Obsessive-compulsive disorder (obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, OCD: hereinafter we will use it as synonyms) is a mental disorder from a group in which the patient experiences an irresistible urge to perform a stereotypical action (mental or physical), to ponder one and the same thought.

This disorder can disrupt the patient's normal life. The name of obsessive-compulsive disorder was given to this disorder due to the terminological designation of the forms of the disease: - these are obsessive thoughts and ideas, and - these are obsessive actions and movements.

The patient literally relives his compulsions over and over again. A textbook example is the irresistible urge to constantly wash your hands, which is often associated with phobias or childhood conflicts. Obsessive thoughts are often asocial in nature and are severely experienced by the patient. For example, while on the subway, the patient may contemplate pushing someone off the platform.

The overall percentage of diagnosed OCD does not exceed 3%, but many obsessions do not become pathological and therefore people do not seek psychological help.

Every day we process thousands of thoughts: the necessary ones are embodied in goal-setting and actions, the unnecessary ones are repressed and forgotten. Sometimes this ability to “filter” the material is disturbed, which leads to the fact that obsessive thoughts become fixed in the mind and begin to prevail under certain circumstances.

Uncontrolled "chewing" of the same thought significantly complicates daily activities, which can lead to an increase in anxiety, generate obsessive fears. In fact, mental stress grows, which does not find a rational outlet, which leads to compulsive behavior.

So, here are the typical OCD obsessions:

Obsessive movements in adults are characterized by:

• pronouncing and playing words and rituals that help the patient to "protect" himself from troubles: have a discharging affect;
• pathological fixation on hygiene: minute-to-minute hand washing, surface disinfection, etc .;
• over-control of the home environment: checking that doors are closed, that unused equipment is de-energized, the gas is turned off, etc.

In cases where obsessive-compulsive movement syndrome in adults (and children) acquires a bright antisocial coloration, immediate psychotherapeutic assistance is required, since the disorder can trigger suicidal behavior or lead to physical aggression against third parties!

Certainly, certain ritual behavior helps the patient to cope with fear, but such a discharge of affect requires constant repetition and complication of the action - the patient falls into a closed loop.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be observed in both children and adults, and the critical period for the development of the disorder is 10-25 years. One of the following factors plays a decisive role in the development of the disease:

• psychological (OCD as a reaction to a traumatic situation or as a symptom of another disorder);
• biogenetic (OCD as a result of previous traumas and infectious brain lesions, weak nervous system and a predisposition to disorder).

Symptoms of the disorder

The main component of obsessive-compulsive disorder is irresistible thoughts and actions, desires and rituals, which the patient cannot suppress. Almost always obsessive thoughts and obsessions in general are accompanied by phobias and anxiety.

With a developed neurosis, obsessive thoughts are always accompanied by actions. For example, a hypochondriac patient, to avoid a headache, touches the crown of the head every few minutes to "prevent" the headache.

In patients with reduced criticality, such actions can become delusional, not experienced as abnormal. In this case, it is required to diagnose the disease from other disorders, including schizophrenia.

So, the syndrome-forming symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder include:

• uncontrollable thoughts, desires, images;
• fears, anxiety,;
• repetitive actions;
• ritual behavior.

It is imperative to distinguish obsessive-compulsive disorder from neurosis-like disorders. The latter are well disguised as a "normal" neurosis, but they are based on real brain damage of any genesis. Therefore, the patient's knowledge of his "track record" of physiological diseases and extracts from hospital records are necessary for the compilation of anamnesis by a psychiatrist and the appointment of treatment!

Correction of the disorder

So, we have defined what obsession is, how obsessive thoughts and fears are expressed, and also distinguished obsessive states and their fundamental symptoms from neurosis-like disorders. But how to cure obsessive-compulsive disorder and can you do it yourself?

We will talk about how to cope with light (not interfering with normal life) obsessions at the end of the article, and now we will move on to three types of treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder:

• psychopharmacological correction;
• psychotherapy;
• biological therapy (for severe forms of OCD).

Medication correction

Antipsychotic therapy is prescribed for severe and protracted forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The best result is achieved in a round-the-clock hospital and with individual selection of drugs.

