Every person is visited by unpleasant or frightening thoughts, but while most can easily brush them aside, for some this is impossible.
Such people think about why such a thought occurred to them, returning to it again and again. They can only get rid of it by performing certain actions.
In psychiatry this is called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or, in foreign literature obsessive compulsive.
Obsessions are frightening thoughts, images or impulses that do not leave a person. Compulsions are certain actions that help temporarily eliminate obsessive thoughts and reduce anxiety. The condition can progress, causing the person to have more and more compulsions, and be chronic or episodic.
Frequent intrusive thoughts
The most common obsessions and corresponding compulsions:
- Fear of contracting a disease or fear of germs. In order to prevent this, a person tries to wash his hands or take a shower as often as possible, wash his clothes, and thoroughly wash all surfaces with which he comes into contact. This can take many hours every day.
- Fear of harming yourself or your loved ones. The patient tries not to be alone or with the person he believes could cause harm. Hides potentially dangerous things, such as knives, ropes, heavy objects.
- Fear that the right thing won't be available. A person repeatedly checks his pockets and bags to see if he forgot to put documents, essential items or medicines.
- Order and symmetry. It must be in a room where everything is in its place and subject to certain rules. They are very careful to ensure that even small objects melt into in a certain order, for example, arranged in height or symmetrically. And if someone touches or places a folder on the table incorrectly, the person experiences emotional stress.
- Superstitions. A person may fear that he will have bad luck if he does not perform a certain ritual. Thus, an OCD patient, leaving the house, had to put on “lucky” shoes, look in the mirror twice and stick out his tongue at himself, and pull the door handle seventeen times. If something unpleasant happened to him, he increased the number of actions.
- Thoughts that are prohibited by religion or morality. In order to drive away images or inappropriate thoughts, a person can read a prayer or take donations to the church, giving the last.
- Thoughts of a sexual nature with elements of cruelty. A person tries to avoid intimacy out of fear of committing an unacceptable act towards a partner.
Clinical manifestations of OCD
Compulsive-obsessive disorder has characteristic symptoms:
- thoughts should be perceived as your own, and not as a voice from above or another person;
- the patient resists these thoughts and tries unsuccessfully to switch to others.
- the thought that what is presented can happen frightens a person, makes him feel shame and guilt, causes tension and loss of activity;
- the obsession is often repeated.
OCD in its purest form
OCD may be dominated by compulsions or obsessions, but so-called OCD in its pure form also occurs. 
Sufferers admit that they have obsessive thoughts that conflict with their beliefs and values, but consider that they do not have compulsive behavior, i.e., no ritual actions. In order to get rid of thoughts that cause fear and shame, they can spend hours explaining to themselves why they should not pay attention to it.
When working through the problem, it turns out that they perform certain actions to get rid of tension. These actions are not obvious to others. This could be reciting a prayer or spell, counting, clicking joints, stepping from foot to foot, shaking your head.
Causes of the disorder
Impulsive compulsive disorder is thought to be caused by a combination of biological, social, and psychological factors.
Modern medicine is able to visualize the anatomy and physiology of the human brain. Research has shown that there are a number of significant differences in brain function in people with OCD.
There are differences in the connections of various parts, for example, the anterior part of the frontal lobe, the thalamus and striatum, and the anterior cingulate cortex.
Anomalies were also found in the transmission of nerve impulses between neuron synapses. Scientists have identified a mutation in the genes of serotonin and glutamate transporters. As a result of the anomaly, the neurotransmitter is processed even before it transmits an impulse to another neuron.
A quarter of people with the disorder have relatives with the same condition, suggesting genetics.
Group A streptococcal infection can cause OCD because it causes malfunction and inflammation of the basal ganglia.
Psychologists say that people who have developed obsessive-compulsive personality disorder have some thinking characteristics:
- Confident that they can control everything, even your own thoughts. If a thought appeared, it means that it was in the subconscious and the brain had been thinking about it for a long time, and, accordingly, it is part of the personality.
- Hyperresponsibility. A person is responsible not only for actions, but also for thoughts.
- Belief in the materiality of thought. If a person imagines something terrible, then it will happen. He believes that he is capable of causing trouble.
- Perfectionism. A person has no right to make a mistake. He must be perfect.
Compulsive personality disorder most often occurs in a person who was brought up in a family where parents controlled all areas of the child’s life, making excessive demands and demanding ideal behavior from him.
In the presence of the two components listed above, the impetus for the manifestation of the disorder can be a stressful situation, overwork, overexertion or abuse of psychotropic substances. Stress can be caused by moving, changing jobs, threats to life and health, divorce, or the death of a loved one.
