The condition often referred to as "OCD" (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is a serious anxiety disorder that occurs in approximately 2% of all adults. An aspect that distinguishes it from many other mental health issues is how much it varies among the range of people suffering it. The actual symptoms for instance, can vary from an obsession with counting objects to experiencing frequently occurring thoughts of violence. When seeking a diagnosis, a registered doctor with experience treating Obsessive Compulsive patients can provide an accurate assessment. If this option isn't available though - there are effective online OCD tests that can serve to screen patients as the first step of the diagnosis process.
The severity of the condition naturally also differs among those sufferers - when we take those factors into account, diagnosis can become a complicated issue. The best way to actually understand what we mean by OCD, is by understanding that it is basically identified as frequently occurring behavioural and thought patterns that cause stress and anxiety. These thoughts and behaviours are characterized by the fact that we have little control over them, without treatment at least.Although it affects both children and adults, we find diagnosis is much more common in adults. It is estimated only 1% of children are affected by this condition, or roughly half the amount of adults. Trying to pinpoint where to draw the line between unusual or eccentric behaviour and actual Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be a complex problem. This is why professional assessments for OCD are so important, and must always take precedence over advice or concerns from friends or family. If you think you may be displaying the tell-tale symptoms of OCD, it is very important to get diagnosed.
The lab tests will screen individuals for things like drugs and alcohol, just so they can be ruled out for causing the symptoms to arise. The psych evaluation is one of the most important tests. This is going to be an in-depth question and answer session between the patient and doctor. Questions about thoughts, patterns, feelings and symptoms are going to be asked. Sometimes friends and family will be brought in to answer questions, but this depends on the person.Diagnosis.In order for this disorder to be diagnosed by a doctor, there are certain pieces of criteria that have to be met. First of all, individuals must have obsessions and compulsions that are bothersome. The patient may also need to understand that these are excessive and have no valid reason for happening. Those obsessions and compulsions also need to play a large role in the life of the patient and interfere with their daily activities or routines.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is one useful technique for dealing with OCD, and is also generally a good first choice for most people as it doesn't require medicine and hence has much fewer risks associated with it. Medicine is also an important treatment technique for many people, but should never be considered for a first treatment option. Generally the kinds of medications that are prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are powerful anti-depressants and anti-psychotics that can be accompanied by fairly serious side-effects. This is where seeing a licensed mental-health therapist becomes crucial to the recovery process.
It is common for people with an autism spectrum disorder to also display repetitive behaviors and have repetitive thoughts, comparable to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a condition that generally makes sufferers feel uncomfortable with their symptoms, and wish that they could get rid of them. On the other hand children with autism are usually unconcerned with their various obsessions or behaviors and may even see them as comforting, increasing the frequency during stressful situations as a calming mechanism.
There are two possible treatments for autism and OCD-like behaviors: behavioral therapy, and medication. Frequently, these two forms of therapy are prescribed together.The most common kind of medication prescribed for treating OCD behaviors in autistic individuals are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs are antidepressant medications that have also shown to be helpful in reducing OCD behaviors. However, they can come with some serious side effects including an increased risk of suicide. Parents' whose children are on SSRIs should monitor behaviors closely and report anything out of the ordinary to a medical professional.
Behavioral therapy can be another way to reduce repetitive behaviors, however there is not one treatment that has been found to be consistently effective for all cases of autism. This is due to the fact that no two cases of autism are exactly the same.
Despite the person's realizing that these thoughts are irrational, these thoughts are irresistible to the person affected by the OCD.The diagnosis of OCD has been described in medicine for more than 100 years. OCD occurs fairly equally among people, regardless of culture. The largest onset group by age is typically 15-24 years old however OCD can be triggered at almost any age. Individuals with OCD are more likely to also develop an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia, or other behavioral concerns such as depression.While there is no known specific cause for OCD, family history and bio-neurological disorder in the brain are thought to be factors in who will get the illness. People who have relatives with OCD are generally at a somewhat higher risk of developing the disorder themselves. It is thought that an imbalance of the chemical serotonin in the brain may also contribute to the development of OCD. 50-60% of those who reported having OCD stated a stress event was occurring or had occurred around the time of onset, and almost all state that stress increases the symptoms of OCD.
Some practitioners will administer a self-test of screening questions commonly called a Y-BOCS test to individuals whom they suspect may be suffering from OCD. In addition, mental-health professionals will explore the possibility that the individual's symptoms are caused by another emotional illness instead of or in addition to OCD. A classic example is people with an addiction often have obsessions or compulsions, but those symptom characteristics generally only involve the object of the addiction. The practitioner will also likely ensure that a physical examination and any other appropriate tests have been done recently to explore whether there is any medical problem that could be contributing to the signs or symptoms of OCD.Most individuals with OCD experience some symptoms of the disorder indefinitely, with times of improvement alternating with times of difficulty. However, the prognosis is most favorable for OCD sufferers who have milder symptoms that last for less time and who have no other problems before developing this illness.
While autism and OCD can occur in the same individual, it is much more common for children with autism to simply display behaviors that are similar to those of OCD, but that are in fact a part of their autism symptoms and not a separate case of obsessive compulsive disorder. Nonetheless, it is believed that autism and OCD based repetitive thoughts and behaviors are quite similar in the early stages of development, but become dissimilar over time as they often serve different functions within the two disorders.Dealing with autism and OCD at an early age should be prioritized to ensure that regular childhood and life experiences such as early education occurs more smoothly. The fewer obsessive-compulsive symptoms a child with autism has generally, the more positive their educational and life experiences will be.If you believe your child is suffering from OCD contact your doctor to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.
