Obsessive Compulsive DisorderObsessive compulsive disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by obsessive thoughts, such as becoming contaminated with germs or hurting oneself or others. These thoughts get in the way of daily life, so a person diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder will begin a series of repetitive actions designed to keep those unwanted thoughts under control. These actions might include washing hands until the skin becomes raw or driving around the block a number of times to ensure an accident did not occur. People with obsessive compulsive disorder will become compulsive counters, counting items in a collection because they fear losing them. They may also develop a "checking" habit, repeatedly checking to see if the stove is turned off, the iron is unplugged or the front door is locked. The repetitive behaviors are meant to control the obsessive thoughts, but unfortunately, those thoughts will continue to return. This sets off a vicious cycle of thoughts and behaviors that become the trademark of this anxiety disorder. Not everyone with this disorder will require treatment, since the symptoms can range greatly in terms of intensity. If a person is finding the obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions are getting in the way of daily activities, it might be time to seek professional help in managing the disorder. Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive DisorderSymptoms of this disorder include both the obsessive thoughts a patient experiences and the compulsive behaviors used to control those thoughts. Symptoms may include:• Fear of germ contamination, which can result in compulsive hand washing • Concern over hurting oneself or others • Aggressive or sexual thoughts and impulses • Worries over turning off the stove or iron, or locking the front door • Distress over a lack of orderliness in one's surroundings • Washing and cleaning • Counting and checking items and patterns • Constant need for reassurance • Performing the same rituals over and over again When these symptoms get in the way of daily life, it may be time to seek professional treatment. Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive DisorderThe most successful treatment method for this type of disorder is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Medications for this disorder commonly include antidepressants which you will want to avoid due to the many negative side effects they have.It is thought that people with this disorder have lower levels of a brain chemical called seratonin, which may contribute to symptoms. 5-HTP is a natural dietary supplement that will promote the body's production of serotonin. 5-HTP is better than an antidepressant drug and the side effects are next to zero. The study with the most significance was one that was compared to Zoloft; "selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor" drug. In the study, subjects received either 5-HTP (100 mg) or Zoloft (50 mg) three times a day for 5 weeks. More patients responded to 5-HTP than Zoloft and 5-HTP was faster acting than the Zoloft.
Therapy has also been proven effective in this type of anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy shows particularly positive results, since it involves retraining thought patterns so compulsive behaviors are no longer necessary. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be done on an individual basis or it might involve group or family therapy sessions.
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