Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is listed amongst the top 10 most disabling illnesses categorized by the World Health Organization, in terms of loss of income and decreased quality of life.
Additionally, OCD affects nearly 2-3% of the world’s population, who often spend their entire lives concealing this disorder and not seeking professional help.
OCD is often mistaken for a single disorder; yet in actuality, it can be filed under two separate conditions; Obsessions and Compulsions. What are they?
The O in Obsessive
These can be defined as intrusive and recurrent thoughts, impulses or ideas a person suffering from OCD can have, which may also be worrying, repulsive, obscene or downright profane. It’s true that our brain produces nearly 50,000 thoughts per day; however, the ones by people with OCD aren’t voluntary, and often invade their consciousness.
The C in Compulsive
These can be accurately termed as actions that an individual feels compelled to perform. This is done in order to reduce anxiety often felt as a direct result of an obsession and are repeated without any conscious thought whatsoever. A direct result of repetitive and senseless thinking, compulsive behavior is very difficult to overcome without professional help.
When to Seek Professional Help
Once thought to be an extremely rare mental disorder, OCD has now become one of the most common in USA. Individuals should be worried when they’re experiencing;
- Chronic worrying
- Persistent unwanted thoughts
- An obsession with order and counting
- An obsession with germs, dirt, cleanliness
- An obsession with touching
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of concentration
What Causes OCD
Although the exact cause of this mental condition is unknown, research suggests the following factors may be responsible for influencing the onset of OCD;
- Lack of serotonin in the brain
- Genetic link, i.e. it may run in families
- Some personality types are more likely to develop OCD
- A stressful event can possibly trigger the condition
Is There An Effective Treatment For OCD?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Drug Therapy are commonly used methods of treatment for OCD sufferers. Most people however choose Hypnotherapy or hypnosis in order to find the root of the problem and deal with it once and for all.
A certified hypnotist, such as Rekha Shrivastava, can help resolve the underlying anxiety that drives most obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions.
Visit today for a free consultation on OCD and hypnosis at her practice in Rochester.
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