OCD: What is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)?

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OCD: What is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)?

OCD: What is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)?

November 29, 2011 at 09:55

OCD: What is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a specific type of anxiety disorder that can has the ability to render the sufferer disabled, without the ability to function effectively. This disorder causes a person to become stuck in an endless cycle of repetitive thoughts and/or behaviors. This person becomes fixated on recurring and distressing thoughts, fears, or images in a way they cannot control. This fixation causes anxiety, and forces the person to perform certain rituals or routines as a coping mechanism for the anxiety. Depression is also a common co-existing issue with this disorder.

The ritual may work to temporarily eliminate the feeling of anxiety, but as a coping mechanism, when the obsessive thoughts return, the compulsive behavior naturally follows to ease anxiety once again. This cycle, a key symptom of the disorder, can progress to the point where it consumes hours of the day and interferes with normal, daily functioning. Although the person with OCD is most often aware their behavior is not typical, they are unable to stop the consuming thoughts and ensuing rituals.

OCD: Click here for Case Study

OCD and Common Symptoms:

Common obsessive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include:

Fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt or contaminating others.
Fear of causing harm to yourself or others.
Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts and images.
Excessive focus on religious or moral ideas.
Fear of losing or not having things you might need.
Order and symmetry: the idea that everything must line up “just right.”
Superstitions; excessive attention to something considered lucky or unlucky.

Common compulsive behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include:

Excessive double-checking of things, such as locks, appliances, and switches.
Repeatedly checking in on loved ones to make sure they’re safe.
Counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety.
Spending a lot of time washing or cleaning.
Ordering or arranging things “just so.”
Praying excessively or engaging in rituals triggered by religious fear.
Accumulating “junk” such as old newspapers or empty food containers.

Do I have OCD?

OCD and Brain Function:

Ongoing research continues to point to abnormally high rates of activity in the frontal and pre-frontal lobes, as well as the cerebellum in those suffering with OCD. The frontal lobe is involved in helping people make decisions, time activities, and move from one activity to another. The cerebellum controls motor functions, and is also vital for some cognitive activities and the timing of motions and movement. With the qEEG or Brain Map as an assessment tool, we can see the electrical activity of the brain. We can then determine where and how the dysregulation occurs allowing us to develop treatment protocols to put the brain back into balance without medication.

OCD and Treatment Options:

There are a variety of treatment options for this disorder. They include medication, nutritional, counseling, and neurofeedback interventions.

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