If, in connection with the disease, depressive states begin to appear, then antidepressants can be prescribed:

• sertraline;
• clomipramine.

In this class, the best effect is achieved with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. With severe anxiety accompanying obsessive thoughts and actions, short courses of tranquilizers such as:

• diazepam;
• clonazepam.

In the chronic and subacute course of the disorder, a course of atypical antipsychotics may be prescribed.

An interesting video about obsessive thoughts and actions - what is useful to know about them:

Psychocorrection disorder

An obsessive state and obsession is a purely psychological disorder that is corrected by appropriate methods. Psychotherapy of obsessive-compulsive disorder is built on the basis of various theoretical schools and with true OCD always gives positive results. Obsessive compulsive disorder and its symptoms are successfully treated in the following areas:

• transactional analysis;
• psychoanalysis;
• hypno-suggestive therapy and hypnosis;

Transactional Analysis in the Treatment of OCD

Transactional Analysis is an excellent technique for suppressing obsessive-compulsive disorder in children. Working in this direction is short-lived and helps in the early stages of OCD, but is unlikely to be effective in chronic and severe OCD.

Transactional analysis helps to replay the entire life scenario of the patient, to empower the self and cope with the disorder. Among young clients, the results of group therapy are noticeable, which helps to overcome obsessive states in children and to defuse the "stuck" affect that caused the disease.

Psychoanalysis in the treatment of OCD

Most neuroses come to us from childhood - this is the main postulate of Freudianism. Therefore, the neurosis of obsessive thoughts grows from childhood. The client's task in this area is to understand the causes of this condition, fixations that caused the disorder and, with the help of a psychotherapist, understand how to deal with obsessive thoughts and actions.

During psychoanalytic sessions, the client gradually redirects the energy of neurosis (after all, this is a defense mechanism) into more favorable ways of protecting himself from the problem he is experiencing and, through catharsis, achieves liberation from OCD.

Below we list the pitfalls of this approach:

Therefore, inexperienced psychoanalysts are not always successful in correcting obsessive thoughts and OCD in general. Moreover, this is an "adult" method, obsessive movements in a child through psychoanalysis are, in principle, uncorrected.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of OCD

This type of therapy is most popular in the treatment of OCD. Essentially, the patient is left face-to-face with his phobias, forcing him to fight against what he is fleeing from. From the age of 12-14, this therapy helps to overcome both obsessive movements in children and the ritual behavior of an adult.

To begin with, the patient is placed in an environment in which the obsession loses its motivating power, then the therapist “brings to the surface” the fears and fixations underlying OCD and teaches the client to detect and rearrange erroneous and ridiculous thoughts.

As a result, the patient “challenges” his obsessive thoughts and obsessions to a duel and literally says goodbye to them in a friendly way; the now healthy patient knows how to distract himself from obsessive thoughts.

Having brought the causes of certain thoughts and actions to the level of consciousness, the patient learns calmly and with humor (by the way, this is mandatory) to catch disturbing thoughts and sort them out of the general stream.

This type of psychotherapy is best for children, helping to overcome obsessive movements in the child. What's more, the therapy sessions are friendly enough and include interesting techniques that kids will love. In addition, children work in a group, which helps not only to successfully cope with the disease, but also to master new and adaptive styles of behavior with peers.

Hypnosis in the treatment of OCD

Hypnosis as a way to correct OCD is used in conjunction with one of the above methods. By itself, it is not effective, as it helps to cope with the symptoms of the disease, but not its causes.

But for children, hypno-suggestive therapy may be the only method of treatment - children fearlessly trust the therapist and easily enter special states of consciousness in which the hypnologist forms new attitudes regarding obsessions.

Biological method for correcting OCD

This method of treating obsessive-compulsive disorder neurosis is a marginal one and is used for the most severe forms of OCD, leading to social maladjustment of the personality. In the treatment, powerful antipsychotic drugs of sedative action are used, which suppress the activity of the central nervous system. For instance:

• atropine therapy;
• shock therapy.

An obsessive neurosis is able to move to the level of physiology: to be somatized. Many patients experience problems with the gastrointestinal tract and heart - this is in the absence of real organ pathologies.