The actions of a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder are cyclical.
First, a certain thought arises that frightens and makes you feel shame and guilt about it. Then there is a concentration on this thought against the will. The result is mental tension and increasing anxiety.
The human psyche finds a way to calm down by performing stereotypical actions that he thinks will save him. Thus, short-term relief occurs. But the feeling of his abnormality due to the thought that has arisen does not leave him and he returns to it again. The cycle takes on a new turn.
What influences the development of neurosis
The more often the patient resorts to ritual actions, the more dependent he becomes on them. It's like a drug.
Disorders are reinforced by avoidance of situations or actions that cause obsessions. A person, trying not to face a potentially dangerous situation, still thinks about it and becomes convinced of his abnormality.
The situation can be aggravated by the behavior of loved ones who call the person suffering from the disorder crazy or forbid them to perform the ritual.
After all, if he is crazy, then he really can carry out the actions that he is so afraid of. And imposing a ban on compulsions leads to an increase in anxiety. But the opposite situation also happens, when relatives are involved in the performance of the ritual, thereby confirming its necessity.
Diagnosis and treatment
The symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder are similar to those of schizophrenia. Therefore, a differential diagnosis needs to be made. Especially if the obsessive thoughts are unusual and the compulsions are eccentric. The important thing is whether thoughts are perceived as your own or as imposed.
Depression is also often accompanied by OCD. If they are equally strong, then it is recommended that depression be considered primary.
The obsessive compulsive disorder test or Yale-Brown scale is used to determine the severity of the symptoms of the disorder. It consists of two parts of five questions: the first part allows you to understand how often obsessive thoughts appear and whether they can be attributed to OCD; the second part analyzes the impact of compulsions on everyday life.
If obsessive and compulsive disorder is not very pronounced, then a person can try to cope on his own. To do this, you need to learn to switch your attention to other actions. For example, start reading a book.
Postpone the ritual for 15 minutes, and gradually increase the delay time and reduce the number of ritual actions. This way you will understand that you can calm down without performing stereotypical actions.
If the severity is moderate or higher, you need to seek help from any of the specialists: psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist.
If the disorder is severe, the psychiatrist will make a diagnosis and prescribe medication. Medications are prescribed to alleviate the condition - serotonin reuptake antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Atypical ones are also used to control symptoms. They will help you calm down and reduce anxiety.
However, drug treatment for compulsive obsessive disorder does not have a permanent effect. After the end of the reception 
drugs OCD is back. Most in an effective way is psychotherapy. With its help, almost 75% of those who seek help recover.
A psychotherapist may offer: cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, exposure, hypnosis.
Exposure with response prevention techniques are effective for OCD. It lies in the fact that a person, faced with his experiences in a controlled situation, learns to cope with them without the usual reaction of avoidance.
So, to treat a person with a fear of germs, they may suggest touching a subway handrail or an elevator button and not washing your hands for as long as possible. The tasks are gradually becoming more complicated and they are asked to reduce the number of actions and the duration of the ritual. uh
Over time, the patient gets used to it and stops being afraid. However, not everyone can handle this technique. More than half of patients refuse it due to strong feelings.
Cognitive therapy helps the patient see the irrationality of his fears, dismantle his way of thinking and realize that it is wrong. Teaches effective ways to switch attention and adequately respond to obsessive thoughts without the use of ritual.
The patient can get help family therapy. Thanks to it, family members will be able to better understand the causes of the disorder and learn how to behave correctly if obsessions begin. After all, close people can both help cope with the problem and cause harm with their behavior.
Group psychotherapy will provide support and approval, and reduce feelings of inferiority. The success of a fellow sufferer is highly motivating. And the person understands that he can cope with the problem.
May trouble pass everyone by
Obsessive compulsive disorder can and should be stopped at the approaches to mental and neurological health, for this it is necessary:
- using techniques to combat stress;
- timely rest, avoid overwork;
- timely resolution of intrapersonal conflicts.
OCD is not a mental illness because it does not lead to personality changes; it is a neurotic disorder. It is reversible and with proper treatment disappears completely.
An obsessive-compulsive personality must be distinguished from a person with OCD, i.e. which one obsessive-compulsive disorder(obsessive-compulsive neurosis).
Because in the first, somewhat obsessive and ritualistic thinking and behavior may look like an anxious and suspicious trait of character and temperament, and not particularly interfere with himself and those around him, close people.
