Making sure that the door is locked before going to bed or washing your hands before eating dinner is considered normal to most people.
However, those who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder live a life that makes these simple acts seem like a living nightmare as they repeat them in a seemingly endless cycle.
People with these symptoms live with recurring and unwanted thoughts and the urge to repeat certain actions to the point that it hinders all aspects of their lives.
Although these people recognize these unusual and extreme habits and want to be free of it, they feel unable to resist the urge and thus remain a prisoner of their symptoms.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is usually difficult to diagnose as most people who suffer from it refuse to seek treatment for fear of being ridiculed, and some simply deny that they have symptoms.
As a result, most suffer for a long time before they are given proper attention.
By the time treatment is given, healthcare professionals are faced with the challenge of helping them recover and live a normal life free of symptoms.
Although arduous, various treatment methods to address these symptoms have been developed over the years, providing effective help and relief.
Among the most common methods are behavioral therapy and medication therapy.
Behavioral therapy involves the technique exposure and response prevention.
Here, the obsessive compulsive disorder of a person are gradually decreased and finally eliminated as he is exposed to the object or situation that triggers his symptoms and is prevented from doing his usual response to the situation.
The objective is to make the person realize that his anxiety cannot be soothed by his rituals.
Medication therapy is usually used only when behavioral therapy of their symptoms failed or was not available.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs are effective in reducing symptoms, although responses may differ from person to person.
Changes in behavior are usually observed by two to three months.
Maintenance therapy with SSRIs is advised for some.
Although both behavioral and medication therapies have proven to be effective in treating most cases of obsessive compulsive disorder, there are severe cases wherein neurosurgery or deep brain stimulation may be called for.
Furthermore, treatment becomes more complicated as people who suffer from obsessions often have other disorders that need to be addressed, most commonly, depression.
And since family life is greatly affected by the symptoms aside from the individual's treatments, family therapy is recommended to help resolve conflicts that may arise.
This promotes not only a better environment for treatment but also a good opportunity to allow family members to provide support to each other.
Unfortunately, despite these treatments, not all who seek help respond positively to any of the therapies mentioned and are given relief from obsessive compulsive disorder.
The need for further in-depth research and more understanding from our society is great.
And as medicine, technology, and science progresses, knowledge on this condition, its causes, and its treatment continue to advance as well.
For most people with this condition who have accepted the fact that they need help and have sought it, treatment is a long process that requires patience and perseverance on their part and continual support and understanding from the people around them.
However, those who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder live a life that makes these simple acts seem like a living nightmare as they repeat them in a seemingly endless cycle.
People with these symptoms live with recurring and unwanted thoughts and the urge to repeat certain actions to the point that it hinders all aspects of their lives.
Although these people recognize these unusual and extreme habits and want to be free of it, they feel unable to resist the urge and thus remain a prisoner of their symptoms.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is usually difficult to diagnose as most people who suffer from it refuse to seek treatment for fear of being ridiculed, and some simply deny that they have symptoms.
As a result, most suffer for a long time before they are given proper attention.
By the time treatment is given, healthcare professionals are faced with the challenge of helping them recover and live a normal life free of symptoms.
Although arduous, various treatment methods to address these symptoms have been developed over the years, providing effective help and relief.
Among the most common methods are behavioral therapy and medication therapy.
Behavioral therapy involves the technique exposure and response prevention.
Here, the obsessive compulsive disorder of a person are gradually decreased and finally eliminated as he is exposed to the object or situation that triggers his symptoms and is prevented from doing his usual response to the situation.
The objective is to make the person realize that his anxiety cannot be soothed by his rituals.
Medication therapy is usually used only when behavioral therapy of their symptoms failed or was not available.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs are effective in reducing symptoms, although responses may differ from person to person.
Changes in behavior are usually observed by two to three months.
Maintenance therapy with SSRIs is advised for some.
Although both behavioral and medication therapies have proven to be effective in treating most cases of obsessive compulsive disorder, there are severe cases wherein neurosurgery or deep brain stimulation may be called for.
Furthermore, treatment becomes more complicated as people who suffer from obsessions often have other disorders that need to be addressed, most commonly, depression.
And since family life is greatly affected by the symptoms aside from the individual's treatments, family therapy is recommended to help resolve conflicts that may arise.
This promotes not only a better environment for treatment but also a good opportunity to allow family members to provide support to each other.
Unfortunately, despite these treatments, not all who seek help respond positively to any of the therapies mentioned and are given relief from obsessive compulsive disorder.
The need for further in-depth research and more understanding from our society is great.
And as medicine, technology, and science progresses, knowledge on this condition, its causes, and its treatment continue to advance as well.
For most people with this condition who have accepted the fact that they need help and have sought it, treatment is a long process that requires patience and perseverance on their part and continual support and understanding from the people around them.
SHARE
