Low Childhood IQ Tied to Risk of Later Mental Disorders Washington Post, United States - 4 minutes ago The researchers found no link between lower childhood IQ and substance dependence, simple phobia, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. ...
? Crazy Little Thing Called Self-Love CU Columbia Spectator, NY - ... I thought I wasn?t good/pretty/funny/smart/talented enough, or when I developed obsessive-compulsive disorder and hated myself for being so obsessive. ...
Art/Culture Urbanite Baltimore, MD - ?To be obsessive is to be American.? To Davis? mind, some of the pain suffered by those with obsessive-compulsive disorder may be due to the sense that ...
City reaching out to those who hoard Boston Globe, United States - Nov 29, 2008 While hoarding is often thought to be present in individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder, Steketee's research has shown that it is most closely ...
Easing the stress of trauma PhysOrg.com, VA - 25 minutes ago Zohar, an internationally recognized expert in the field of PTSD and obsessive-compulsive disorders. He has established important international ...
Help for obsessive compulsive disorder United Press International - Nov 17, 2008 ... have not helped severe obsessive compulsive disorder -- a psychiatric disorder marked by hours-long anxiety-reducing rituals such as hand washing. ...
'Clean' woman's sentence let off BBC News, UK - Aug 4, 2008 North Wales probation service accepted she had obsessive compulsive disorder. District judge David Webster was told there was no other work available that ...
Attention Deficit Disorder Basil & Spice, FL - As a psychiatrist, the challenge is that what are called Axis I disorders ?such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, obsessive...
Search this blog ScienceBlogs - Capsulotomy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Psychosurgery got a really, really bad reputation due to the discredited practice of frontal lobotomy. ...
I can't tell mum about bulimia The Sun, UK - Aug 4, 2008 I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and have self-harmed in the past but I?m now getting counselling to cope with these. My mum knows about the OCD and ...
Talking about postpartum depression often helps Dallas Morning News, TX - I had post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic, extreme anxiety. I was feeling hopeless and helpless and angry a lot of the time ...
Ask Dr. Weil: Breathing techniques can be helpful Arizona Daily Star, AZ - Many suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorders, report sexual and marital problems and have a hard time dealing with stress. What's more, their symptoms ...
Anxiety disorder is treatable Herald Times Reporter, WI - Aug 4, 2008 There are many types of anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ...
[BOOK]Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Facts - P De Silva, S Rachman - 2004 - books.google.com ... the facts | 1 Page 11. obsessive-compulsive disorder | the facts Table 1 Anxiety disorders... the facts I 1 1 Page 21. obsessive-compulsive disorder the facts...
Memory and attention in Obsessive?Compulsive Disorder: a review - J Muller, JE Roberts - Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 2005 - Elsevier ... memory and attention related to Obsessive?Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Although the
research has been mixed concerning memory for verbal information, there is ...
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Popular Magazines - OF Wahl - Community Mental Health Journal, 2000 - Springer ... also occasionally provided references for obtaining fur- ther information about
the disorder and about dealing with OCD. The Obsessive Compulsive Foundation ...
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a distressing psychological condition which affects 1.2million Britons. However, it is common for a sufferer to try and hide their symptoms from family and friends. Here we take a look at the condition and how it can be treated...
What is it?
OCD usually involves having both obsessive and unwanted thoughts which result in unreasonable fears and compulsions (acts or rituals).
The person usually feels calmer after having carried out the compulsion. If they don't carry out the compulsion (such as washing their hands) they feel severely anxious, but they can become depressed if they are unable to break from these rituals.
What kind of thoughts and actions are experienced?
Common obsessions include fears about dirt and germs, fears of acting out on violent thoughts, unreasonable thoughts of harming others - especially loved ones, concern with order, fears for safety and inability to let go of warn out possessions.
The thoughts are usually frequent, automatic, upsetting or distressing and difficult to control. Although most people have some of these thoughts, they are able to dismiss them. People with OCD find this difficult.
Compulsions include excessive hand washing, cleaning, counting, checking, touching, arranging, hoarding, measuring, excessive neatness, and repeating tasks or actions.
Are OCD sufferers dangerous?
People with OCD are not 'mad' or dangerous and do not carry out their unpleasant thoughts.
They are aware that their compulsions and obsessions are irrational or excessive and this can make it even more distressing for them when they are unable to break the cycle.
Who gets OCD?
The condition affects about two per cent of the population and men and woman are equally affected. OCD tends to be under-diagnosed because those with the condition are often afraid to seek help in case people think they are 'mad.'
OCD can run in families and, in some cases, may be associated with an underlying biochemical imbalance in the brain.
Symptoms typically begin during teenage years but children can develop the condition. Famous people with OCD include David Beckham and Harrison Ford.
Can it be treated?
Yes, OCD can be affectively treated and controlled with time. There are two main treatments:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
This therapy seeks to help the individual understand that their problem is one of anxiety rather than danger and to react accordingly. It involves 'exposure' where the patient confronts fearful situations without performing a compulsion. Over time the person learns to tolerate the discomfort felt.
Anti-Obessional Medication
The medication alters serotonin levels and may be used either alone or in combination with cognitive behaviour therapy. They are prescribed by a GP.
Where can I find out more?
NHS Direct has an OCD entry in its Health Encyclopaedia. Click here
TOP UK runs a national network of self-help groups to help adults with a phobia, or OCD to overcome problems using graded self-exposure. Visit www.triumphoverphobia.com
First Steps to Freedom offers confidential help, practical advice and support to those with OCD. Visit www.first-steps.org
OCD Action provides information, advice and support to people with OCD. Visit www.ocdaction.org.uk, their helpline is 020 72264000
No Panic aims to aid the relief and rehabilitation of people affected by panic attacks, phobias and OCD. Visit www.nopanic.org.uk, their helpline is 08088080545