Such secondary disorders, which appear as a result of anxiety with obsessions, can cause the development of other neuroses (for example, hypochondriacal neurosis). In such cases, biological treatment is recommended.

About self-management of OCD

Important! The approach to coping with obsessional attacks described below is only suitable for mild forms of the disorder (for example, you start snapping your fingers and sniffling when worried), all other cases must be corrected by professionals!

We will present the so-called "thought interruption" method. He is taught in the framework of cognitive-behavioral therapy and the best result is achieved under the supervision of a psychotherapist.

Five steps of coping:

• you set aside a week for purposeful capture and recording of obsessive thoughts - use a diary, look for "triggers" of obsessions;
• learning to switch thoughts during an obsessive attack: someone remembers a favorite picture, someone - a melody. Find your stop thoughts;
• Verbalize the stop command: say to yourself "enough is enough!" - this is how the transition of thoughts into action stops;
• learn to translate the stop command into a mental plan;
• after all that has been done, use positive images to cope with fears if they show up: if you are afraid of spiders, then imagine that they are all in a terrarium, where they can not get out.

This method is simple, but mastering it requires the patient's proper faith in its effectiveness and desire for a result.

Learn more about obsessive thoughts: what it is, treatment for OCD. Psychology

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). What is this mental mechanism, and how to get rid of obsessive thoughts and fears? Video

Greetings!

This article is very important for me, because I am familiar with the problem of obsessive thoughts from my own experience.

And if you are reading it, perhaps you yourself have encountered something like this and do not know how to deal with it.

It will be not only about the knowledge of psychology, but also, what is even more important, about your own experience, sensations and important subtleties, which, in order to know, you need to go through it yourself.

I want you to use and test what will be discussed in this article on your own practical experience, and not on someone's words that you heard or read somewhere. After all, nothing and no one can replace your own experience and awareness.

Somewhere I will repeat myself in the course of the article, but only because these are very important points to which I want to draw your special attention.

So, obsessive thoughts, what are they?

In psychology, there is such a concept "mental gum". This name alone should tell you something - a sticky, viscous, addictive thought.

Obsessive thoughts, obsessive states or obsessive internal dialogue - scientifically OCD (), in another way is also called obsessive-compulsive disorder.

This is a mental phenomenon in which a person creates a painful feeling of the forced appearance in the head of some kind of repetitive information (some thoughts), which often leads to obsessive actions and behavior.

Sometimes a person, worn out by an obsession, is himself invents for myself some kind of behavior, action-ritual, for example, counting some numbers, numbers of passing cars, counting windows or pronouncing certain “stop words (phrases)” to oneself, etc. etc., there are many options.

He invents this behavior (action) as a way of some protection from his obsessive thoughts, but as a result, these “actions-rituals” themselves become obsessions, and the situation only gets worse over time, because these actions themselves constantly remind the person of his problem, reinforce and enhance it. While it can sometimes help in moments, it’s all one-off, short-term, and doesn’t cure OCD.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

No matter how strange it may seem to anyone, the main reason for the emergence and development of obsessive states, in whatever form it manifests itself, are: firstly, formed the habit of constantly conducting an internal dialogue with oneself, and in an automatic (unconscious) way on any exciting old or new occasion;secondly, it is attachment to some of their beliefs (ideas, attitudes) and deep faith in these beliefs.

And such obsessive thinking, to a greater or lesser extent, is present in many people, but many do not even know about it, they just think that this is correct, that this is a normal way of thinking.

Having become habitual, the obsessive internal dialogue manifests itself not only in what is important for a person, but also in any everyday, daily and new situations. Just watch yourself carefully and you will quickly see it.

But more often it manifests itself in what a person is fixated on, that he has been worried for a long time.

From the constant scrolling of a monotonous, restless (often frightening) and, in fact, useless internal dialogue, such fatigue can be piled on that besides the desire to get rid of these thoughts, there is no other desire. Gradually, this leads to a fear of one's own thoughts, before their appearance, which only exacerbates the situation.

A person loses freedom and becomes a hostage to an obsessive state. Insomnia appears, symptoms of VSD () and an almost constant, increased anxiety.

