Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental illness that involves obsessive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions). The symptoms are often intense and disruptive.

OCD is a serious condition, and it can affect your life, work and relationships. It’s important to seek help as soon as you experience any OCD symptoms.

People who develop OCD usually have a family history of the disorder, but they can also get it after an infection or trauma in their childhood. Other factors that increase your risk of developing OCD include high levels of stress or anxiety, which can make it hard to cope with obsessions and compulsions.

The exact cause of OCD isn’t known, but it is thought to be caused by genetics and brain changes in the frontal cortex and subcortical structures of the brain. Some studies have linked OCD to a lack of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and sleep.

In addition, personality traits that are more difficult to manage, such as heightened feelings of responsibility and perfectionism, can contribute to the development of OCD. Some medications can treat OCD by lowering levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain.

Psychological therapies can also help reduce the symptoms of OCD. These treatments focus on identifying and changing patterns of obsessive or repetitive thoughts or behaviors.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common type of treatment for OCD. It helps you learn to recognize the negative effects that your obsessions or compulsions have on your daily life and reframe them. The treatment also teaches you ways to cope with obsessions and compulsions without engaging in them.

Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is another type of CBT that focuses on exposing you to the situations or images that trigger your obsessions. The treatment helps you resist the urge to perform a compulsion, such as touching dirty objects or shaking hands.

Other types of CBT that can help treat OCD are acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. These techniques help you accept your obsessive thoughts as just thoughts and not reality, which can be helpful in managing OCD.

In this treatment, you’re paired with a therapist who helps you face your obsessions and compulsions without performing the rituals. This can be challenging at first, but you may feel more relaxed in your daily life once you’ve learned to resist the urge to engage in a compulsion.

Medications are also used to help treat OCD, especially if it’s causing severe symptoms. Medications can lower the amount of cortisol, a stress hormone, and decrease your anxiety.

If you are taking a medication for OCD, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider about any side effects you may experience. They can prescribe an alternative medication that is less likely to cause side effects.

The most effective way to deal with OCD is through therapy. Depending on the nature of your symptoms, you may need to see your therapist for several sessions.