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Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an illness related to stress and worry,
those suffering from it have repetitive unwanted thoughts or perform repetitive
behaviour. Repetitive behaviours common to the illness are hand washing,
counting, checking things or cleaning with the hope of preventing the
thoughts or making the condition go away by performing the actions repeatedly.
When people perform them they are temporary relieved but then anxiety
over why they are this way makes them repeat the pattern again and again.
Thoughts can be particularly disturbing and make the persons life a misery
but even so they cannot seem to stop thinking them, common obsessive thoughts
could be frequent thoughts of harming and hurting loved ones, performing
bizarre sexual acts and sexual acts that your partner doesn't like and
thoughts prohibited by religious beliefs.
While healthy people not suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder
can have thoughts such as these at certain times or perform checks to
make sure the lights are off, or the stove has been switched off, the
majority of people don't let these thoughts and rituals become obsessive
or take over their lives.
The person suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder will have no choice
in the matter, the thoughts and feelings are with them and if they even
try to stop them, the illness and symptoms are only made worse. The symptoms
of the illness can come and go over periods of time, with some respite
in-between and can vary in intensity from person to person however, in
its severity, it can severely affect the person's life.
Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder
If your Doctor has diagnosed that you have an anxiety disorder then they
will probably suggest that you seek help also through a mental health
professional, treatment for any type of anxiety disorder including obsessive-compulsive
disorder is usually with medication and cognitive therapy.
If you are prescribed anti-depressants then they will usually take around
4 to 6 weeks before you will feel any big improvement and sometimes medication
will have to be altered until the correct one for you particular problem
is found.
Anti-depressants are usually best when taken over a longer period of time
which is usually not less than 12 months, generally any less than this
and the symptoms can return. Many people suffering from obsessive-compulsive
disorder will also benefit from self-help techniques and your therapist
will be able to discuss these with you and find methods which are best
suited to you.
Techniques which are most helpful for obsessive-compulsive disorder are
stress management and meditation, learning to relax is also a crucial
step in treatment with the focus on letting go of your thoughts and feelings
and not pay too much attention to them when they appear.
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