Types Of OCD

OCD can take many different forms, however, the majority of instances fit into at least one of four broad categories:

• Having a mental illness such as pregnancy or schizophrenia, or checking things like locks, alarm systems, ovens, or light switches
• Contamination, apprehension about potentially dirty objects, or a need to clean. You could get mental contamination if you experience being treated rudely.
• Order and symmetry, the requirement that objects be arranged in a specific manner
• Invasive musings, and a preoccupation with a particular idea. These ideas might include some violent or unsettling ones.

What Is OCD? (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

The mental disease known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions) or the impulse to do certain repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Obsessions and compulsions are both common in some people.

OCD is not characterized by behaviors like nail-biting or pessimistic thinking. A compulsive habit might be washing your hands seven times after touching something that might be dirty, whereas an obsession might be the idea that particular numbers or colors are “good” or “bad.” You may not want to think or act in these ways, but you feel unable to stop.

Everyone occasionally has repetitive habits or thoughts. OCD patients may have or do the following:

• Interfere with your social life, your job, or another aspect of your life
• At least one hour each day
• Aren’t entertaining
• Are not under your control

Also Read:

• What Is Schizophrenia?
• How To Overcome Depression?

Diagnosis Of OCD

To confirm that something else isn’t causing your symptoms, your doctor may perform a physical examination and blood testing. They will also discuss your emotions, ideas, and routines with you.

Causes and Risk Factors for OCD

Doctors are unsure about the cause of OCD in some patients. Stress might exacerbate symptoms.

A little more women than males experience it. Teenagers or young adults frequently have symptoms.

OCD risk elements consist of:

• OCD in a parent, sibling, or child
• Physical variations in specific brain regions
• Tics, depression, or anxiety
• Knowledge of trauma
• An earlier history of physical or sexual abuse

A youngster may occasionally develop OCD as a result of a streptococcal infection. Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, or PANDAS, is the name given to this condition.

OCD Therapy

OCD cannot be cured. But with the help of medication, therapy, or a combination of treatments, you might be able to control how your symptoms interfere with your life.

Treatments include:

Psychotherapy: Your thought patterns may be changed with cognitive behavioral therapy. Your doctor will place you in an environment intended to induce anxiety or trigger compulsions as part of a technique known as exposure and response prevention. You’ll discover how to reduce, then stop, your OCD thoughts or behaviors.
Relaxation: Simple practices like yoga, massage, and meditation can ease the symptoms of anxious OCD.

Medication: Selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors are psychiatric medications that assist many people to manage their obsessions and compulsions. Starting to function could take two to four months. Escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline are examples of common ones (Zoloft). Your doctor may prescribe antipsychotic medications such as aripiprazole (Abilify) or risperidone if you continue to experience symptoms (Risperdal).

Compulsions and Obsessions

Many OCD sufferers are aware that their thoughts and behaviors are absurd. They perform them because they are unable to stop, not because they like doing so. And if they quit, they feel terrible and restart.

Obsessive ideas might consist of:

• Fear of harming yourself or others
• Constant attention to body sensations like breathing, blinking, or other body functions
  
• Suspicion of infidelity in a relationship but no solid evidence to support it

Among compulsive behaviors are:

• Completing things in a predetermined order or a predetermined number of “excellent” times each time
• Counting objects, such as steps or bottles
• Fear of shaking hands, using public restrooms, or touching doorknobs

Types Of Depression

It’s typical to feel sadness from time to time, but if you experience it frequently and it interferes with your everyday life, you may be suffering from clinical depression. It’s a condition that you can manage with medication, therapy sessions, and lifestyle adjustments.

Depression can take many different forms. Some are brought on by life events, while others are brought on by chemical changes in the brain.

Regardless of the source, the first thing you should do is express your concerns to your doctor. To determine the sort of depression you are experiencing, they could suggest that you speak with a mental health professional. This diagnosis will help your doctor choose the best course of action.

Bipolar Disorder

A person with bipolar illness, which is frequently referred to as “manic depression,” experiences mood swings that vary from intense bursts of “up” energy to depressing lows.

In the low phase, significant depressive disorder symptoms will be present in you.

Your mood fluctuations may be controlled with medication. Whether you’re going through a high or low point, your doctor might advise taking a mood stabiliser like lithium.

Three medications have received FDA approval to treat the depressive stage:

• Seroquel
• Latuda
• Olanzapine-fluoxetine combination

Sometimes, doctors will recommend additional medications for bipolar depression that are not approved by the FDA, such as the anticonvulsant lamotrigine or the atypical antipsychotic Vraylar.

Because there is no evidence from studies that traditional antidepressants are more effective than a placebo (a sugar pill) in treating depression in patients with bipolar illness, these medications are not always advised as first-line therapies. Additionally, some conventional antidepressants may raise the possibility of a “high” phase of the illness or speed up the frequency of experiencing additional episodes over time in a small percentage of bipolar disorder sufferers.