Actually, general internal anxiety and dissatisfaction for some reason led to the possibility of this problem, but this is the topic of other articles.

Obsessions (thoughts) at their core.

What exactly are obsessive thoughts in their inner essence?

It is very important to understand that obsessive thoughts are those thoughts that, without our will, make us think about something. As a rule, it is stressful, monotonous (monotonous) scrolling internal dialogs the same mental plot, only in different ways. And this unconscious stream of thoughts in the head can so absorb attention that at this moment everything else that happens around almost ceases to exist.

Obsessive state as a function of the brain, oddly enough, has its own natural task, it plays a certain role and is something like a "reminder", "signal" and "coercion" that push a person to something.

Many of you may now be thinking, and there is some kind of "reminder" and "signal" here, because obsessive thoughts are just thoughts anyway.

In fact, these are not just thoughts. And the main difference between obsessive thoughts and ordinary, logical ones is that these thoughts, despite all their often seeming rationality, do not contain anything healthy in their inner filling.

These irrational, emotional thoughts, as a rule, are always associated with our fears, doubts, resentments, anger, or with something important and troubling us. These thoughts are always based on an emotional charge, that is, their basis is emotion.

And what can be useful in this obsessive mechanism?

An intrusive Signal is called a signal that informs us of something. This mechanism is mainly designed to automatically remind and focus our attention on what we consider important to ourselves.

For example, if you have a bank loan, you need to pay off it, but you don’t have any money now, and if you are a sane person, you will look for a solution. And obsessive thoughts that, whether you like it or not, will often or constantly, at any time of the day or night, remind you of the situation that has arisen so that you can resolve it.

Another example of the usefulness of this intrusive function.

What is so vital a person can think about that can bring him to an obsessive state?

About money, a better job, a better home, personal relationships, etc. For example, a person has a goal, and he begins to constantly think about it, make plans, without stopping, does something and continues to reflect on it.

As a result, if this is non-stop, continues for a long time, a moment may come when he, having decided to take a break, tries to switch and occupy himself with something else, but notices that he continues anyway unknowingly reflect on your important goal.

And if he even tries with willpower and sound reasoning to say to himself “stop, I need to stop thinking about this, I need to rest,” this will not work right away.

Obsessive thoughts, in this example, make a person think about important things. That is, they perform a completely useful role, not allowing a person to stop there, but at the same time, completely not caring about his health, because this is not their business, their only role is to signal, remind and push.

The very emergence of an obsessive state is dangerous and harmful for us - it is a sign that mental disruptions have begun.

Just keep in mind: no matter what important you are doing, if you do not give yourself a good rest, this can lead to any disorders, chronic fatigue, increased anxiety, obsessions and neurosis.

There is only one conclusion - no matter how valuable and useful what you are doing, and what important you think, you must always take breaks, stop and allow yourself to have a good rest emotionally, physically and especially mentally, otherwise everything may end badly.

Obsessive thoughts about an alarming (frightening) reason

Obsessive thoughts can be associated with something natural and completely justified, and with something completely absurd, frightening and illogical.

For example, thoughts related to health, when a person, having felt some painful symptom, begins to worry, think about it, and the further, the more he scares himself. My heart stabbed or pounded strongly, immediately the thought: "Something is wrong with me, maybe my heart is sick." A person becomes obsessed with this symptom, worries, and obsessive thoughts arise about this, although in reality there is no illness. It was just a symptom caused by some anxious thoughts, fatigue and internal tension that arose.

But you can't just take them and immediately ignore them. Perhaps it really makes sense to listen to these thoughts, because, you really may have some kind of physical illness. In this case, consult a doctor. If, after all the tests, you were told that everything is fine with you, but you still continue to worry, go to the second doctor, but if it is confirmed there that you are healthy, then you are, and you are now simply susceptible to OCD ...

Other people are attacked by the obsessive thought to harm and even kill someone close to them or do something to themselves. At the same time, the person actually does not want this, but the very thought does not give rest and frightens that it comes into his head at all.

In fact, this is a proven fact: there is no recorded case in the world that would lead to dire consequences. It is precisely the presence of these obsessive thoughts that keeps a person from such actions. And the fact that they arise suggests that you not inclined to this, otherwise it would not scare you.

