OCD The Signs And Symptoms Treatments Types Causes

A lot of people suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior (OCD) without realizing it. People who are suffering from mild OCD symptoms may not really be concerned about the way they sometimes behave, because it’s mild they may see this as normal. On the other hand, some people who are suffering from moderate to severe OCD may have some inkling that there is something seriously wrong going on here within their mind, but; they are too afraid to acknowledge their symptoms and to get help. Denial is very common among people who are suffering OCD and more often than not, it is up to their friends and family members to help them face up to their problem and to help them acknowledge it.

If you happen to be living with someone who is showing signs or symptoms of OCD, you should not just ignore those symptoms and pretend that everything will be alright. The chances are those people who are showing the signs and symptoms of OCD will only get worse over time if they do not get the proper help and treatment. In fact,it’s not uncommon that the combination of OCD and depression can lead to suicide in some extreme cases. It is therefore up to you as a friend or a family member to help and to recognize the signs and symptoms of OCD and get help for them immediately.

Getting Proper Intervention And Treatment

A family member who is showing signs and symptoms of severe OCD may not be in the right position to decide what type of treatment he or she should get for the illness. It is therefore very important that you help him or her find the proper treatment available. To make informed decisions as to what type of intervention and treatment your family member or friend should get, you need to work closely (side by side) with the doctor who is treating your family member or friend for the OCD.

Yes, your right, you cannot just leave it up to the doctor to decide as to what type of treatment your family member or friend should get. But, let’s face it most doctors, “or in this case it will probably be a psychologist” know what is best for their patients who have OCD, but it is still important that you as family member should take an active part in the treatment they set out. Remember that it is you who will be dealing with your loved one on a day to day basis so you need to know what is going on every step of the way and how you maybe fit into the recovery process.

To keep abreast with what your family member is going through with their OCD, l strongly recommend you make a point of it to do some research about OCD. Knowing the signs and symptoms, the facts of OCD is one thing, but you also need to delve deeper and get a better understanding of this complicated disorder. To learn more about the disorder, attend seminars and/or read books.

OCD Physical Symptoms

OCD is a prolonged and a long running sickness, if left without proper treatment, symptoms may come and go over a period of time, it has it’s peaks and valleys, but more importantly it will interfere with the sufferers ability to manage their work life efficiently and to have a stable family life. Treatments such as CBT can decrease the rigorousness of this illness. It is great therapy and has a long-term commitment (6months or so) attached to it, but the benefits are second to none and combined with medication it really gets the disorder under control.However, some of the symptoms may linger and never be 100% gone, but with intensive treatment like CBT management, over time it will become a lot easier.

Anxiousness is one of the most salient OCD physical symptom. For instance, the individual may have a total sense of despair that something downright dreadful will occur to them or a loved one if he or she doesn’t go through with a specific ritual such as checking the gas stove several times to see if it’s turned off. If he or she doesn’t do this stereo type like behavior of OCD, they may have an overwhelming and an immediate feeling of anxiousness or a pecking sense of rawness. Symptoms may still differ from person to person however.

Obsessive Thoughts

Frightful thoughts of stains and germs /or over how their body odor smells/secretions or the suitable operation of the body is one of the major OCD physical symptoms.

Over care with the order of items, tidiness, and to be perfect and exact with everything they do

Fright of thinking unwanted thoughts or performing something awkward or uncomfortable

Always the mind is thinking about some words, sounds, or numbers, or the engrossment of counting something or checking things

Always in need of approval and any positive compliments or the need to make excuses if things aren’t perfect

Concerning that something awkward or uncomfortable will occur or the fear of injuring themselves or somebody else

Compulsive Behaviors

Often cleaning hands, taking baths, and cleaning teeth, or the over use of deodorants to conceal body smells is one of the OCD physical symptoms.

Always housecleaning, neatening, and putting things in order in a certain way are some common OCD symptoms.

Checking several time zips and buttons on dress another OCD symptom

Always checking lightings, home appliances, or doors over and over to be sure they are put off or closed down

Performing again and again some physical activities like sitting down and getting up from any chair

Accumulating certain objects like newspapers ( hoarding another OCD sign)

Repeating the same question or telling the same thing again and again to people

Staying away from public places or having the utmost measures to forbid harm to themselves or others

Spiritual rituals, such as always doing silent praying

It is normal for children with OCD to require doing actions over and over until they feel they have done it right, such as going to and fro through a doorway or reading again or writing again school assignments until its perfect. Children with OCD physical symptoms may not wish to go to school or may be in fear of leaving somebody they confide in.

Common OCD Symptoms

Obsessive compulsive disorder is unlike general anxiety, its primary features being repeated intrusive views and thoughts that have a great opportunity to result in repetitious behavior. The OCD sufferer gets intrusive thoughts or compulsions that repeat again and again in their mind a kind of fear, or a concern, or even a firm demand (command) to do things. These compulsions can possibly become exacerbated if the OCD sufferer is undergoing extreme stress at the time.

The conduct resulting from somebodies obsessive views are called compulsions and appear like some stereotype behavior; the OCD sufferer repeats some actions like (cleaning hands, is one of the most prevalent as they get anxious over germs being on their hands, or door handles these are some of the most common OCD symptoms) in an obsessive way. OCD symptoms in toddlers should be identified early on if possible to stop any worsening conditions.

Cleaning

An obsessiveness of wanting to wash is a common OCD symptom that frequently becomes an obsession. The patient normally experiences the desire to clean several times, anything that they come in contact with or ” are about to come in contact with” just in case if they do find dirt or germs after the act on them. For example, some OCD sufferers will carry antibacterial swab rubs to wash door handles repeatedly a few times a day so that they do not come in contact with another persons germs. They may also spend a substantial amount of time washing surfaces so that they are spick-and-span and germ free. The washing process is often done again and again when the dirt and debris settles again on the surface.

Washing Hands and Clothes

A continuous desire for OCD sufferers is cleaning hands and dressing is another common OCD symptom that also can change into an obsession. As with the washing compulsion, it roots stem from the concept that a sufferer dreads being polluted by dirt and germs.

Though these are just some of the most common obsessions that OCD sufferers have, they are not the only common OCD symptoms that they may feel. In most cases, physical obsessions such as cleansing and washing hands and apparel (clothes) is an effort for them to decrease the anxiousness made by those intruding thoughts, envisions and caprices that make most OCD sufferers to obsess about them.

On the contrary, these physical obsessions can make a sufferer even more anxious and can raise the importance of the mental compulsions that they are destined to try to avoid attention away from. On the other hand, many people can easily brush aside fierce or contrary thoughts as unimportant and nothing to be concern about,but for others like the OCD sufferer,they can’t resist to the extent that they erode their will power to ignore these thoughts and can even eventually take over their life.