Super Fitness Health BlogWhat Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder And How Do You Know If You Have It?
The term OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is casually tossed about nowadays – “Oh, he’s so OCD,” we often say, in reference to a friend who insists on doing things in a specific method. But what is OCD truly? OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by unstoppable, repetitive thoughts, actions, or both. It’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder when:
• Rituals take over your daily life rather than serving it
• Repetitive actions cause extreme discomfort and anxiety
• You aren’t able or willing to cease harmful thoughts or actions
OCD can affect people from all avenues of life. It’s estimated that one in 100 adults in the U.S. (that’s 2.3 million!) experience it, as well as about one out of every 200 kids. It most often begins either in the 8-12 year old age group or in the late teens/early adult years of development.
All of us have habits that help us get through our day – placing our keys in a certain place so we don’t rush around looking for them on the way out the door; going back occasionally to see if the burner is switched off. However, when routines become our masters instead of our slaves, it’s time to get professional help.
Often that help takes the form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This therapy focuses on what’s occurring right this moment, instead of in the past, and teaches new ways of thinking and reacting. Because obsessions are images or thoughts that induce extreme anxiety and stimulate the compulsive behaviors that serve to minimize that anxiety, CBT is a learned process of interrupting those harmful thoughts and transforming those rigid behaviors.
If prescription drugs are used in the treatment of OCD, they are usually anti-depressants such as Prozac® or Zoloft®. These medications can help ease overwhelming feelings of depression and anxiety so that people are better able to take part in their treatment.
With medicine alone, symptom reduction is typically experienced in 10-12 weeks; whereas 12 to 20 individual or group therapy counseling sessions are needed to bring about a decrease in troublesome behaviors. Generally treatment is some blend of the two. Counseling can help deal with the underlying issues; medication helps gentle the journey. Likewise, lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting daily exercise, and striving toward a balanced life are all excellent self-help techniques.
In any case, you’ll know your treatment has been effective if you’re able to stop unwanted thoughts and out-of-control behaviors and regain control of your life.
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