Then the second one has overly obsessive symptoms of OCD, for example, fear of infection and frequent washing hands - can significantly interfere with a person, both in personal and public life. Which can also negatively affect the immediate environment.
However, it should be remembered that the first can easily become the second.
Obsessive-compulsive personality
The obsessive-compulsive personality type is characterized by the following features:- Their keywords are "Control" and "Must"
- Perfectionism (striving for perfection)
- Consider themselves responsible for themselves and others
- They see others as frivolous, irresponsible and incompetent.
- Beliefs: “I have to manage the situation”, “I have to do everything right”, “I know what is best...”, “You have to do it my way”, “People and yourself need to be criticized in order to prevent mistakes”...
- Catastrophic thoughts that the situation will get out of control
- They control the behavior of others through excessive management, or disapproval and punishment (including the use of force and enslavement).
- They are prone to regret, disappointment, and punishment of themselves and others.
- They often experience anxiety and can become depressed if they fail
Obsessive-compulsive disorder - symptoms
In obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCD), the following symptoms appear: symptoms:- Repetitive obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions that interfere with normal life
- Repetitive obsessive, ritualistic behavior (or imagination) to relieve anxiety and distress caused by intrusive thoughts
- A person with OCD may or may not recognize the meaninglessness of their thoughts and behavior.
- Thoughts and rituals take up a lot of time and interfere with normal functioning, causing psychological discomfort, including among those closest to you.
- Impossibility of independent, volitional control and resistance to automatic thoughts and ritual behavior
Associated OCD symptoms:
Depressive disorder, anxiety and panic disorder, social phobias, eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)…
The listed accompanying symptoms may be similar to OCD, so differential diagnosis is carried out, distinguishing other personality disorders.
Obsessive disorder
Persistent (frequent) intrusive thoughts are ideas, images, beliefs and thoughts that cause anxiety and distress and constitute obsessive personality disorder.
The most common obsessive thoughts are fears of infection, pollution or poisoning, harming others, doubts about closing the door, turning off household appliances...etc.
Compulsive disorder
Obsessive actions, or ritual behavior (ritual can also be mental) is a stereotypical behavior with the help of which a person with a compulsive disorder tries to ease anxiety or relieve distress.
The most common ritual behaviors are washing hands and/or objects, counting out loud or silently, and checking that one's actions are correct...etc.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder - treatment
Treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder include medication and psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and psychoanalysis.Typically, when OCD is severe and the person has little motivation to get rid of it, drug treatment is used in the form of antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, non-selective serotonergic drugs and placebo tablets. (the effect is usually short-lived, and besides, pharmacology is not harmless)
For OCD sufferers for a long time, and usually highly motivated to cure, the best option there will be a psychotherapeutic intervention without drugs (medicines, in some difficult cases, can be used at the beginning of psychotherapy).
However, those who want to get rid of obsessive-compulsive disorder and the accompanying emotional and psychological problems should know that psychotherapeutic intervention is labor-intensive, slow and expensive.
But those who have the desire, after a month of intensive psychotherapy, will be able to improve their condition to normal. In the future, to avoid relapses and to consolidate the results, supportive therapeutic meetings may be necessary.
Psychologist, psychotherapist.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) is mental disorder, characterized by obsessive unpleasant thoughts that arise against the patient’s will (obsessions) and actions whose goal is to reduce the level of anxiety.
To determine the severity of obsessive and compulsive symptoms, the following is used: (editor's note)
ICD-10 describes obsessive-compulsive disorder (F42) as follows:
"An essential feature of the condition is the presence of repetitive or forced actions. Obsessive thoughts are ideas, images or impulses that come to the patient's head again and again in a stereotypical form. They are almost always distressing, and the patient often tries unsuccessfully to resist them. However, the patient considers these thoughts to be his own, even if they are involuntary and disgusting.
, or rituals, are stereotypical mannerisms that the patient repeats over and over again. They are not a way to gain pleasure or an attribute of performing useful tasks. These actions are a way to prevent the possibility of an unpleasant event occurring that the patient fears might otherwise occur, causing harm to him or her to another person. Typically, such behavior is recognized by the patient as meaningless or ineffective, and repeated attempts are made to resist it. Anxiety is almost always present. If compulsive actions are suppressed, anxiety becomes more pronounced."
Personal experience of Katerina Osipova. Katya is 24 years old, 13 of them she has been living with a diagnosis of OCD: (editor's note)
Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- The personality is concerned with details, lists, order to the extent that life goals are lost from sight.