Those who are inclined to something like this, they do not worry inside themselves. They either act or wait, that is, they really want it and at the same time do not worry. Since this scares you, it means that you are not like that, and this is the main thing.

Why are you having your problem? What happened to you is something like the following. Once you were visited by some crazy thought, and instead of saying to yourself: “Well, stupid things can come to mind,” and not attaching importance to this, you would have left yourself alone, scared and began to analyze.

That is, at that moment some thought came to you, you believed it and believed that since you think so, then you are like that and you can do something bad. You trusted without solid reason this irrational thought, not knowing that such absurd and can visit any healthy person, it is quite an ordinary phenomenon. This thought, in turn, triggered an emotion in you, in our case the emotion of fear, and off we go. Subsequently, you became obsessed with this thought, because it scared you, began to analyze a lot and yourself endowed it with strength (attached importance), so you now have a problem, and not at all because you are some kind of abnormal or mentally ill, that you can and want to do something scary. You just have a disorder that is definitely being treated, and you definitely won't do anything wrong to anyone.

Thoughts themselves cannot force you to do something, for this you need a real, strong desire and intention. All they can do is make you think, but nothing more. This is also, of course, very unpleasant, and how to deal with it, how to get rid of obsessive thoughts, will be below.

In others, obsessions may be associated with everyday things, for example, "have I turned off the stove (iron)?" - a person thinks and checks a hundred times a day.

Some are afraid of contracting something and wash their hands repeatedly or repeatedly in a day, wash their apartment (bath), etc.

And someone has long been able to worry and compulsively think about their appearance (), or constantly worry and think about their behavior in public, control over themselves and their status in society.

In general, everyone has their own, and no matter how scary or acceptable is what is imposed, all this is essentially the same - OCD only in different manifestations.

An example of how obsessive thinking can manifest itself

Let's briefly, with a simple example, see how the habit of compulsive thinking can often manifest itself, and what physically reinforces and reinforces this habit.

If you have a conflict or an argument with someone, and some time has passed, and thoughts related to the situation do not let go.

You keep on mentally, unconsciously, replaying this in your head, conducting an internal (virtual) dialogue with the opposing side, arguing about something and finding more and more excuses and proofs of your innocence or your guilt. You get angry, threaten and think: "You should have said this and that, or you should have done this and that."

This process can go on for quite some time until something catches your attention.

You over and over again worry and get nervous, but in fact, you are doing the most real, very harmful absurd which is reinforced and automatically propelled emotional obsessive state and feeling of anxiety.

The only right thing to do in this situation is to stop thinking about it, no matter how much you want it and no matter how important you think it is.

But if you succumbed, and this obsessive process dragged on, then it can be very difficult to get together internally and stop the internal dialogue.

And you can aggravate the problem even more if at some point you realize that you are not in control of the situation at all, you are even more afraid of these thoughts, you start to fight them in order to somehow distract yourself, and you start blaming and scolding yourself for everything that is now is happening to you.

But the guilt for everything that happens to you is not only yours, but also in the neglected mechanism, which has both a mental basis and a physical and biochemical component:

• certain neurons are excited, and stable neural connections are created, at which it begins to be produced automatic reflex response;
• the body produces stress hormones (cortisol, aldosterone) and a mobilizing hormone - adrenaline;
• the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is triggered, and somatic symptoms appear - the muscles of the body are tense; increased heart rate, pressure, tension, sweating, trembling in the limbs, etc. Very often there is dry mouth, fever, lump in the throat, shortness of breath, that is, all the signs of VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia).

Remember: what to scold and be angry with yourself in this situation - the crime against yourself, much here simply does not depend on you, it takes time and the correct approach to stabilize all these symptoms, which will be discussed below.

By the way, you should not be afraid of these symptoms listed above, this is a completely normal reaction of the body to your anxiety. The same as if there was real threat, for example, a huge dog would run at you, and you would naturally be afraid of it. Immediately, the heart would pound, the pressure would rise, the muscles would tighten, the breathing would become faster, etc. These unpleasant symptoms are the consequences of the release of chemical elements and adrenaline, which mobilizes our body at the moment of danger.

