People that suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder have thoughts that control their actions and keep them from living a normal life. Compulsive behavior that is controlled by obsessive thoughts can keep people from leaving their homes in worst case scenarios. From the outside it would seem that they could just change their mind and not let those thoughts interfere with their lives. It is not that simple. If you suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD, then you need to seek treatment. There are many strategies that can be incorporated in your life that help you break free from urges that are irrational and related directly to OCD, and help you take your life back.
The Inner Workings of OCD
OCD is anxiety based and described as having unwanted and uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors that are ritualized and repetitive. You feel absolutely compelled to repeat these actions. These thoughts and actions are considered to be, and feel irrational to you and outsiders, but you are unable to break free from their grasp. OCD feels like you are stuck on repeat. Your brain literally is focused on an urge or thought that consumes you. A good example of this is making sure the front door to your home is locked thirty times. Perhaps you feel the need to wash your hands until they are raw, or you have to wash the same dish fifteen times to be sure it is clean. It can be hard living your life in this manner. You tend to be hard on yourself since you cannot stop, and sometimes it is hard for family members to understand and be patient with you too. Suffering from OCD is involuntary. You are experiencing uncontrollable urges and thoughts, even impulses that play over and over again in your brain. There are categories for OCD that include washers, checkers, doubters and sinners, counters and arrangers, and hoarders.
Treatment for OCD Is Necessary
Since there are various types of OCD, the treatments vary too. It is important to understand that obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors do not mean that you have OCD. OCD itself causes a tremendous amount of distress in a person and it takes up the majority of their time which interferes with being able to keep jobs, go through daily life, and remain in healthy relationships. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most successful treatments for OCD. In some cases antidepressants are used in tandem with therapy. However, not all OCD cases require medication, nor is medication an ideal treatment without therapy. It is always advisable to contact a professional therapist that can help you determine if you suffer from OCD and suggest the best plan for treatment.