- Exhibits perfectionism that interferes with the task of completion (unable to complete a project because his own standards are not met in this project).
- Overly devotes himself to work, productivity, productivity to the exclusion of rest and friendship, despite the fact that such an amount of work is not justified by economic necessity (the main interest is not money).
- The personality is hyper-conscious, scrupulous and inflexible in matters of morality, ethics, values that do not include cultural and religious identification (intolerant).
- The personality is unable to get rid of damaged or useless items, even if they have no sentimental value.
- Resists delegating or working with other people until they are consistent with her or his way of doing things (everything must be done as she sees fit, on her terms).
- He is afraid to spend money on himself and other people, because... money should be saved for a rainy day to cope with future disasters.
- Shows rigidity and stubbornness.
OCD develops around the age of 4-5 years, when parents place the main emphasis in education on the fact that if the child does something, then he must do it correctly. The emphasis is on achieving excellence. Such a child was supposed to be an example for other children and receive praise and approval from adults. Thus, from childhood, such a person is under the yoke of parental instructions about what she should do and what she should not do. She is overloaded with duty and responsibility, the need to follow the rules that were once laid down by her parent. We may notice children around us who think and behave like adults. It's like they're in a hurry to grow up and take on adult responsibilities. Their childhood ends too early. From childhood, they try to do more or do better than what other people have already done. And this way of acting and thinking remains with them into adulthood. Such children did not learn to play; they were always busy with business. When they become adults, they do not know how to relax, rest, or take care of their needs and desires. It often happens that one of the parents (or both) themselves had OCD and did not know how to relax and rest, devoting themselves to work or household chores. The child learns this behavior from them and tries to imitate his parents, considering this a kind of norm, “because it was customary in our family.”
Obsessive-compulsive individuals react very painfully to criticism. Because if they are criticized, it means they failed to do faster, better, more, and therefore they cannot treat themselves well, feel good. They are perfectionists. They are very stressed to get everything done that they set out to do, and they experience anxiety as soon as they realize that they have stopped doing something important. They are especially worried and feel guilty if they have any negative thoughts and reactions interfering with their work routine, and, of course, sexual thoughts, feelings and needs. They then use small rituals, such as counting, to escape intruding thoughts, or doing their tasks in a certain order so that they gain control and relieve their anxiety. Individuals with OCD expect the same high standards and perfection from other people, and can easily become critical when other people do not live up to their expectations. high standards. These expectations and frequent criticism can cause great difficulties in personal relationships. Some relationship partners perceive OCD individuals as boring because they focus on work and have great difficulty in relaxing, resting, and enjoying themselves.
Causes of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- Personality characteristics (hypersensitivity, anxiety, tendency to think more than to feel);
- Education with an emphasis on a sense of duty and responsibility;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Neurological problems;
- Stress and psychological trauma can also trigger the process of OCD in people who are prone to developing this condition.
Examples of obsessive-compulsive disorder
The most common concerns are about cleanliness (for example, fear of dirt, germs, and infections), safety (for example, worrying about leaving the iron on in the house and causing a fire), and inappropriate sexual or religious thoughts (for example, thoughts about wanting sex with a “forbidden” partner – someone else’s spouse, etc.). The desire for symmetry, precision, accuracy.Frequent hand washing or the desire to constantly rub and wash something in the house; rituals to test and protect oneself from imaginary danger, which can include entire chains of actions (for example, correctly exiting and entering a room, touching something with your hand, taking three sips of water, etc.) are also fairly common examples obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a dysfunction of mental activity, manifested by involuntary thoughts of an obsessive nature that interfere with normal life, as well as various fears. These thoughts create anxiety, which can only be relieved by performing obsessive and tiresome activities called compulsions.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be progressive or episodic, or chronic. Obsessive thoughts are ideas or inclinations that appear again and again in a stereotypical form in a person’s head. The essence of these thoughts is almost always painful, since they are either perceived as meaningless ideas or carry obscene or aggressive content.
Causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder
The root causes of the disorder in question can rarely be found on the surface. Obsessive compulsive OCD disorder characterized by compulsions (ritual actions) and obsessions (obsessive thoughts). The most common involuntary intrusive thoughts are:
— fear of infection (for example, viruses, microbes, from liquids, chemicals or excrement);
Signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children:
— wet, cracked hands (if the child suffers from compulsive hand washing);
- prolonged stay in the bathroom;
- slow completion of homework due to fear of making a mistake;
- introducing many corrections and amendments to school work;
- strange or repetitive behavior, such as constantly checking doors or taps to make sure they are closed;
- tiresome, constant questions that require reassurance, for example, “Mom, touch it, I have a fever.”
