OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

An Anxiety disorder

WHAT IS OBSESSIVE COMPULSION DISORDER?

Unreasonable thoughts and fears, known as obsessions, that cause repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

One could have only one and still have OCD People may try to ignore them, but they have

difficulty doing so

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO SUFFER FROM OCD?

It affects my everyday life I am always late I have constant fears I suffer from anxiety

COMMON MYTHS OF OCD

1. It cannot be treated2. It is a brain disease3. People with OCD are just crazy4. Bad parenting causes OCD5. They make good accountants

TYPES OF OCDS

Checking

Contamination/Mental Contamination

Hoarding

Ruminations/Intrusive thoughts

CHECKING OCD

I suffer from this OCD which impacts my life in many ways such as:

Running late for meetings, appointments, etc.

Job responsibilities

Damages objects

Personal relationships

WHY I HAVE A CHECKING OCD

 I check since I have a fear of harming accidentally or impulsively

 It helps me reduce stress when I am uncertain or doubtful of a consequence

When a random thought pops in my head that I consider a threat, I check

I believe that if I think of something bad, it will likely occur

EVERYDAY LIFE FOR ME CONSISTS OF…

Checking my memory to make sure a bad thought did not actually happen

Repeatedly locking my car doors  Searching illnesses and symptoms online to

be certain I have not developed anything new

Calling and Texting throughout the entire day in case anything happens to someone

Always fearing that I did something wrong Re-reading words or lines to make sure I take

in the information

BEFORE I LEAVE THE HOUSE I ALWAYS HAVE TO CHECK……

The stove knobs

House lights

Appliances  

Candles

Water taps 

Door locks  

House alarm  

Windows 

Wallet or purse

Because I am afraid the house will burn down

Because I am afraid the house will flood

Because I am afraid a burglar will break in

Because I am afraid I will lose my cards

CONTAMINATION OCD

Those with contamination OCD are constantly cleaning themselves as well as their homes

They have a constant fear that things are contaminated and will cause harm to them

They will repeatedly wash their hands and body until they feel it is clean

Someone with a contamination OCD will completely avoid places that they are concerned are contaminated

THOSE WITH A CONTAMINATION OCD HAVE TROUBLE

Using public toilets Coming into contact with chemicals Shaking hands Touching door knobs/handles  Using public telephones  Visiting hospitals  Eating in a cafe/restaurant   Touching banisters on staircases  Being in a crowd   Clothes Excessive Tooth Brushing  Cleaning of Kitchen and Bathroom  

HOARDING

Inability to get rid of useless possessions In the past this was less responsive to

treatment than other forms of OCD but now various forms of treatment have been discovered

RUMINATIONS

A series of prolonged thinking about a question or theme that is undirected and unproductive

Not objectionable and are indulged rather than resisted

Tend to be on religious, philosophical, or metaphysical topics

Origins of the universe, life after death, the nature of morality and many more are common

INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS

 Repetitive, disturbing obsessional thoughts Covers the following topics: Relationships Sexual Thoughts Magical Thinking Religious Violent Thoughts

AVOIDANCE

People with OCD, as myself, will avoid mostly anything that triggers their particular OCD

This includes objects, places or people By doing this it avoids the stress that these

cause Since I have a checking problem, I avoid

tasks or situations that involves responsibility

TRIGGERS

A place, person or object that sets off an obsession, a feeling of discomfort, or an urge

Can be physical or mental Examples:

sharp objects dead person

TREATMENT

Family or group therapy Refocus attention Write them down Anticipate urges Make a worry period Create a tape of your OCD Medicine

HOW I PLAN ON TREATING IT

I will try to refocus my attention to something else so that I these thoughts do not come to mind

Exercising, listening to music, reading, and many more common activities can help me overcome this disorder

HOW I PLAN ON TREATING IT

I realize I have a problem and will try to fix it I will try to limit myself to checking only a

certain number of times I will write my problems down and seek help

WHY IS TREATMENT IMPORTANT?

OCD can be a harmful disorder that can lead to physical problems as well as mental

OCD should not be taken lightly and is important that you accept it and get treatment

If you ignore it, it will lead to even more stress