However, if you have a persistent, unwanted and unpleasant thought that dominates your thinking to the extent it interrupts other thoughts, you may have developed an obsession. They do not repeatedly think about worries they know have little substance. Most people are able to put these types of thoughts and concerns into context, and they can carry on with their day-to-day life. temporary relief – the compulsive behaviour brings temporary relief from anxiety, but the obsession and anxiety soon return, causing the cycle to begin againĪlmost everyone has unpleasant or unwanted thoughts at some point in their life, such as a concern that they may have forgotten to lock the door of the house or that they may contract a disease from touching other people, or even sudden unwelcome violent or offensive mental images.compulsion – repetitive behaviours or mental acts that you feel driven to perform as a result of the anxiety and distress caused by the obsession.anxiety – the obsession provokes a feeling of intense anxiety or distress.obsession – where an unwanted, intrusive and often distressing thought, image or urge repeatedly enters your mind.Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) affects people differently, but usually causes a particular pattern of thought and behaviour. If these treatments aren't effective or your condition is particularly severe, you may need to be referred to a specialist mental health service for treatment. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – this medication can help reduce your symptoms by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain.cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – involving a therapy known as graded exposure with response prevention (ERP), which encourages you to face your fear and let the obsessive thoughts occur without "neutralising" them with compulsions.Many people will eventually be cured of their OCD, or their symptoms will at least be reduced enough that they can enjoy a good quality of life. With treatment, the outlook for OCD is good. If your GP suspects OCD, you may need to be referred to a specialist for an assessment and appropriate treatment. Initially, they will probably ask a number of questions about your symptoms and how they affect you. You should visit your GP if you think you may have OCD. Seeking help is important because it is unlikely your symptoms will improve if left untreated, and they may get worse. It is a long-term health condition like diabetes or asthma, and it is not your fault you have it. However, if you have OCD, there is nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. People with OCD are often reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. The condition typically first starts to significantly interfere with a person's life during early adulthood, although problems can develop at any age. It's estimated around 12 in every 1,000 people in the UK are affected by the condition. Serotonin is a chemical the brain uses to transmit information from one brain cell to another. Studies have also shown people with OCD have an imbalance of serotonin in their brain. In some cases the condition may run in families, and may be linked to certain inherited genes that affect the brain's development.īrain imaging studies have shown the brains of some people with OCD can be different from the brains of people who do not have the condition.įor example, there may be increased activity in certain areas of the brain, particularly those that deal with strong emotions and the responses to them. It's not clear exactly what causes OCD, although a number of factors have been suggested. Some people with OCD may spend an hour or so a day engaged in obsessive-compulsive thinking and behaviour, but for others the condition can completely take over their life. OCD symptoms can range from mild to severe. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity.Īn obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters a person's mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.Ī compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that someone feels they need to carry out to try to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.įor example, someone with a fear of their house being burgled may feel they need to check all the windows and doors are locked several times before they can leave the house.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |