Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Living a happy and fulfilling life with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a definite possibility. AKUA Mind & Body is here to help!
We utilize a blended therapy approach to treat the whole person, taking mental and social factors into consideration, rather than treating just the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Our treatment program provides clients with the tools needed to effectively manage unwanted repetitive and persistent thoughts that are either repressed or carried out by these compulsions.
Compulsions are repetitive actions in response to the persistent thoughts to relieve the tension and anxiety brought by the thoughts. OCD often centers on themes such as a fear of germs or the need to arrange objects in a specific manner. Symptoms usually begin gradually and vary throughout life. Treatment includes talk therapy, medications, or a combination of both. Examples of compulsions include tapping, counting, praying, checking, hand washing, cleaning, and repeating words.
Signs & symptoms of OCD
Since obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by both obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions, each of these subsets has its unique list of symptoms:
Obsessive thoughts
- Fear of contamination
- Fear of uncertainty
- Fear of losing control and harming others
- Sexual thoughts
- Aggressive thoughts Need for symmetry and order
- Doubts associated with leaving the stove on or doors unlocked
- Fears about having a disease or medical illness
- Concerns about losing something or throwing away something valuable
AKUA Mind & Body Treatment Program
AKUA Mind & Body utilizes a blend of holistic approaches combined with evidence-based treatment and medication assistance to help individuals who have been affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This treatment approach allows clients to recognize their underlying triggers and then provides guidance to develop healthy coping skills.
The misuse of “OCD”
The term “OCD” is often thrown around casually in conversations and is even joked upon in regard to individuals who adopt perfectionistic quirks. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health disorder that can warrant many individuals not to leave their homes or beds due to persistent negative intrusive thoughts. This disorder can potentially be debilitating and differs drastically from an individual who is overly organized or demonstrates perfectionism. Perfectionism is a character trait, whereas OCD is a mental health disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can often go undiagnosed, and many individuals may think they have a “type A personality” or consider themselves a “perfectionist.” OCD can also be misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder or obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
How to deal with obsessive-compulsive disorder
Treatment of OCD is aimed at treating the symptoms through a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Exposure and response prevention work to gradually increase the severity of the thoughts and compulsions to the individual in an attempt for the individual to become accustomed to these exposures and no longer experience an increased fear regarding these distressful thoughts.
We tend to use words such as ‘obsessive’ and ‘compulsive’ in a casual manner, but obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious matter. Often marked by obsessions, compulsions and subsequent distress, OCD is marked as one of the top listed reasons of illness-led disability for individuals between 15 and 44 years of age.However, with new studies and research on helping those coping OCD emerge, new ways such as psychotherapy and exposure to light may help cure OCD.
Recent research conducted by scientists at Binghamton University has revealed that individuals living at higher latitudes with less sunlight have higher chances of OCD.
These individuals generally are reported to have problems with sleeping till late. To compensate for their lack of sleep, a delayed sleep-wake pattern is adopted which prevents them from morning light. This particular behavior imbalance the body’s internal biology and the external light-dark cycle. This also leads them to have middling opportunities to coordinate their circadian clock, resulting in increased OCD symptoms.
Symptoms of OCD
OCD is a brain disorder described by invasive, repeated and anxiety-causing thoughts, and doubtful ritualistic behaviors. Unmanageable urges and thoughts like recurrent anxiety about dirt, germs or personal safety are known obsessions associated with OCD. Some of the common examples include excessive hand-washing, checking taps, switches, doors etc.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), close to 2.2 million adults are impacted by OCD across the United States. These habits and conducts of can be harmful to the individual if not taken care of.
Some of the symptoms of OCD may include:
- Constant fear of making a mistake : Individuals with OCD are always in fear of mistakenly committing a big error, being disrespectful to others or harming their dear ones.
- Invasive thoughts: Individuals coping with OCD deal with invasive thoughts on a regular basis. These thoughts may revolve around their relationships, sexual thoughts, dirt, germs, religious thoughts or assault which can cause increasing internal chaos. The failure to detach themselves from these thoughts often cause splits in their personal relationships.
- Urge to double check things : checking things multiple times reassure the individual. This results in compulsive behaviors such as repetitively-checking water taps, switches and even things they normally carry with them.
- Preoccupation of particular patterns or planning : Patients coping with OCD are generally obsessed with particular patterns and orders. They stick to definite inflexible standards when ordering things such as books, magazines and others.
- Belief in signs, symbols or superstitions : Those who are coping with OCD often believe that if they do not follow defined signs, symbols or rituals, something bad will happen to them. Furthermore, they assume certain digits or colors to be related to good or bad fortune.
Treatment of OCD
OCD is generally treated with medications, psychotherapy or a combination of both. Medications may include serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SRIs) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) while psychotherapy includes cognitive behavior therapy (CB. The latter has been proven to be as effective as medication. Furthermore, in recent studies, exposure to light may help cure OCD. Morning light can help regulate their sleeping patterns and lead to less anxiety and insomnia.
Mental health and illnesses have been on the rise in the United States yet, many still find it difficult to reach out for help. At AKUA Mind & Body, our clinical specialists understand that focusing solely on mental health can help one recover from their life-estranging mental problems. Call our 24/7 helpline for more information about our detox, residential treatment or intensive outpatient program (IOP).