For the month of April I am participating in the annual A-Z Blogging Challenge.
The Challenge was started by author/blogger, Arlee Byrd.
http://tossingitout.blogspot.com
Each day of the month (except Sundays) we will post something based on that days correlating letter. Some of us chose a theme and others are winging it. My theme is the A-to-Z’s of Mental Health, Raising Awareness. It is a topic that is very close to my heart. I hope you find the posts interesting and you will comment and share the posts everywhere. To see a complete list of the participants or for more information-click on the badge over there to the right>
Today’s letter is the letter O
Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder [OCD]
OCD is a series of irrational thoughts or fears that cause you to repeat behaviors that you believe will cause the irrational thoughts and fears to stop.
Examples of some Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive-Behavior:
Intense anxiety and fear will occur with these symptoms.
The irrational fear of dirt and/or germs that cause you to constantly wash your hands and or clean your house.
Putting everything in symmetrical order.
Constant thoughts of horrific things happening to self or family and taking extreme measures to ensure that you and your family are safe.
Overly fearful of embarrassment causing you to avoid social situations.
Preoccupation with counting or numbers.
Checking and rechecking to insure the lights are out, the doors are locked, the oven is off etc…
A person with OCD may or may not realize they have the disorder. If they realize they have it they may try to stop the thoughts and behaviors with little success.
Diagnosis:
A doctor will first do an exam to rule out any physical cause for your symptoms. Lab tests will check blood count, screening for drugs and alcohol and thyroid function. Once medical and physical causes have been ruled out a mental health professional will talk to you, your family and friends about your thoughts and behaviors and make a determination.
It can be difficult to diagnose OCD because symptoms can be similar to those of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia or other mental illnesses. Someone with true obsessions and compulsions has OCD, although it’s possible to have both OCD and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
Causes:
The exact cause of OCD remains unknown. It may be genetic. Researchers are working to identify genes that may be involved. There is research that points to environmental causes such as infections that trigger symptoms.
Treatment:
Treatment for OCD most likely will not result in a cure but symptoms can be controlled so that they do not interfere with a normal life and healthy relationships. Treatment involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy.
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18 thoughts on “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [OCD]”
Am glad to be learning so much from your posts. 😀
Thank you so much.
I think many people suffer from OCD without actually knowing it. My Mil has this behavior of checking and rechecking the lights, the doors, microwave etc every night.
I agree. A lot of people just don’t realize they have a problem.
I didn’t think I had OCD until I saw that cartoon about the grocery list. Uh-oh.
I had to use that cartoon because it is so me.I rewrite entire notebooks too.:(
Our almost 33 year old daughter has OCD and BDD. She lives a miserable life and has been seeing doctors and taking medication for 18 years now. As a mother it is breaking my heart.
That is heartbreaking.I had to go through several therapist before I found, the one. This young woman is very inspiring…
http://www.melissahopely.com she has some good utube videos on overcoming ocd.
Another one of those good posts I’m bookmarking for character reference later. Thank you!
Awe thank you Loni.
I have a touch of OCD but I know it’s really debilitating to those who really have it. Thanks for sharing 🙂 http://untetheredrealms.blogspot.com
Thank you Gwen. As long as it doesn’t interfere with living your life:)
What most people don’t realize about OCD is how completely debilitating it can be. My son had the disorder so severely he could not even eat. The good news, however, is that OCD is treatable. The front line treatment for the disorder is a type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, and it works. Today my son is living life to the fullest, with mild OCD. I talk about anything and everything to do with OCD on my blog at: http://www.ocdtalk.wordpress.com. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Thank you Janet. My granddaughter developed symptoms very young and could not eat. It was heartbreaking to see her suffer like that.
With ERP, she too is fine today! I felts o guilty because I struggle with it myself.
I look forward to following your blog.
Great topic for the challenge. It is important for us to try to understand people instead of judging them. OCD is difficult to deal with. I think that the tv show “Monk” did a lot to raise awareness of this disorder and help us appreciate that even people who struggle with problems like this have a lot to order. Maria from Delight Directed Living
Thank you Maria. I love Monk!
Oh this is my husband all day! I can clean anything, and he will be right behind me, making sure that it’s done right. When he comes home from a trip, the first thing he does is clean. It used to bother me, but I know that it’s just his need to feel in control of his life again – he HATES to fly, makes him crazy. So we both laugh about it now – about his OCD tendencies.
(I have them too…)
LOL..Me too.