an Overview of thean Overview of the

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDEROBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Treatments for Anxiety and Depression have been in existence for several centuries.

Anxiety is not a new phenomenon and has existed ever since the birth of the human race.

However, its magnitude has increased in recent times owing to modern lifestyle and the

need to maintain lifestyle standards in the society. It is no surprise that the percentage of

population experiencing stress and undergoing depression is increasing rapidly and the

onset of such illnesses is as early as childhood. The need to be perfect and low tolerance

has contributed to several phobias and obsessive disorders. The more popular of them all

is the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD).

It may be normal for all humans to check twice if the lights are turned off or the car is

locked but in the case of OCD, these thoughts and actions become so excessive that they

gradually begin to knock your regular routine down. Despite the reality check you do on

yourself, it becomes difficult to cut down on those thoughts and break free from the

irrational urges. Gaining control of even one task may become the single most objective

every day.

So, what is OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD is treated in every anxiety and depression

treatment center. This is a specific kind of anxiety disorder that is accompanied by

uncontrollable urges to repetitively indulge in behaviors that become ritualized in every

sense of the word. An individual with OCD may even understand his or her irrational

behavior and recognize those unwanted repetitive acts but find it difficult not to do so.

In OCD, the brain gets stuck to a particular thought or thought pattern and refuses to

budge. Checking the stove at least 25 times to see if its turned off or washing your hands

and legs over and over again until skin feels raw are some examples of OCD.

Categories of OCD

Washers

Often afraid of contamination, the washers are the ones that regularly clean or

wash their hands and legs fearing germ attack or just about contamination of any

kind.

Checkers

This is one of the more popular kinds. Checkers are engulfed by the urge to check

on things repetitively to eliminate chances of danger.

Doubters and Sinners

Individuals who constantly fear that they are wrong-doers and are likely to be

punished for their sins form this category.

Hoarders

These are the individuals who do not discard or throw away anything thinking that

something bad can happen if they do so.

Counters and Arrangers

Some individuals are obsessed with order, numbers, colors, arrangement or

symmetry and just about everything must fall into a specific order for them.

The OCD Cycle

Obsessions & Compulsions

Postpartum OCD

Facts & Myths

Treatments

As part of treatments for anxiety and depression, Cognitive Behavior Therapy(CBT)

has emerged as one of the more successful techniques to cure OCD. Repeated exposure to

the source of obsession and identifying efficient ways to respond to such obsessive

thoughts are the focus elements of this therapy.

www.midwestcenter.com

The Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety

Los Angeles, CA