Obsessions are recurrent persistent impulsive ideas
Compulsions are repetitive and purposeful behaviors
Both are perceived as repugnant and problems
But the patient who has them cannot control them
They occur in the second decade in women
Women are affected more than men
Common obsessions are thoughts of contamination
There may be frequent hand washing and hygiene obsession
Others are repetitive checking of locked doors
Or frequent checking of dirt on the floors
There is associated anxiety and depression
Ways are used to prevent accidents and violence
Neurological and psychological assessments
May be required to help in mental modification
Medications may also help in therapy
Hopefully the patient will end up well and happy
-An original poem by Kenneth Kee
Interesting Tips about the OCD
A Healthy Lifestyle
1. Take a well Balanced Diet
2. Medicines may help reduce anxiety and depression from OCD.
Talk therapy is thought to be the most effective treatment for OCD.
In some cases medicines combined with talk therapy is more effective than either treatment alone.
a. Alteration of lifestyle and job to reduce anxiety
b. Psychotherapy focused on explanation of immediate problems
c. Correction and modification of behavior
d. Use of antidepressant and serotonin blockers
3. Keep bones and body strong
Bone marrow produces our blood
Eat foods rich in calcium like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables.
Eat foods rich in Vitamin D, like eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and fortified milk.
Eat food rich in Vitamins B and C such as green vegetables and fruits
Zinc and other minerals are important to the body
4. Get enough rest and Sleep
Avoid stress and tension
5. Exercise and stay active.
It is best to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights for 2½ hours a week.
One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week.
Begin slowly especially if a person has not been active.
6. Do not drink more than 2 alcohol drinks a day for a man or 1 alcohol drink a day for a woman.
Alcohol use also increases the chance of falling and breaking a bone.
Alcohol can affect the neurons and brain cells.
Alcohol can irritate the eye.
7. Stop or do not begin smoking.
It also interferes with blood supply and healing.
Cigarettes contain more than forty types of hazardous and possibly cancer causing chemicals which can harm the smokers and those around them
Smoke can cause unconscious rubbing of the eyes.
Chapter 1
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition in which a person is preoccupied with rules, orderliness and control.
1. Obsessions:
Obsessions are defined as the persistent recurrent ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that are voluntarily produced but invade the consciousness of the affected person.
It is a psychological problem with patient becoming so conscious with his or her obsession that he or she becomes not interested in any else.
2. Compulsions:
Compulsions are repetitive and seemingly purposeful behaviors performed accordingly to certain rules or in a stereotyped fashion.
Patients most of the time realize that they have such an obsession or compulsion but are unable to control them.
Who is at risk of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders?
This condition is more prevalent in women than in men.
Onsets usually occur in the second or third decade of life.
What is the cause of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders?
There is no organic demonstrable cause to the illness.
The disease may present in a mild form and may be exaberated by some trivial incident.
Introduction
Chapter 1 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Chapter 2 Interesting Facts about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