Additionally, psychotherapy can support you and your family.

Also Read:

• What Is Depression?
• Clinical Depression

Major Depression

Your doctor might refer to this as a “major depressive illness.” If you experience depression on most of your days of the week, you may have this type.

Other signs you may experience include:

• A decline in enjoyment or interest in your activities
• Gain or loss of weight
• Inability to fall asleep or difficulty staying asleep during the day
• Restless and irritated feelings, as well as extreme sluggishness and slowing of the body and mind
• Being worn out and drained of energy
• A sense of worthlessness or guilt
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Visions of suicide

If you have five or more of these symptoms on a daily basis for two weeks or more, your doctor may determine that you are suffering from serious depression. Depression or a loss of interest in activities must be at least one of the symptoms.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Major depression that most frequently occurs in the winter when the days are shorter and you receive less and less sunlight is known as seasonal affective disorder. Usually, it disappears in the spring and summer.

Antidepressants can be beneficial if you have SAD. So too can light therapy. You must spend 15 to 30 minutes per day seated in front of a special bright light box.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder is the name for depression that lasts for two years or longer. Previously called as dysthymia (low-grade persistent depression) and chronic severe depression, these two disorders are now referred to by one word.

You might experience signs like:

• The way you eat has changed (not eating enough or overeating)
• Excessive or insufficient sleep lack of energy or weariness
• A low sense of self
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Having no hope
• Psychotherapy, medicine, or a mix of the two may be used to treat you

Panic Disorder

When there is no immediate danger or obvious reason, a panic attack is a rapid bout of great terror that results in significant physical symptoms. Panic attacks can be extremely terrifying. You might believe you are losing control, experiencing a heart attack, or even going to pass away when panic attacks strike.

Many people only experience one or two panic attacks throughout their lives, and the issue usually goes away when a stressful circumstance is over. However, if you’ve experienced frequent, unanticipated panic attacks and have endured protracted periods of continual anxiety about an attack, you may be suffering from a disease known as panic disorder.

Even if panic attacks don’t pose a life-threatening threat, they can nonetheless be terrifying and have a substantial impact on your quality of life. However, treatment is often highly successful.

Also Read:

• What Is OCD?
• Autism Diagnosis

Panic Disorder Symptoms 

Typically, panic episodes start abruptly and without warning. Anytime, whether you’re driving, at the mall, fast asleep, or in the middle of a business meeting, they can happen. You could experience panic episodes infrequently or regularly.

Although there are different types of panic attacks, symptoms often peak within minutes. After a panic episode, you could feel exhausted and worn out.

Some of these symptoms or indicators are frequently present during panic attacks:

• Unreality or a sense of remoteness
• A feeling of imminent calamity or doom
• Fear of losing control or passing away
• A hammering, rapid heartbeat
• Sweating
• Shaking or trembling
• Throat discomfort or shortness of breath
• Chills
• A hot flash
• Nausea
• Cramps in the abdomen
• Chest discomfort
• Headache
• Unsteadiness, faintness, or dizziness
• The feeling of numbness or tingling

The tremendous worry that you will experience another panic attack is among the worst aspects of them. You can be so afraid of experiencing panic attacks that you steer clear of circumstances where they might happen.

Panic Disorder Causes 

Although the exact cause of panic episodes or panic disorder is unknown, the following factors might be involved:

• Genetics
• Major anxiety
• Temperament that is more vulnerable to anxiety or other
• Undesirable feelings
  Various modifications to how certain brain regions work

At initially, panic attacks may strike unexpectedly and without notice, but over time, they are typically brought on by particular circumstances.

According to some studies, panic episodes may be a result of your body’s normal fight-or-flight reaction to danger. For instance, your body would respond automatically if a grizzly bear pursued you. Your breathing and pulse rate would quicken as your body braced for a potentially fatal circumstance. In a panic attack, many of the same responses take place. However, it is uncertain why a panic attack happens when there is no immediate risk.

Risk Factors Of Panic Disorder

More women than men experience the symptoms of panic disorder, which frequently appear in late adolescence or early adulthood.

The likelihood of having panic episodes or panic disorder may be increased by a number of factors, which include:

• Panic disorder or panic attacks in the family
• Significant life stressors like a loved one’s death or critical sickness
• An upsetting occasion, such as a sexual attack or a serious accident
• Significant life changes, like being divorced or having a baby
• Smoking or consuming too much coffee
• Maltreatment inflicted physically or sexually throughout infancy

Whenever To Visit A Doctor

If you experience the signs of a panic attack, get medical attention right away. Although extremely painful, panic attacks are not harmful. However, panic attacks can be challenging to control on your own, and they might worsen if left untreated.

If you are unsure of the source of your symptoms or believe they may be related to another significant health issue, such as a heart attack, it is crucial to see your primary care provider for an evaluation.