital activities of the person from time to time. The incidence of this disease, which has been seen more frequently in recent years, is around 3% among adults.
Before moving on to the causes of obsessive compulsive disorder, "What are the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder?" It is necessary to answer the question. What are the Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder may differ socially and culturally. Common obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms are evaluated separately as obsessions and compulsions:
Common symptoms of obsession, which can be defined as thoughts that distress the person, can be listed as follows:
- Symmetry and order urge,
- Perfectionism ,
- Extreme doubt,
- Need for trust,
- Fear of sinful thoughts,
- Afraid of disgrace,
- Anxiety of making mistakes,
- Fear of hurting others,
- Fear of dirt or germs.
- Compulsion symptoms.
- Not shaking hands,
- Not holding the doorknob,
- Constantly washing hands,
- hoarding worthless objects,
- The need to constantly control objects such as locks and irons,
- Eating food in a certain order,
- Repeating certain words,
- Counting numbers while doing routine tasks,
- Ordering things in a certain order.
What are the Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Although the exact cause of the disorder is not known, factors such as genetic causes, childhood traumas, personality traits and serotonin dysregulation It is thought to trigger a mini. People with obsessive compulsive disorder often have a history of OCD in their first-degree relatives. Traumas such as sexual abuse, abuse, loss of a parent and/or domestic violence during childhood are thought to play an important role in the emergence of obsessive compulsive disorder in early childhood.
The fact that a person has personality traits such as being prescriptive, detail-oriented, perfectionist or meticulous is also one of the factors that increase a person's susceptibility to OCD. Neurons that provide brain functions communicate with each other with electrical signals. Ensuring healthy communication depends on chemicals defined as neurotransmitters. Low levels of serotonin, one of these chemicals, are thought to cause obsessive compulsive disorder.
There are studies showing that reactions to infections caused by streptococcal bacteria or physical traumas in childhood may also be associated with obsessive compulsive disorder.
What are the Types of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder there are different types. Common OCD types can be listed as follows:
Contamination or contamination obsession and cleaning compulsion: It is the state of believing that one's clothes and body are contaminated by dirt, germs, dust, detergents or urine, and that they are constantly cleaned.
Doubt. Obsession and control compulsion: It is the situation of checking the objects of concern several times in order to eliminate the anxiety that occurs when the person thinks that the door lock is open or that he has forgotten the iron in the socket. or having images. The person has a hard time getting these thoughts out of their head and is afraid of doing things that might be misunderstood towards others. These are behaviors that can be seen as closing the door or knocking the door 4 times.
How to Treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Most people with obsessive compulsive disorder are aware of this. He knows that his obsessive and repetitive thoughts and actions are compelling and negatively affect his life, but he still cannot control these thoughts and behaviors. These people, who are aware that their thoughts and actions are not normal, keep their illness secret for many years. This prolongs the person's healing process.
OCD patients try to hide their disease for about 10 years before starting treatment. However, if the person wants to get rid of these thoughts and actions, the specialist psychiatrist evaluates the patient and the symptoms he/she shows. After clarification of the diagnosis, treatment is administered individually with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. Antidepressant drugs are commonly used to balance the level of serotonin in the brain in drug therapy. It takes about 3 to 4 months for drug therapy to take effect. During this period, it is extremely important that the drugs are not discontinued considering that they do not work, and that they continue to be used with the dose and duration recommended by the physician.
Using drugs for a long time after the person feels good prevents the recurrence of obsessive compulsive disorder. Therefore, drug use should not be stopped without consulting a doctor. In cognitive behavior therapy, on the other hand, the person is confronted with the underlying feelings such as fear in order to prevent the person's thoughts and actions. Thus, it is ensured that the person is removed from obsessive behaviors.
The therapy sessions, which are mostly done in weekly periods, continue for approximately 12 to 20 sessions. The practice of the work done during the session in daily life increases the success of the therapy. With the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, the quality of life of the person increases. Accordingly, the social and professional life of the person improves significantly.
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