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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder


SwanPedia - OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental disorder that encourages sufferers to take repeated actions or their thoughts are not controlled in order to reduce anxiety in their minds. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a form of mental disorder that can be experienced by children and adults. Women are 1.6 times more likely to experience OCD than men.

OCD is characterized by unwanted thought patterns and fears (obsessions) that make sufferers suffer. doing things repeatedly (compulsions) aims to prevent and reduce anxiety due to obsessions. Usually, compulsive acts are carried out excessively and unrealistically with the problem wanting to be fixed immediately. Of course, these obsessions and compulsions can interfere with daily life. Can OCD be contagious? OCD is not a contagious and dangerous disease and can be cured through therapy.

Causes and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder:

  1. Fear of getting dirty, fear of touching objects that are lying or have been touched by other people
  2. For both children and adults, OCD involves worrying and excessive thinking about something
  3. Doubts are difficult to tolerate the uncertainty of checking repeatedly, for example doubting whether to lock the door or turn off the stove.
  4. Everything must be orderly and symmetrical, for example, stress or irritation from seeing things messy
  5. Repetitive things about certain sounds, pictures, words, or numbers.
  6. Thoughts of wanting to hurt yourself or others, for example wanting to crash a vehicle into other people.
  7. Repeating words or sentences silently so as not to say them wrong.
  8. Thoughts or aggression, for example, wanting to say dirty words in front of others
  9. Avoiding something obsessive, such as shaking hands with other people.
  10. Imagine hurting themselves or others.
  11. Store newspapers, letters, and certain containers even when you don't need them.

There are several risk factors for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

  • Genetic Factors


The level of kinship affects a person is affected by OCD or not. Kinship has the potential to pass on OCD disease. Kinship means close first-degree relatives such as family, namely father, mother, or siblings who suffer from the same obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  • Biological Factors


Research shows OCD is associated with low serotonin levels which cause mood swings such as irritability. Then abnormalities in the orbitofrontal cortex that affect emotions and abnormalities in the basal ganglia in the brain that are responsible for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  • Psychological Factors


People who are easily anxious, perfectionists, or like to keep things clean and tidy are prone to suffer from OCD.

  • Experiencing life events that may be stressful.

How to deal with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

  • Cognitive


Therapy Cognitive therapy is considered therapy to treat OCD. Cognitive therapy is therapy that focuses on changing negative thoughts or beliefs. Most studies say cognitive techniques in OCD sufferers will have a greater effect if they are accompanied by behavioral improvement techniques, such as giving homework.

So cognitive therapy is suitable for people with OCD is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Usually, the patient will do something he has always avoided. For example, a psychologist will ask a person who is afraid of dirt to touch the ground, then teach them how to overcome that fear.

Well, cognitive behavioral therapy is done individually or in groups. And although this therapy may sound scary to the sufferer, the patient's anxiety will gradually decrease over time according to the amount of therapy he undergoes.

  • Treatment


Consumption of drugs that have been prescribed by a psychiatrist and not a psychologist. Psychiatrists give antidepressant drugs according to the needs and diagnosis of OCD sufferers. The use of drugs is intended so that people with OCD can perform activities well by reducing their OCD.

Some antidepressant drugs are often given:

  • Clomipramine (Anafranil).
  • Fluvoxamine (Luvox CR).
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac).
  • Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva).
  • Sertraline (Zoloft).
  • Citalopram.Escitalopram.

Try to reduce compulsive behavior in yourself


Like checking to see if your washing machine is dead multiple times, allow yourself to check it only every once in a while although it won't be easy to break the habit until you can afford to check it only once.

Home remedies for people with OCD

  1. Take medication from the doctor as recommended. Don't stop taking your medication without your doctor's orders, even if you feel better than usual.
  2. Learn and practice certain skill techniques to help control OCD symptoms as taught by the therapist.
  3. Watch for any changes in you that are signs that symptoms are about to appear. Ask your doctor what to do if these signs occur.
  4. Do activities that you enjoy and are healthy for, such as going out for fun and recreation.
  5. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.
  6. Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol.
  7. Keep doing normal activities, such as work, school, and socializing with family and friends.