OCDer ... um maybe

Thursday, 10 December 2009 01:00

Editorials - Did You Know

When you think of someone with an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), what comes to your mind? A loony person that is obsessed with ___? I’ll let you fill in the blank. Just think about it for a second.

Do you think you could be suffering from an OCD? How about a friend? Do you or anyone you know have uncontrollable urges to do the same thing over and over again, for fear of not doing it the way it has always been done? We aren’t talking about superstitious or uptight people here.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is nothing like a superstition and is not some “uptight & rigid” person’s “anal” personality. OCD is a life-debilitating condition that often confines people, induces substance abuse, creates suicidal thoughts, and is often the cause of severe depression.

In reality, OCD is a mental condition that often goes misdiagnosed, under-diagnosed or undiagnosed … it equally afflicts all races & ethnicities of men, women and children. The National Institute of Mental Health states that approximately 2.2 million American adults are affected by it, and 2 in every 100 adolescents are diagnosed with it. Researchers conclude that OCD symptoms present themselves in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood, and research also indicates that OCD might run in families. Currently, no one knows what causes OCD but some scientific researchers have discovered a chemical imbalance in the brain, the chemical culprit is serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that acts in the brain and other parts of the body to influence many feelings, behaviors, and processes.

Some people may say, “Well, I have habits, and I like to do things a certain way. That doesn’t mean I have an OCD.” From researching about OCD’s, one would learn the difference between habits and “obsessive-compulsive” actions. A person with an OCD will perform actions, also known as rituals, over and over again. OCD suffers disregard that these very repetitive actions interfere with their daily lives and are distressing.

What are some symptoms of OCD?

People with OCD:

• have repeated thoughts or images about many different things, such as fear of germs, dirt, or intruders; violence; hurting loved ones; sexual acts; conflicts with religious beliefs; or being overly neat.
• do the same rituals over and over such as washing hands, locking and unlocking doors, counting, keeping unneeded items, or repeating the same steps again and again.
• have unwanted thoughts and behaviors they can’t control.
• don’t get pleasure from the behaviors or rituals, but get brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause.
• spend at least an hour a day on the thoughts and rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of daily life, such as being afraid of hitting someone with their car, then driving around for a substantial amount of time retracing their driving route, looking for person or signs of an accident.

For more information, visit International OCD Foundation

International OCD Foundation – Find treatment providers & resources, discover local support groups, learn of the latest research on OCD, learn about government legislation to help OCD sufferers; www.ocfoundation.org

Take an online Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) test developed by Anxiety Disorders Association of America (IMPORTANT NOTICE: this test is NOT a substitute for professional advice; Consult your doctor with all health, medical and mental questions and concerns); www.adaa.org/treatOCD/help_OCDselftest.html

View video below depicting an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) sufferer:

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