| Obsessions and
compulsions are commonly grouped together and may be better
known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
OCD is thought to affect 2 to 3% of the population
and is listed amongst the top 10 most debilitating illnesses
by the World Health Organisation in terms of loss of income
and decreased quality of life.
Many people suffering from OCD are good at
concealing their condition, and may be embarrassed to seek
professional help. Obsessive Compulsive disorder, as the name
suggests, consists of obsessions and compulsions:
Obsessions
Obsessions can be intrusive and recurrent
thoughts, ideas or impulses and they can be worrying, repulsive,
obscene or blasphemous.
These thoughts, ideas or impulses are not
voluntary and often invade a sufferer’s consciousness.
Obsessing over germs and dirt, nagging doubts, sexual thoughts,
fear that things are not safe and having things in a particular
order are common obsessions.
Most of us will have experienced the odd obsessional
thought, however if these thoughts occur regularly and interfere
with normal daily routines and relationships, they can cause
extreme distress.
Compulsions
Compulsions are actions an individual feels
compelled to perform to reduce the anxiety they feel from
an obsession. They are repeated continuously and often carried
out without conscious thought.
Examples of compulsions include excessive
washing and cleaning, counting and touching things, hoarding,
incessant rechecking, repeating certain words or phrases and
performing ritualistic behaviour.
Research has found that OCD usually appears
in childhood or adolescence and symptoms may come and go,
ease over time or get steadily worse.
Some sufferers will have the obsessions but
no physical outward compulsions, which is a form of OCD often
called 'Pure O'.
Other anxiety disorders that can accompany
OCD are depression, eating disorders and drug or alcohol abuse.
Symptoms
* Persistent unwanted thoughts
* Chronic worrying
* Obsessions with germs and dirt
* Obsessions with order and counting
* Obsessions with touching
* Irritability
* Loss of concentration
* Trouble sleeping
Cause
The exact cause of OCD is unknown. However,
research suggests there are a number of factors that may influence
the onset of OCD, including:
* The lack of the brain chemical serotonin
* Research suggests OCD may run in families, therefore attaching
a genetic link
* Some personality types may be more likely to develop OCD
* Although stress does not cause OCD, a stressful event may
trigger the condition in some people
Treatment
Hypnoanalysis (psychotherapy using hypnosis)
may be effective, as it aims to find the root cause of the
problem, and deal with the issue. Hypnoanalysis is extremely
effective at resolving the underlying anxiety that drives
the obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions.
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