1)      What are the signs and symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by either obsessions or compulsions: Obsessions are defined by:

1. Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress
2. The thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems
3. The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action
4. The person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion)

Compulsions are defined by:

1. Repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly
2. The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive

— AND: — At some point during the course of the disorder, the adult has recognized that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable (not applicable to children). The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person’s normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or usual social activities or relationships. If another disorder is present, the content of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted to it. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

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I would also like to recommend some excellent books by top people in the field. Dr. Steketee is known the world over for her reseach and treatment of OCD, and Dr. Foa is considered by many to be the top researcher in the world on this disorder. Dr. Grayson was a student of theirs and wrote an extremely competent book on the subject. I am also including below some specialized selections, such as a book on obsessions alone.

2) What are the causes of obsessive compulsive disorder? There are genetic influences, neurotransmitter influences, influences of learning and experience, and possible brain abnormalities in the occipital gyrus, the caudate nucleus or the locus ceruleus.

3) What ocd behavior therapy is available? Behavior therapy from a qualified therapist is unquestionably the treatment of choice for most variations of this condition, exceeding the results of medication and of other psychotherapies. The essential element of any behavior therapy program is called exposure with response prevention, which must be supervised and implemented by an expert in the area. In this approach, a person is voluntarily exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts and fear, then is prevented from acting upon these anxieties by engaging in ritualistic behavior.I would like to recommend some excellent books by top people in the field. Dr. Steketee is known the world over for her reseach and treatment of OCD, and Dr. Foa is considered by many to be the top researcher in the world on this disorder. Dr. Grayson was a student of theirs and wrote an extremely competent book on the subject. I am also including below some specialized selections, such as a book on obsessions alone.

4) What are the facts on OCD? (From the National Institute of Mental Health): People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer intensely from recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions), which they feel they cannot control. Rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsessions and the need to perform rituals can take over a person’s life. OCD is often a chronic, relapsing illness. Fortunately, through research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), effective treatments have been developed to help people with OCD.

5) How Common Is OCD?

• About 2% of the U.S. population has OCD in a given year.
• OCD typically begins during adolescence or early childhood; at least one-third of the cases of adult OCD began in childhood.
• OCD affects men and women equally.
• OCD cost the U.S. $8.4 billion in 1990 in social and economic losses, nearly 6% of the total mental health bill of $148 billion.

6) What happens in the brain of a person with ocd? Areas in the brain noted above will activate with panic or danger signals when triggered by conditions which do not indeed pose a realistic threat.

 

7) What are the common ocd treatments? Behavior Therapy and serotonergic antidepressants are the most common and effective.

What are the most common ocd medications? Several medications have been proven effective in helping people with OCD: clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine. If one drug is not effective, others should be tried. A number of other medications are currently being studied.

9) What are the types of ocd? One can be troubled only with obsessions or act upon the obsessions with ritualistic/escape behaviors. Many OCD patients can be divided into Checkers or Washers. Checkers monitor their environment for signs of danger, and may develop checking rituals which take a long periods of time to complete. Washers wash themselves excessively to cure perceived exposure to contaminants or other dangers in their environment. Other OCD sufferers are extremely correct in their behavior (known as scrupulosity); or hoard things; or count to themselves to avoid danger.

10) Are ocd support groups effective? Yes, they can be very helpful to OCD sufferers. Try the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation: http://www.ocfoundation.org/.

11) How can people with ocd manage? The best approach is to get expert behavior therapy possibly combined with OCD medications.

I would like to recommend some excellent books by top people in the field. Dr. Steketee is known the world over for her reseach and treatment of OCD, and Dr. Foa is considered by many to be the top researcher in the world on this disorder. Dr. Grayson was a student of theirs and wrote an extremely competent book on the subject. I am also including below some specialized selections, such as a book on obsessions alone.

12) What are the social effects of ocd? Isolation, withdrawal, social ostracism, inability to be around others, fear of others, avoidance of others.

13) Where are some good places to find ocd information? National Institute of

Mental Health:

http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/ocd/nimh/quick_facts.htm; and the OCFoundation: http://www.ocfoundation.org/.

14) Are there natural treatments for OCD?

Several years ago an article published in a prestigeous psychiatric journal reported that a randomized, double-blind trial comparing a natural supplement (which boosts Serotonin levels) with a serotonergic antidepressant had an equally positive effect on both groups of OCD patients. This was a fascinating and encouraging finding since some people with OCD have difficulty tolerating antidepressant medications.

The supplements, SAMe or L-Tyrosine may boost the amount of Serotonin which is available in the brain, and DL-Phenylalanine may boost norepinephrine. Since research on this topic is in a developmental phase, we recommend that people interested in natural remedies for OCD consult one or more physicians and other, qualified health professionals on this topic before beginning treatment. It is important when embarking on care of this kind, whether by a traditional or an alternative route, to do so while under the appropriately care of an expert.

Self-Help Resources maintains an Affiliate relationship with a product called Anxius (http://anxius.com/) because this product includes therapeutic dosages of the commonly used neurotransmitter precursor, L-Tyrosine, which may be helpful in the treatment of OCD. You may evaluate this product at the following link:

http://www.anxius.com/?a=thomasrg

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