How to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in children? Many parents want to know this. First of all, it is necessary to accurately determine whether their child suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder or simply practices some of his own rituals. We can identify quite normal rituals for children, which parents often mistake for violations. These include:
- children under three years of age often have certain “traditions” of going to bed; by the school period this usually either goes away or becomes mild;
- invented games with certain rules, collecting (starting from the age of five);
- excessive passion for some performer, subculture, which is a way of socialization, building relationships with peers who have similar hobbies.
Before getting rid of obsessive-compulsive disorder, parents need to differentiate it from normal manifestations inherent in the age period in which their baby is. The main difference between the described syndrome and normal rituals is the understanding by adolescents and children of abnormality obsessive thoughts and ritual actions. Children realize that their actions are deviant from the norm, so they try to resist them. This understanding pushes them to hide obsessive thoughts and ritual actions from the environment. Therefore, if a baby openly performs a certain ritual before going to bed, this does not indicate the presence of an illness. You need to understand that such behavior is only inherent in his age period.
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Previously, the syndrome in question was considered a condition that was resistant (unresponsive) to treatment, since traditional psychotherapeutic methods based on the principles rarely brought effect. Also, the results of using various medicines. However, in the eighties of the last century, the current situation changed dramatically due to the introduction of new methods of behavioral therapy and pharmacopoeial medicine, the effectiveness of which was proven through large-scale studies.
Scientists of that time, trying to find the answer to the question “how to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder,” experimentally proved that the most effective method Behavioral therapy for the disorder in question is a method of preventing reaction and exposure.
The patient receives instructions on how to resist performing compulsive actions, after which he is placed in a situation that provokes discomfort caused by obsessions.
The main thing in the treatment of the disease in question is the timely recognition of obsessive-compulsive disorder and correct diagnosis.
Currently, the main medications for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Clomipramine), anxiolytics (Clonazepam, Buspirone), mood stabilizers (Lithium drugs) and antipsychotics (Rimozide).
How to get rid of obsessive-compulsive disorder? Most therapists agree that treatment of this disease should begin with the prescription of antidepressants, namely drugs from the group of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in an adequate dose. Drugs of this pharmacotherapeutic group are better tolerated by patients and are considered safer than Clomipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant that blocks serotonin reuptake), previously widely used in the treatment of the disorder in question.
It is also practiced to prescribe anxiolytics in combination with other drugs. It is not recommended to use them as monotherapy. The prescription of mood stabilizers, namely Lithium preparations, is indicated, since Lithium promotes the release of serotonin.
A number of researchers have proven the effectiveness of prescribing atypical antipsychotics (Olanzapine) in combination with serotonergic antidepressants.
In addition to the use of medications in the treatment of obsessions and compulsions, the modern approach involves the use of psychotherapeutic methods. An excellent psychotherapeutic effect is provided by the four-step technique, which provides the opportunity to simplify or modify ritual procedures. This method is based on the patient’s awareness of the problem and gradual overcoming of symptoms.
Treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder at home is not recommended, but there are a number of therapeutic and preventive measures that can reduce the severity of symptoms.
So, treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder at home involves:
- reducing the consumption of alcohol and drinks containing caffeine;
- getting rid of bad habits;
- regular meals, since hunger, lack of nutrients, low sugar levels can provoke stressful state which will cause symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- regular execution physical exercise, since the systematic release of endorphins improves metabolism, increases stress resistance and improves overall human health;
- massage;
— establishing optimal sleep and wakefulness patterns;
- taking warm baths, during which a cool compress should be placed on the head of the suffering individual, this procedure should be carried out several times a week for twenty minutes, each procedure must reduce the temperature of the water;
- to relieve anxiety, in order to relax and calm a sick individual, ingesting herbal decoctions and infusions that have a sedative effect (the herbs of valerian officinalis, lemon balm, motherwort are used);
- systematic use of St. John's wort, which allows you to increase mental concentration, improve clarity of consciousness, which affects the force of compulsion to perform ritual actions;
- daily breathing exercises, which allows you to restore normal emotional background, promoting a “sober” assessment of the current situation.
After therapy, social rehabilitation is required. Only in case of successful adaptation after treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder will clinical symptoms not return. The complex of rehabilitation measures includes training in fruitful interaction with the social and immediate environment. For a complete recovery from obsessive-compulsive disorder, the support of loved ones plays a special role.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, called impulsive (obsessive) compulsive disorder, can significantly worsen the quality of life of the patient suffering from it.
