Obsessive-compulsive disorder

In most people, the phrase "mentaldisorder "is associated with at least schizophrenia, a straitjacket and soft walls. In fact, the spectrum of mental disorders is quite wide, and indeed, mental health is a relative term, it is very difficult in the modern world to find an absolutely healthy physically and mentally human. Therefore, the neurosis of compulsive states is not such a rare thing.

The neurosis of compulsive states is also called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A person suffering from this disorder involuntarily gets obsessive thoughts and ideas - obsessions. They interfere with him or frighten him. To get rid of them, a person begins to perform obsessive and tedious actions - compulsions. It happens that obsessive thoughts are based on well-founded fears and unrest, but they are practically brought to the point of absurdity.

One of the most famous examples of OCD is obsessive hand washing. Washing hands after the street and before eating is quitenormal hygienic procedure. But it happens that the fear of microbes in a person goes off scale, and he washes his hands every free minute, avoids handshakes and touches. After washing his hands, the person calms down for a while, but then the fear of contracting rolls over again, and he again goes to wash his hands.

To varying degrees, obsessionsfamiliar to many of us. To some extent they are even useful: once again to check whether the gas is off, it will not hurt. If the obsession does not interfere with you and does not affect others, do not fight it, everything is fine. But if such sticky ideas prevent you from living, it's worth starting to worry: perhaps you develop a compulsive disorder neurosis.

Obsessions are divided into three main types: intellectual (thoughts, memories,fantasy), emotional (phobias - irrational fears) and motor (repetition of certain actions - rituals). Actually, in the first two types the obsession comes to the fore, in the third - compulsion. At the heart of the action will still lie either fear (say, fear of illness), or idea-idea (conviction that a certain ritual will bring you luck).

How to determine that the neurosis of obsessions has become a problem? If such conditions are permanent and long-lasting, they are accompanied by severe fear or are painful in nature, in general, in every possible way prevent you from living, you shouldcontact a specialist. If the neurosis of compulsive states is expressed in the form of rituals, and satisfaction after their implementation is short-lived - you also have a problem.

The neurosis of compulsive states can be due to various causes, from stress to trauma and brain damage, from fatigue to mental illness. There are a lot of theories about its causes. Some people are more prone to this syndrome than others.. Predisposition to the development of OCD may beis due to heredity, individual characteristics of the psyche and the level of intelligence, because the very nature of this disorder is based on complex patterns of thinking.

Overcome the obsessive-compulsive disorder is helped by a psychiatrist after diagnosis (a mandatory criterion is the presence of obsessions,compulsions or both). For treatment use psychotherapy, medication, physiotherapy. Depends on the choice of methods of treatment, including on the severity of the disorder (measured on a special scale). If obsessive conditions do not cause you discomfort and do not harm you or others, you do not need to consult a doctor.

In order not to have to see a doctor, it is better to prevent the development of the obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessions have everyone, the main thing is not to let them take over. Do not try to develop an obsession, notfantasize on this topic: the more you develop it, the more likely it is that the neurosis of compulsive states will evolve on the basis of the idea. But do not forbid yourself to think about it in the order: the more you try not to think about the pink elephant, the more you think about it.

The best thing is switching attention. As soon as you feel that some idea has become too much to occupy you, try to shift attention to some creative activity that will completely absorb you. It can be writing a dissertation, embroiderycross, work in a shelter for homeless animals - anything. In no case should you try to distract yourself from the idea with the help of alcohol and drugs: alcohol and drug intoxication only exacerbate OCD syndrome.

Do not let obsessive thoughts and ideas spoil your life, fight them. And if they still began to poison your existence, do not be afraid to see a doctor.