Obsessive-compulsive disorder

The term "obsessive-compulsive disorder" at first glance may seem very difficult to understand for a person not related to medicine. However, it is enough to know that “obsessions” are obsessive thoughts, and “compulsions” are actions dictated by obsessive thoughts. Thus, obsessive-compulsive disorder is presented as a mental disorder in which a person observes obsessive, constant, annoying thoughts that compel him to take appropriate actions.

According to the prevailing dominant in the brain, the actions performed should lead to the realization of thought, its logical completion (as in a healthy person). However, with obsession, thoughts appear again and again, forcing the same actions to be repeated many times, turning into compulsions.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be accompanied by various phobias. Internal fear and anxiety appear in those situations when the next episode of obsessions and compulsions occurs. For example, as such an attack, you can consider the constant check of the pocket for the presence or loss of a wallet. Fear or anxiety will increase in public transport, in crowded places, etc., where the risk of losing a wallet is significantly increased.

Despite the fact that a person is fully aware of his problem, he is not able to independently get rid of obsessive thoughts and actions. This leads to an oppressed state, the limitation of oneself in social life, sometimes to isolation and depression.

Causes and factors contributing to the occurrence of obsessive-compulsive disorders

There are several theories that explain the occurrence of obsessive-compulsive disorder with varying degrees of probability. The most proven is biochemical, according to which a violation of the synthesis and secretion of neurotransmitters (substances involved in the transmission of nerve impulses between neurons) leads to this mental disorder.

The biochemical theory has a close relationship with the theory of organ damage to the brain (trauma, tumor, infection, vascular pathology) and endocrine changes in the body, since all these pathological conditions can directly affect the metabolism of neurotransmitters in the nervous tissue.

The risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder is significantly higher in people with an accentuation of personality, with a history of mental trauma, serious conflict or chronic stress. A certain influence is exerted by the social environment of a person, his upbringing, attitude to people around him, things, events.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be hereditary or occur with genetic breakdowns.

The clinical picture of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder begins with an obsession, which may be accompanied by anxiety. Obsession is characterized by duration, repeatability, suspiciousness. It is impossible to get rid of such thoughts even by willpower, which depresses a person even more. Obsessions can be various images or drives, sometimes completely foreign to the patient. Fighting them does not bring any success.

The only way or way to get rid of obsessive thoughts is compulsions - the same obsessive actions, a cycle of the same, stereotyped actions. Although in reality these actions are useless, meaningless and have no real benefit, they can get rid of obsession, which, in the end, brings a sense of temporary satisfaction, a completed job or a "completed duty". As well as with obsessive thoughts, the patient is not able to independently deal with compulsions.

Anxiety accompanying obsessive-compulsive disorder occurs in those situations that can provoke another exacerbation: leaving the house (checking the door lock is closed, electrical appliances turned off), leaving the bath (checking taps), touching various objects (washing hands for fear of contracting )

Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Given the high proportion of psychological factors in the occurrence of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a method of psychotherapy shows good results in the treatment of this disease. At K + 31 Clinic, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is widely used, aimed at teaching one's own conscious resistance to obsessive states. Initially, the patient learns to suppress compulsions, and subsequently learns to overcome obsessions.

Psychotherapy is carried out both in the form of individual lessons, and in a group with similar patients, which adjusts to the result, allows you to achieve success faster.

To achieve the maximum effect, drugs from the group of antidepressants, tranquilizers and antipsychotics are prescribed.

Service record

Services

  • Individual therapy
  • Support for Disease Patients
  • Collective groups
  • Psychotherapist
  • Child psychotherapy