Many patients mistakenly put off visiting a doctor, not realizing that timely contact with a specialist will reduce the risk of developing chronic disease and will help you get rid of obsessive thoughts and panic fears forever.
Impulsive (obsessive) compulsive disorder is a disorder of a person’s mental activity, manifested by increased anxiety, the appearance of involuntary and obsessive thoughts that contribute to the development of phobias and interfere with the patient’s normal life.
Mental health disorders are characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are thoughts that arise involuntarily in the human mind, which lead to compulsions - special rituals, repeated actions that allow you to get rid of obsessive thoughts.
IN modern psychology mental health disorders are classified as a type of psychosis.
The disease may:
- be in a progressive stage;
- be episodic in nature;
- proceed chronically.
How does the disease begin?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder develops in people aged 10-30 years. Despite the fairly wide age range, patients turn to a psychiatrist at approximately the age of 25-35 years, which indicates the duration of the disease before the first consultation with a doctor.
Mature people are more susceptible to the disease; among children and adolescents, symptoms of the disorder are detected less frequently.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder at the very beginning of its formation is accompanied by: 
- increased anxiety;
- the emergence of fears;
- obsession with thoughts and the need to get rid of them through special rituals.
The patient at this stage may not be aware of the illogicality and compulsiveness of his behavior.
Over time, the deviation begins to worsen and becomes active. progressive form when the patient:
- cannot adequately perceive his own actions;
- feels very anxious;
- cannot cope with phobias and panic attacks;
- requires hospitalization and drug treatment.
Main reasons
Despite a large number of studies, it is impossible to unambiguously determine the main cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This process can arise due to psychological, sociological, and biological reasons, which can be classified in tabular form:
| Biological causes of the disease | Psychological and social causes of the disease |
| Diseases and functional-anatomical features of the brain | Disorders of the human psyche due to the occurrence of neuroses |
| Features of the functioning of the autonomic nervous system | Increased susceptibility to certain psychogenic influences due to the strengthening of certain character or personality traits |
| Metabolic disorders, most often accompanied by changes in the levels of the hormones serotonin and dopamine | The negative influence of the family on the formation of a healthy psyche of the child (overprotection, physical and emotional abuse, manipulation) |
| Genetic factors | The problem is the perception of sexuality and the emergence of sexual deviations (deviations) |
| Complications after undergoing infectious diseases | Production factors most often associated with long work accompanied by nervous overload |
Biological
Among the biological causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder, scientists identify genetic factors. Research into the occurrence of the disorder using adult twins has led scientists to conclude that the disease is moderately heritable.
The state of mental disorder is not generated by any specific gene, but scientists have identified a connection between the formation of the disorder and the functioning of the SLC1A1 and hSERT genes.
In people suffering from the disorder, mutations can be observed in these genes, which are responsible for transmitting impulses in neurons and collecting the hormone serotonin in nerve fibers.
There are cases of early onset of the disease in a child due to complications after infectious diseases suffered in childhood.
In the first study to examine the biological link between the disorder and the body's autoimmune response, scientists have concluded that the disorder occurs in children infected with streptococcal infection, which causes inflammation of clusters of nerve cells.
The second study looked for the cause of mental abnormalities in the effects of prophylactic antibiotics taken to treat infectious diseases. Also, the disorder may be a consequence of other reactions of the body to infectious agents.
As for the neurological causes of the disease, using methods of imaging the brain and its activity, scientists were able to establish a biological connection between obsessive-compulsive disorder and the functioning of parts of the patient’s brain.
The symptoms of mental disorder included the activity of parts of the brain that regulate:
- human behavior;
- emotional manifestations of the patient;
- bodily reactions of the individual.
Excitation of certain areas of the brain creates a desire in a person to perform some action, for example, wash your hands after touching something unpleasant. 
This reaction is normal and the urge that arises after one procedure decreases. Patients with the disorder have problems stopping these urges, so they are forced to perform the ritual of hand washing more often than normal, receiving only temporary satisfaction of the need.
Social and psychological
From the point of view of behavioral theory in psychology, obsessive-compulsive disorder is explained on the basis of a behavioral approach. Here, illness is perceived as a repetition of reactions, the reproduction of which facilitates their subsequent implementation in the future.
Patients spend a lot of energy constantly trying to avoid situations where panic might arise. As a protective reaction, patients perform repetitive actions that can be performed physically (washing hands, checking electrical appliances), and mentally (prayers).
