The Mysteries of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD is a type of anxiety disorder that can dominate people's lives. Obsessional thoughts, ideas, impulses or images involuntarily and inappropriately intrude, prompted by a mysterious internal trigger. While the sufferer may know that the obsessions are the product of his own mind, he cannot make them go away. Compulsions are the repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that may accompany obsessions.
The range of possible obsessions and compulsions is unlimited, but therapists tend to see some categories more than others. Fear of contamination is common. Sufferers may go to lengthy efforts to avoid feared germs, dirt or disease. They may refuse to eat unless they have personally prepared the food, avoid shaking hands, or wash their hands so frequently as to cause pain and bleeding.
Another common obsession involves repeated doubts. Someone may wonder if they've done something such as having left the stove on or having locked a pet in a closet. The person cannot find peace until they have checked and rechecked. This can have serious consequences such as losing a job for chronic lateness due to repeated checkings or the frustration of a spouse who can't understand why their partner has to keep going back inside to check things.
A need to have things in a particular order can be another sign of obsession-compulsive disorder. Some people can concentrate or work only after they have completed elaborate organizing rituals. One person had to touch each item on his desk eleven times in order before beginning his work. If the phone rang or someone entered his office, he would have to begin again. On busy mornings, an hour could be wasted, causing him to fall seriously behind and fear being in trouble with his boss.
Aggressive or sexual images sometimes trouble the person with obsessive-compulsive disorder. A weekly churchgoer and active member of her congregation dreads shouting an obscenity during services. A long married, faithful wife cannot stop a detailed and personally unappealing pornographic image from intruding in the middle of day-to-day conversations. A young mother is exhausted from worrying that she will suddenly hurt her child, though she has no history of being anything but terrifically loving and gentle.
OCD is very often a hidden disorder. Because the thoughts or rituals embarrass the sufferer, they don't tell anyone about them, fearing they'll be labeled crazy. They keep their mysterious and strange quirks to themselves and often live in dread of being found out.
In the past, obsessive-compulsive disorder was only marginally treatable. But with new research in the areas of neurology, psychiatry and genetics, we are beginning to make headway into this baffling area. New technologies which enable us to see inside the brain are pointing to unique patterns of abnormalities in the brain functioning of people with OCD. The evidence is growing for the neurological basis for this disorder.
Most treatments involve a combination of medication, supportive counseling and behavior modification. Just identifying the disorder is powerful and liberating for someone who has all their life hidden their symptoms. Most people can find relief and some recover completely. Many times the secondary problem of depression has developed and also needs treating. Family education and support can be invaluable and support groups are also available.
