• OBSESSIONS – A persistent, irrational thought that repeatedly goes through a person’s mind. For example, a person may think anything they touch will be contaminated and will contaminate other people.
• COMPULSIONS – Repetitive, intentional acts performed in a certain way. The act is done to prevent discomfort, but is usually not realistically connected to what it is supposed to prevent or is done very excessively. For example, a person may wash his/her hands repeatedly in a very specific manner to rid them of germs.
• People with OCD may have either obsessions, compulsions or may have both components of the disorder. For a diagnosis of OCD, the obsession of compulsion must cause the person distress, be time consuming, or interfere with everyday life. Usually, the person suffering from OCD knows that his/her behavior is bizarre and will go to lengths to hide their behavior from others.
• OCD symptoms usually begin during childhood or adolescence. However, OCD can occur at any age.
• Repeated thoughts about contamination
• Need to have things in a particular order
• Concern about current ongoing difficulties
• Repeated doubts
• Aggressive or horrific impulses
• The cause of OCD is unclear at this time. Scientific studies suggest that OCD is a biologically-based illness. It appears that OCD results from a chemical imbalance in the brain. Research has found a genetic link for OCD. Specifically, if you have OCD, there is a 25 percent chance that one of your immediate family members will have it also. OCD is not caused by poor parenting or an individual weakness in the person with OCD.
• OCD will continue for years if left untreated. The symptoms may become less severe at times, but generally OCD is a chronic illness.
• The best treatment for OCD is the use of medication and therapy. Medications that regulate serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. However, medication is not completely effective for everyone with OCD. The style of therapy commonly used when treating OCD is behavioral therapy. In this type of therapy a person is exposed to a feared object or thought, and then discouraged from carrying out the usual compulsive response. The most effective way to treat OCD is to use both medication and therapy.
• Clomipramine (Anafranil) is usually the first choice of medication.
• Fluoxetine (Prozac).
• The medications may take up to ten weeks to take effect.
• If the OCD medication is not working, other medications such as Lithium, Fenfluramine, Buspirone, and other antipsychotic medications may be beneficial.
• Between 50 and 80 percent of patients with OCD improve with OCD medications; however, they still may have some obsessional and compulsive behaviors that remain.
The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing by Rapoport, Judith
Stop Obsessing! How to Overcome Your Obsessions and Compulsions by Foa, Edina G. and Wilson, Reid
Over and Over Again, Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Neziroglu, Fugen and Yaryura-Tobias, Jose A.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Guide by Anxiety Disorders Center by Madison WI: University of Wisconsin (Copies available in Nancee Blum’s office, call 319-353-6180)
Brain Lock by Schwartz and Regan
Nine, Ten, Do It Again, A Guide to OCD: For People with OCD and their Families by I’Anson, Kathryn
OC Foundation, PO Box 70, Milford CT 06460. The OC Foundation publishes an excellent newsletter and has information about support groups. They also publish a newsletter for support group leaders. http://www.ocfoundation.org/
If you or someone you know would like more information on mental illness
or wish to request an educational presentation, please contact:
NAMI IOWA (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
5911 Meredith Drive Suite E
Des Moines IA 50322-1903
Phone: (515) 254-0417 or (800) 417-0417 outside of Des Moines