Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder have thoughts and worries that they cannot control. In order to control these thoughts and worries, patients perform obsessive rituals. These obsessions, called compulsions, cause patients to constantly engage in the same behaviors.

This obsessive state that patients experience is extremely disturbing both for themselves and the people around them. Because the anxiety and tension experienced by patients can only be overcome with these rituals that they repeat. Therefore, it becomes an obligation for them to perform these rituals. If they do not perform their rituals, they are fully convinced that the situation they are worried about will happen. There is usually no significant correlation between patients' obsessions and their worries.

If patients try to ignore or prevent these rituals, their thoughts and concerns much more and more. Therefore, if their anxiety increases, patients begin to push themselves harder to perform their rituals. The more patients exert themselves, the more their daily lives are hindered and their quality of life is reduced.

Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The most characteristic symptoms of OCD are self-compulsion and obsessions. On the other hand, it is also possible to see only obsessions in these patients. Since obsessions and compulsions are very visible in OCD patients, diagnosis is also very easy.

Basically, it is the rituals that OCD patients have that allow them to control their deep anxieties. In this way, they aim to overcome the worries or thoughts they have.

OCD is a recurrent illness. Patients constantly have unwanted thoughts, impulses, distress and worries. Patients who have these thoughts and concerns They can force themselves to ignore the effects. These behaviors by patients can lead to a worsening of their condition.

Patients' symptoms can get much worse if they are under stress. OCD, which is usually a lifelong disorder, can have mild to moderate symptoms. Symptoms seen in OCD patients may be as follows.

• Repeating a prayer, word or song over and over again,
• Counting numbers with certain patterns,
• Rechecking things that are known to be closed,
• Counting objects,
• Don't shower all the time,
• Don't be afraid of germs,
• Excessive rigor,
• Continuous hand washing,
• Not shaking hands,
• Objects stay organized,
• Inability to make contact with objects touched by others,
• Thoughts of harm,
• Thoughts that loved ones will be harmed,
• Being organized and symmetrical,
• Fear of contamination,

Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The causes of OCD are not known exactly. However, studies show that environmental and biological factors are effective on OCD.

Environmental Factors

Some people with OCD is influenced by environmental stressors. Some situations that patients have experienced in their lives that may cause serious stress can cause OCD. On the other hand, the stresses and serious changes that patients experience in their lives also cause OCD worsening. Environmental factors that cause OCD to increase and develop are usually the following.

• Anxieties in the relationship,
• Changes or problems with work and school,
• The death or separation of a loved one,
• Illness,
• Harassment
• Change of living situation,

Biological Factors

OCD patients have overactivity in certain areas of their brain. In fact, these regions become more active during periods of attacks. The reason for this change is the imbalance of neurotransmitters.

How is Obsessive Compulsive Diagnosis Made?

There is no test or imaging system used to diagnose OCD. For this reason, OCD is diagnosed based on the history and symptoms of the patients. During the examinations carried out by specialists, patients' patterns of thought, behavior and emotion are examined and their symptoms are evaluated.

OCD can sometimes be difficult to diagnose in some patients. In addition to having similar symptoms with anxiety disorder, schizophrenia or depression, the fact that patients have both OCD and other mental illnesses are among the factors that make it difficult to make the diagnosis.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment Methods

If OCD is left untreated, it can be difficult for patients to recover spontaneously. Symptoms may even worsen. It is therefore very important to treat patients. In order to effectively treat OCD or control symptoms, both medication and therapies need to be combined.

Behavior Therapy

It is a treatment method aimed at changing the behaviors and thinking styles exhibited by OCD patients. The aim of the treatment is to help patients face the causes of their anxiety without coercive behavior.

Medication Therapy

OCD patients may be helped by medication to increase the serotonin hormone secreted in their brains.