Their implementation temporarily reduces anxiety, but at the same time increases the likelihood of repeating obsessive actions in the near future again.
People with an unstable psyche most often fall into this state, are exposed to frequent stress or are going through difficult periods in life:
From the point of view of cognitive psychology, the disorder is explained as the patient’s inability to understand himself, a violation of a person’s connection with his own thoughts. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder are often unaware of the deceptive meaning they give to their fears.
Patients, out of fear of their own thoughts, try to get rid of them as soon as possible, using defensive reactions. The reason for the intrusiveness of thoughts is their false interpretation, giving them great significance and a catastrophic meaning.
Such distorted perceptions appear as a result of attitudes formed in childhood:
- Basal anxiety arising from a violation of the sense of security in childhood(ridicule, parental overprotection, manipulation).
- Perfectionism, consisting in the desire to achieve the ideal, non-acceptance of one’s own mistakes.
- Exaggerated feeling human responsibility for the impact on society and the safety of the environment.
- Hypercontrol mental processes, conviction in the materialization of thoughts, their negative impact on oneself and others.
Also, obsessive-compulsive disorder can be caused by trauma received in childhood or a more conscious age and constant stress.
In most cases of the formation of the disease, patients succumbed to the negative influence of the environment:
- were subjected to ridicule and humiliation;
- entered into conflicts;
- worried about the death of loved ones;
- could not solve problems in relationships with people.
Symptoms
Impulsive (obsessive) compulsive disorder is characterized by certain manifestations and symptoms. The main feature of mental deviation can be called a strong aggravation in crowded places.
This is due to the high likelihood of panic attacks arising from fear:
- pollution;
- pickpocketing;
- unexpected and loud sounds;
- strange and unknown smells.
The main symptoms of the disease can be divided into certain types:
Obsessions are negative thoughts that can be presented as:
- words;
- individual phrases;
- full dialogues;
- proposals.
Such thoughts are obsessive and cause very unpleasant emotions in the individual.
Repeated images in a person’s thoughts are most often represented by scenes of violence, perversion and other negative situations. Intrusive memories are memories of life events where the individual felt shame, anger, regret or remorse.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder impulses are urges to commit negative actions (enter into conflict or use physical force against others).
The patient fears that such impulses may be realized, which is why he feels shame and regret. Obsessive thoughts are characterized by constant disputes between the patient and himself, in which he considers everyday situations and gives arguments (counter-arguments) to solve them.
Obsessive doubt in committed actions concerns certain actions and doubts about their correctness or incorrectness. Often this symptom is associated with the fear of violating certain regulations and causing harm to others.
Aggressive obsessions are obsessive ideas associated with prohibited actions, often of a sexual nature (violence, sexual perversions). Often such thoughts are combined with hatred of loved ones or popular personalities.
Phobias and fears that are most common during an exacerbation of obsessive-compulsive disorder include:
Often, phobias can contribute to the emergence of compulsions - defensive reactions that reduce anxiety. Rituals involve both the repetition of mental processes and the manifestation of physical actions.
Often among the symptoms of the disorder one can note motor disturbances, in the event of which the patient does not realize the intrusiveness and unreasonableness of the movements being reproduced.
Symptoms of deviation include:
- nervous tics;
- certain gestures and movements;
- reproduction of pathological repetitive actions (biting a cube, spitting).
Diagnostic methods
A mental disorder can be diagnosed using several tools and methods for identifying the disease.
In obsessive compulsive disorder you will find the difference When designating methods for studying impulsive (obsessive) compulsive syndrome, first of all, diagnostic criteria for deviation are distinguished:
1. Repeated occurrence of obsessive thoughts in the patient, accompanied by the manifestation of compulsions within two weeks.
2. The patient’s thoughts and actions have special characteristics:
- they, in the patient’s opinion, are considered his own and not imposed external circumstances thoughts;
- they are repeated long enough and cause negative emotions in the patient;
- a person tries to resist obsessive thoughts and actions.
3. Patients feel that emerging obsessions and compulsions limit their lives and interfere with productivity.
4. The formation of the disorder is not associated with diseases such as schizophrenia or personality disorders.
A screening questionnaire for obsessive disorders is often used to identify the disease. It consists of questions that the patient can answer positively or negatively. As a result of passing the test, an individual’s tendency to obsessive disorder is revealed by the predominance of positive answers over negative ones.
