Obsessive compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a disease that causes people to have unwanted thoughts and repeat certain behaviors.
The term OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) was popularized thanks to films such as As Good As It Gets, with Jack Nicholson; and plays like Knock Knock. But, in real life, few people know what its causes and treatments are. Specialists from the Rossi Diagnostic Center help us understand it. OCD is a condition that causes people to have unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repeat certain behaviors (compulsions) over and over again. Most people with OCD know that their obsessions and compulsions are meaningless, but they are unable to ignore or stop them. What are obsessions? Obsessions are ideas, images and impulses that pass through a person’s mind over and over again. In some cases these thoughts appear from time to time and are slightly annoying. Other times, a person who has OCD will have obsessive thoughts all the time. What are compulsions? Obsessive thoughts make people with OCD feel nervous and afraid. They try to get rid of these feelings by performing certain behaviors according to “rules” that they themselves make. These behaviors are called compulsions or rituals. When performing them, nervous sensations disappear for a short time. When the fear and nerves reappear, the person with OCD repeats the routine again (for example, washing their hands over and over again because of an obsession with germs). What are the causes of OCD? No one has found a specific, proven cause for OCD. Some research shows that it has to do with chemicals in the brain that are responsible for carrying messages from a nerve. saw the other. One of these, called serotonin, helps people not repeat the same behaviors over and over again. A person who has OCD may not have enough serotonin, and may function better when taking medications that increase the amount of this substance in their brain. When does it appear? In most cases, OCD usually begins during adolescence or early adulthood. But it can also do it in childhood. Most of the time the onset of the disorder is gradual. Are there associated diseases? People who have OCD often have other anxiety disorders, such as phobias (for example, fear of spiders or flying) or panic attacks. People with OCD may also have depression, attention-hyperactivity disorder, an eating disorder, or a learning disorder, such as dyslexia. What are the possible treatments? Early diagnosis and treatment can help shorten the duration of the disorder, reduce its severity, and reduce the risk of recurrence. The most common approach to treatment is pharmacological (medication) and psychotherapy (psychological treatment). With pharmacological treatment it is possible to contain and reduce the intensity of the symptoms that create discomfort. With the symptoms “controlled”, and without stopping taking the medication, psychotherapy can be started to help the patient understand the disease and provide them with (psychological) tools to manage it effectively. A combination of both treatments guarantees successful results.
