For many sufferers, it seems that they are born with a predisposition to the condition and then their upbringing, environment, and life events act as triggers, leading them to develop OCD. While it can be difficult to break free from the obsessions and compulsions you live with every day, it is possible. OCD treatment includes cognitive-behavioral therapies, which are evidence-based and effective.
When combined with medication, such as antidepressants, this treatment can help you manage your symptoms and live a fully functional and satisfying life. A new form of OCD treatment also exists. Transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS is a non-invasive procedure that activates cells in the prefrontal cortex and can help regulate your mood and overall mental health. Your email address will not be published. Call Today: What Causes OCD?
Valon Ford Updated on August 21, However, there are many potential causes of this mental illness, involving one or a combination of the following : Biological factors Genetic factors Learned behavior Cognitive theory Environmental factors Biological Factors Brain imaging studies have shown that OCD patients have functional abnormalities in the brain compared to healthy minds. However, studies have failed to identify specific genes responsible for OCD.
But they are likely not the only cause. Environmental Factors Stressful life events can trigger OCD in people who are already vulnerable to the condition. Leave Comment. Post Comment. Prev Post. Next Post. Insurance Depression. Get In Touch Care successtms. The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Always consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. Having suicidal thoughts? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at Yes, Let's beat depression. They can also have a negative effect on education and employment. The person may avoid anything that might trigger their obsessive fears.
OCD can make it difficult for people to perform everyday activities like eating, drinking, shopping or reading.
Some people may become housebound. OCD is often compounded by depression and other anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, panic disorder and separation anxiety. People with OCD are often acutely embarrassed about their symptoms and will put great effort into hiding them. It is possible that several factors interact to trigger the development of OCD. The underlying causes may be further influenced by stressful life events, hormonal changes and personality traits.
Psychological treatment such as cognitive behaviour therapy can improve symptoms, and this improvement is often maintained in the long term. Cognitive behaviour therapy aims to change patterns of thinking, beliefs and behaviours that may trigger anxiety and obsessive compulsive symptoms.
This therapy uses education to promote control over symptoms. The education includes information that helps to expose myths about the causes of OCD.
Part of the therapy involves gradually exposing the person to situations that trigger their obsessions and, at the same time, helping them to reduce their compulsions and avoidance behaviours.
This process is gradual and usually begins with less feared situations. The exposure tasks and prevention of compulsions are repeated daily and consistently until anxiety decreases. Over time, this allows the person to rebuild trust in their capacity to manage and function, even with anxiety.
This process is known as exposure and response prevention ERP. Cognitive behaviour therapy should be undertaken with a skilled, specialist mental health professional. Over-use of alcohol, drugs and some medications may interfere with the success of this type of treatment. Anxiety management techniques can help a person to manage their own symptoms.
Such techniques can include relaxation training, slow breathing techniques , mindfulness meditation and hyperventilation control. These techniques require regular practice and are most effective if used together with a cognitive behaviour therapy treatment program.
Support groups allow people with OCD and their families to meet in comfort and safety, and give and receive support. The groups also provide the opportunity to learn more about the disorder and to develop social networks. Some medications, especially antidepressants that affect the serotonin system, have been found to reduce the symptoms of OCD.
This medication can only be prescribed by a medical practitioner. Side effects of antidepressants may include nausea, headaches, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness and tiredness. These effects often decline after the first few weeks of treatment. If your side effects are severe or last for a long time, you should discuss this with your doctor. It usually takes several weeks for medication to deliver any effects. When reducing or stopping medication, the dose should be reduced slowly under medical supervision.
Assessment and treatment in hospital can be helpful for some people, particularly when symptoms are severe. A stay in hospital may last from several days to a few weeks. There are many ways that you can help yourself in addition to seeking therapy.
Some suggestions are:. American Psychiatric Association; Accessed Sept. Suicidality in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed Aug. Gabriel M, et al. Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. Canadian Medical Association Journal. Zai G, et al. New insights and perspectives on genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatric Genetics. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. National Institute of Mental Health. Mental health medications. Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD. Mayo Clinic; Depression basics. Merck Manual Professional Version. Woody EZ, et al. Obsessive compulsive disorder OCD : Current treatments and a framework for neurotherapeutic research. Advances in Pharmacology. Accessed Feb.
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