Yellow Jacket Times - Jefferson County Public Schools

De’Ericka Jernigan
Do you or a friend of yours suffer from an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder but are simply not aware of
how to address it? Well I am here to tell you everything there is to know about OCD and how you can treat
this disorder. Your first step is to realize and admit that you have a problem to a professional; your next step is
to get a clear understanding of what OCD truly is.
An Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated
thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something
(compulsions). Often the person carries out the behaviors to get rid of the obsessive thoughts, but this only
provides temporary relief. Not performing the obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety. I personally often find
myself re-checking locked doors or flushed toilets just to make sure of myself that everything is secure. When I
go back to make sure the door is locked or the toilet is flushed, I feel completed in some way and then I would
go on about my day. Although I do not re-check things multiple times, that does not mean that I do not have a
problem.
There are many signs and symptoms that will help you identify whether or not you have this disorder.
Most people who develop OCD show signs by the age of 30, but recent tests show that you can show signs of
this disorder before the age of 30. Other signs include obsessions or compulsions that are not due to medical
illness or drug use, and obsessions or compulsions that cause major distress or interfere with everyday life.
The main types of obsessions and compulsions are checking and rechecking actions (such as turning out the
lights and locking the door), excessive counting, excessive fear of germs, the compulsion to repeatedly wash
the hands to ward off infection, and the person usually recognizes that the behavior is excessive or
unreasonable.
Some reports have linked the cause of OCD to head injury and infections. Several studies have shown that
there are brain abnormalities in patients with OCD. This disorder can be treated using medications and
therapy. The first medication usually considered is a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). These drugs include: Celexa, Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. Although you have
medicine to treat this disorder, OCD is a long-term (chronic) illness with periods of severe symptoms followed
by times of improvement. However, a completely symptom-free period is unusual, but most people improve
with treatment. With that being said, if you are a victim of OCD seek help immediately and follow through
with treatment so that re-checking locked doors and already flushed toilets do not become a part of your life
as a daily routine.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_personality_disorder
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx26.htm
http://outofthefog.net/Disorders/OCPD.html