Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD
presence of intrusive recurring unwanted ideas, images, or impulses that may even seem silly, weird, nasty, or horrible (obsessions) to the person experiencing them, accompanied by urges to do something that will relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession (compulsions). Experts estimate that obsessive-compulsive disorder affects about 2% of the population during any six month period, affecting both men and women equally. The obsessions are often related to a sense of harm, risk, or danger. Common obsessions include concerns about contamination (for example, worrying that touching a doorknob will cause disease), doubts (for example, worrying that the front door was not locked), fear of loss, and fear of physically injuring someone. The vast majority (over 95%) of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder feel compelled to perform rituals – repetitive, purposeful, intentional acts. Rituals used to control an obsession include washing or cleaning to be rid of contamination, checking to allay doubt, hoarding to prevent loss, and avoiding the people who might become objects of aggression. Most rituals, such as excessive hand washing or repeated checking to make sure a door has been locked, can be observed. Other rituals, such as repetitive counting or making statements intended to diminish danger, cannot be observed. Obsessions are not always accompanied by compulsions. Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder are aware that their obsessive thoughts don not reflect actual risks and that their compulsive behaviors are ineffective. Obsessive compulsive disorder also differs from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, in which specific personality traits are defined (for example, being a perfectionist). Because people with obsessive compulsive disorder are aware that their compulsive behaviors are excessive to the point of being bizarre and are afraid they will be embarrassed or stigmatized, they often perform their rituals secretly, even though the rituals may occur several hours each day. It is estimated that around 35% of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder are depressed at the time the disorder is diagnosed. Altogether, 65% become depressed at some point during their battle with OCD. Conventional Treatment Exposure therapy is effective in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. Exposure therapy involves exposing the person to the situations or people that trigger obsessions, rituals, or discomfort. The person’s discomfort or anxiety will gradually diminish if he prevents himself from performing the ritual during repeated exposure to the provocative stimulus. In this way, the person learns that rituals are unnecessary for decreasing discomfort. The improvement usually persists for years, probably because people who have mastered this self-help approach continue to practice it as a way of life without much effort after formal treatment has ended. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, are effective. Certain other antidepressant drugs are also used, but much less often. Many experts believe that a combination of behavior therapy and drug therapy is the best treatment for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis have generally not been effective for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Natural Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies There are a number of herbal and homeopathic remedies that may assist in the struggle against OCD. The benefit of a natural approach is that correctly formulated remedies can have all the benefits of medicinal treatment without the negative side effects of prescription drugs. OCD is strongly associated with imbalances in brain chemistry and there are a number of herbal remedies that have been shown to be effective in restoring chemical balance and neurological health in the brain. In addition, because anxiety levels contribute significantly to OCD symptoms, herbal and homeopathic remedies that help to reduce anxiety levels may also be of benefit in the treatment of OCD. Used alone or in conjunction with psychotherapy, herbal and homeopathic remedies can be used in OCD treatment to help address the symptoms of OCD in a gentle, natural way. Some commonly recommended remedies include Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort), Passiflora incarnata, Scuttelaria laterifolia (Scullcap) and Valerian. Discuss this option with your doctor or consult a homeopath or naturopath for advice.
Smart Living for Modern Medicine Merck Manual for Medical Information Native Remedies
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