Equally important for diagnosing the disease are the consequences of the symptoms of the disorder:
Among the methods for diagnosing obsessive-compulsive disorder great importance has an analysis of the patient's body using computer and positron emission tomography. As a result of the examination, the patient may exhibit signs of internal brain atrophy (death of brain cells and its neural connections) and increased cerebral blood supply.
Can a person help himself?
If symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder occur, the patient should carefully analyze his condition and contact a qualified specialist.
If the patient is temporarily unable to visit a doctor, then it is worth trying Reduce symptoms on your own with the following tips:
Psychotherapy methods
Psychotherapy is the most effective way treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Unlike medicinal method suppression of symptoms, therapy helps you independently understand your problem and weaken the disease for a sufficiently long time, depending on the mental state of the patient.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be the most appropriate treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. At the very beginning of the sessions, the patient gets acquainted with general concepts and principles of therapy, and after some time The study of the patient’s problem is divided into several blocks:
- the essence of the situation causing a negative mental reaction;
- the content of obsessive thoughts and ritual actions of the patient;
- intermediate and deep beliefs of the patient;
- fallacy of deep-seated beliefs, search life situations, which provoked the appearance of obsessive ideas in the patient;
- the essence of the patient’s compensatory (protective) strategies.
After analyzing the patient’s condition, a psychotherapy plan is formed, during which the person suffering from the disorder learns:
- use certain self-control techniques;
- analyze your own condition;
- monitor your symptoms.
Special attention is paid to working with the patient’s automatic thoughts. Therapy consists of four stages:
Psychotherapy develops the patient’s awareness and understanding of his own condition, but does not negative influence on the patient's body and generally demonstrates a very beneficial effect on the treatment process of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Drug treatment: drug lists
Impulsive (obsessive) compulsive disorder often requires medication treatment through the use of certain medicines. Carrying out therapy requires a strictly individual approach, which takes into account the patient’s symptoms, his age and the presence of other diseases.
The following medications are used only as prescribed by a doctor and taking into account special factors:
Treatment at home
It is impossible to accurately determine a universal method of getting rid of the disease, because each patient suffering from the disorder requires an individual approach and special treatment methods.
There are no specific instructions for self-recovery from obsessive-compulsive disorder at home, but it is possible to identify general tips which can help ease symptoms of the disease and avoid deterioration of mental health:
Rehabilitation
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by irregular changes, so, regardless of the type of treatment, any patient can experience improvement over time.
After supportive conversations that instill self-confidence and hope for recovery, and psychotherapy, where techniques for protecting against obsessive thoughts and fears are developed, the patient feels much better.
After the recovery stage, social rehabilitation begins, which includes certain programs for teaching the abilities necessary for a comfortable sense of self in society.
Such programs include:
- developing communication skills with other people;
- training in the rules of communication in the professional sphere;
- developing an understanding of the characteristics of everyday communication;
- development correct behavior in everyday situations.
The rehabilitation process is aimed at building mental stability and building personal boundaries for the patient, gaining faith in his own strength.
Complications
Not all patients manage to recover from obsessive-compulsive disorder and undergo full rehabilitation.
Experience has shown that patients with the disease who are in the recovery stage are prone to relapse (resumption and exacerbation of the disease), therefore, only as a result of successful therapy and independent work It is possible to get rid of the symptoms of the disorder for a long time.
The most likely complications of obsessive-compulsive disorder include:
Prognosis for recovery
Impulsive (obsessive) compulsive disorder is a disease that most often occurs in a chronic form. Complete recovery for such a mental disorder is quite rare.
With a mild form of the disease, the results of the treatment begin to be observed no earlier than 1 year of regular therapy and possible use of medications. Even five years after the diagnosis of the disorder, the patient may experience anxiety and some symptoms of the disease in his daily life.
A severe form of the disease is more resistant to treatment, so patients with this degree of disorder are prone to relapse, the recurrence of the disease after an apparent complete recovery. This is possible due to stressful situations and overwork of the patient.
Statistics show that the vast majority of patients experience improvements in their mental state after a year of treatment. Through behavioral therapy, a significant reduction of symptoms by 70% is achieved.
In severe cases of the disease, a negative prognosis for the disorder is possible, which manifests itself in the appearance of:
- negativism (behavior when a person speaks out or behaves demonstratively opposite to what is expected);
- obsessions;
- severe depression;
- social isolation.
Modern medicine does not identify a single method of treating impulsive (obsessive) compulsive disorder that would be guaranteed to relieve the patient of negative symptoms forever. To regain mental health, the patient must consult a doctor in a timely manner and be prepared to overcome internal resistance on the path to successful recovery.
Article format: Vladimir the Great
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