The severity of the condition naturally also differs among those sufferers - when we take those factors into account, diagnosis can become a complicated issue. The best way to actually understand what we mean by OCD, is by understanding that it is basically identified as frequently occurring behavioural and thought patterns that cause stress and anxiety. These thoughts and behaviours are characterized by the fact that we have little control over them, without treatment at least.Although it affects both children and adults, we find diagnosis is much more common in adults. It is estimated only 1% of children are affected by this condition, or roughly half the amount of adults. Trying to pinpoint where to draw the line between unusual or eccentric behaviour and actual Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be a complex problem. This is why professional assessments for OCD are so important, and must always take precedence over advice or concerns from friends or family. If you think you may be displaying the tell-tale symptoms of OCD, it is very important to get diagnosed.
The lab tests will screen individuals for things like drugs and alcohol, just so they can be ruled out for causing the symptoms to arise. The psych evaluation is one of the most important tests. This is going to be an in-depth question and answer session between the patient and doctor. Questions about thoughts, patterns, feelings and symptoms are going to be asked. Sometimes friends and family will be brought in to answer questions, but this depends on the person.Diagnosis.In order for this disorder to be diagnosed by a doctor, there are certain pieces of criteria that have to be met. First of all, individuals must have obsessions and compulsions that are bothersome. The patient may also need to understand that these are excessive and have no valid reason for happening. Those obsessions and compulsions also need to play a large role in the life of the patient and interfere with their daily activities or routines.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is one useful technique for dealing with OCD, and is also generally a good first choice for most people as it doesn't require medicine and hence has much fewer risks associated with it. Medicine is also an important treatment technique for many people, but should never be considered for a first treatment option. Generally the kinds of medications that are prescribed for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are powerful anti-depressants and anti-psychotics that can be accompanied by fairly serious side-effects. This is where seeing a licensed mental-health therapist becomes crucial to the recovery process.
It is common for people with an autism spectrum disorder to also display repetitive behaviors and have repetitive thoughts, comparable to those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is a condition that generally makes sufferers feel uncomfortable with their symptoms, and wish that they could get rid of them. On the other hand children with autism are usually unconcerned with their various obsessions or behaviors and may even see them as comforting, increasing the frequency during stressful situations as a calming mechanism.
There are two possible treatments for autism and OCD-like behaviors: behavioral therapy, and medication. Frequently, these two forms of therapy are prescribed together.The most common kind of medication prescribed for treating OCD behaviors in autistic individuals are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). SSRIs are antidepressant medications that have also shown to be helpful in reducing OCD behaviors. However, they can come with some serious side effects including an increased risk of suicide. Parents' whose children are on SSRIs should monitor behaviors closely and report anything out of the ordinary to a medical professional.
Behavioral therapy can be another way to reduce repetitive behaviors, however there is not one treatment that has been found to be consistently effective for all cases of autism. This is due to the fact that no two cases of autism are exactly the same.
Despite the person's realizing that these thoughts are irrational, these thoughts are irresistible to the person affected by the OCD.The diagnosis of OCD has been described in medicine for more than 100 years. OCD occurs fairly equally among people, regardless of culture. The largest onset group by age is typically 15-24 years old however OCD can be triggered at almost any age. Individuals with OCD are more likely to also develop an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia, or other behavioral concerns such as depression.While there is no known specific cause for OCD, family history and bio-neurological disorder in the brain are thought to be factors in who will get the illness. People who have relatives with OCD are generally at a somewhat higher risk of developing the disorder themselves. It is thought that an imbalance of the chemical serotonin in the brain may also contribute to the development of OCD. 50-60% of those who reported having OCD stated a stress event was occurring or had occurred around the time of onset, and almost all state that stress increases the symptoms of OCD.
Some practitioners will administer a self-test of screening questions commonly called a Y-BOCS test to individuals whom they suspect may be suffering from OCD. In addition, mental-health professionals will explore the possibility that the individual's symptoms are caused by another emotional illness instead of or in addition to OCD. A classic example is people with an addiction often have obsessions or compulsions, but those symptom characteristics generally only involve the object of the addiction. The practitioner will also likely ensure that a physical examination and any other appropriate tests have been done recently to explore whether there is any medical problem that could be contributing to the signs or symptoms of OCD.Most individuals with OCD experience some symptoms of the disorder indefinitely, with times of improvement alternating with times of difficulty. However, the prognosis is most favorable for OCD sufferers who have milder symptoms that last for less time and who have no other problems before developing this illness.
While autism and OCD can occur in the same individual, it is much more common for children with autism to simply display behaviors that are similar to those of OCD, but that are in fact a part of their autism symptoms and not a separate case of obsessive compulsive disorder. Nonetheless, it is believed that autism and OCD based repetitive thoughts and behaviors are quite similar in the early stages of development, but become dissimilar over time as they often serve different functions within the two disorders.Dealing with autism and OCD at an early age should be prioritized to ensure that regular childhood and life experiences such as early education occurs more smoothly. The fewer obsessive-compulsive symptoms a child with autism has generally, the more positive their educational and life experiences will be.If you believe your child is suffering from OCD contact your doctor to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.
No comments:
Post a Comment