Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession.
The behaviors typically prevent or reduce a person's distress related to an obsession. Compulsions may be excessive responses that are directly relate to an obsession such as excessive hand washing due to the fear of contamination or actions that are completely unrelated to the obsession.
In the most severe cases, a constant repetition of rituals may fill the day, making a normal routine impossible. Patients with OCD who receive appropriate treatment commonly experience an increased improved quality of life and improved functioning.
Treatment may improve an individual's ability to function at school and work, develop and enjoy relationships, and pursue leisure activities.
One effective treatment is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT known as exposure and response prevention. During treatment sessions, patients are exposed to feared situations or images that focus on their obsessions, initially leading to increased anxiety. Patients are instructed to avoid performing their usual compulsive behaviors known as response prevention.
By staying in a feared situation without anything terrible happening, patients learn that their fearful thoughts are just thoughts rather than reality. People learn that they can cope with their obsessions without relying on ritualistic behaviors, and their anxiety decreases over time. Using evidence-based guidelines, therapists and patients typically collaborate to develop an exposure plan that gradually moves from lower anxiety situations to higher anxiety situations.
Exposures are performed both in treatment sessions and at home. Some people with OCD especially those with limited insight into their illness may not agree to participate in CBT because of the initial anxiety it evokes.. A class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , typicall used to treat depression, can also be effective in the treatment of OCD.
Patients who do not respond to one SSRI medication sometimes respond to another. She enlisted friends at work and family at home to sit with her so she would never be alone.
Terrifying, intrusive thoughts no longer haunt Anne, who sees a clinical psychologist specializing in OCD. But she still has a habit of seeking reassurance, a common trait among people with OCD. But she is compelled to gather their opinions because what if people really like rolls, or different types of rolls?
Laura, a year-old alcohol and substance use recovery blogger, says her compulsions are mostly mental: She repeats phrases or sentences in her head. When I asked for an example, her voice rose in pitch, as if she were panicked, telling me that reciting them aloud might trigger an OCD episode.
But she did recall one vivid event from her adolescence. To stop her, he sat on her hands. Actually, researchers have yet to pinpoint the cause of OCD. But risk factors include genetics, physical or sexual abuse in childhood, and differences in brain structure and function. A recent review of studies involving brain scans of people with OCD suggests a brain circuitry problem may be to blame for repetitive behaviors. Although this approach may cause feelings of anxiety at first, compulsions decrease for most people as they continue treatment.
Children with OCD may need additional help from family members and health care providers when it comes to recognizing and managing their OCD symptoms. Mental health professionals can work with young patients to identify strategies for managing stress and increasing support so that the children are able to manage their OCD symptoms at school and at home.
Your health care provider may prescribe medication to help treat OCD. With SRI treatment, it may take up to 8 to 12 weeks before symptoms begin to improve, and treatment for OCD may require higher SRI doses than are typically used in treating depression.
For some people, these medications may cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, or difficulty sleeping. People respond to medication in different ways, but most people with OCD find that medication, often in combination with psychotherapy, can help them manage their symptoms. Your health care provider can adjust medication doses over time to minimize any side effects or withdrawal symptoms. Do not stop taking your medication without talking to your health care provider first. Your health care provider will work with you to monitor your health and can adjust the treatment plan in a safe and effective way.
The most up-to-date information on medications, side effects, and warnings is available on the U. Your health care provider can refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, who has experience treating OCD and can evaluate your symptoms. If you or someone you know is having thoughts about wanting to die or is thinking about hurting themselves or someone else, get help quickly.
Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. Although individuals may benefit from being part of a clinical trial, participants should be aware that the primary purpose of a clinical trial is to gain new scientific knowledge so that others may be better helped in the future.
Researchers at NIMH and around the country conduct many studies with patients and healthy volunteers. Talk to your health care provider about clinical trials, their benefits and risks, and whether one is right for you.
This publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from NIMH. Citation of NIMH as a source is appreciated. Statistics NIMH statistics pages include statistics on the prevalence, treatment, and costs of mental illness for the population of the United States. Help for Mental Illnesses If you or someone you know has a mental illness, there are ways to get help. Clinical Trials If you or a friend or family member are thinking about taking part in clinical research, this page contains basic information about clinical trials.
Stakeholder Engagement Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support. Education and Awareness Use these free mental health education and outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about topics like eating disorders, autism awareness, and suicide prevention.
Application Process Explore the NIMH grant application process, including how to write your grant, how to submit your grant, and how the review process works. Small Business Research Learn about funding opportunities for small businesses.
Meetings and Events Details about upcoming events — including meetings, conferences, workshops, lectures, webinars, and chats — sponsored by the NIMH. Multimedia NIMH videos and podcasts featuring science news, lecture series, meetings, seminars, and special events. Press Resources Information about NIMH, research results, summaries of scientific meetings, and mental health resources.
Innovation Speaker Series NIMH hosts an annual lecture series dedicated to innovation, invention, and scientific discovery. Gordon, M. Advisory Boards and Groups Read about the boards and groups that advise and provide guidance to the Institute. Share Page. Create a consistent sleep schedule.
0コメント