Moreover, notice and be aware of the fact that all this happens in our body, not only at the moment of a real threat, but also at contrived, virtual when there is no real danger now, no one attacks you, and nothing falls from above. The danger is only in our head - we think about something disturbing, we wind ourselves up with some disturbing thoughts and begin to strain and get nervous.

The fact is that our brain simply does not feel the difference between what is happening in reality and the mental (mental) experience.

That is, all these strong, unpleasant and frightening symptoms can be easily caused by disturbing (negative) thoughts, which will provoke some undesirable emotions, and those, in turn, unpleasant symptoms in the body. This is what many constantly do, and then, in addition, they begin to be afraid of these natural symptoms and even bring themselves to PA () and.

Now, I think, it will be difficult for you to immediately realize this, because this moment of the relationship between the psyche and the body requires a more detailed and deep explanation, but this will be in other articles, and now, so that you can slowly begin to understand yourself, I tell you again I suggest learning to observe yourself, your thoughts and emotions.

Understand where and what comes from, how thoughts, emotions and other related sensations arise; what happens unconsciously, and what we consciously influence; how much it all depends on us, and how your thoughts affect your current state.

How to get rid of obsessive thoughts, fears on your own?

The first step is to realize the fact that you cannot completely believe everything that comes into your head, and you cannot associate (identify) yourself, your “I” only with your thoughts, because we are not our thoughts. Our thoughts are only a part of ourselves. Yes, very important, intellectual, necessary for us, but only a part of us.

Logic (thinking) is our main ally, it is a great tool given to us by nature, but this tool still needs to be able to use it correctly.

Most people believe that ALL our thoughts are only our own thoughts, it is we who invent them, and then we think them over.

Indeed, since some thoughts arise in our head, then these are, of course, our thoughts, but in addition to this, they are largely derivatives of various external and internal factors.

That is, what we can experience, and what thoughts now come to our minds, does not depend only on us whether we like it or not. All this directly will be associated with our mood at the moment (good or bad) and will be a consequence of circumstances beyond our control and past experience.

If we had different attitudes, a different mood, a different past, for example, we would have been born to other parents or now live in Africa - there would be completely different thoughts.

If some negative moment had not happened to us in the past, there would be no bad experience, therefore, there would be no obsessive thoughts.

When we associate ourselves, our "I" only with our thoughts, when we are sure that our thoughts are WE OURSELVES, then we have nothing to do but deeply believe everything that comes to mind, and yet it can come such ...

In addition, it is very important to realize that we are able to observe our thoughts, comment on them, evaluate, condemn and ignore. That is, we are what can be attention outside thinking, be aware of yourself outside your thoughts. And this suggests that we are not only our thoughts, we are something more - that which can be called a soul or some kind of energy.

This is a very important point in solving this problem. You need to stop identifying yourself with your thoughts, stop believing that they are you, and then you will be able to see them from the outside (detached).

Our body speaks to us all the time. If only we could take the time to listen.

Louise Hay

If you start observing yourself and your thoughts, you will quickly notice the fact that most of our thoughts in our head are nothing more than automatic thoughts, that is, they arise unconsciously, on their own without our desire and our participation.

And what's most interesting is that most of these thoughts are repeated every day. These are 80-90% the same thoughts only in different variations.

And this is not just someone's words, this is a confirmed scientific fact based on numerous studies. In fact, we think and replay the same things in our heads every day. And you yourself can trace it.

Second step, about which I briefly wrote in the article ““, you cannot in any way fight with obsessive thoughts, resist and try to get rid of them, brush them off and forget.

Watch yourself: if you are trying very hard not to think about something, then you already think about it.

If you strive to get rid of thoughts, switch or somehow drive them away, then they will prevail even more strongly and persistently.

Because by resisting you themselves endow them with an even greater emotional charge and only increase the internal tension, begin to be more anxious and nervous, which, in turn, intensifies the symptoms (unpleasant physical sensations), which I wrote about above.

Therefore, the key point is do not struggle with thoughts, do not try to somehow distract yourself and get rid of... Thus, you will save a lot of energy that you are now wasting on fighting them, without getting anything in return.

How to stop obsessive self-talk if you can't fight?

At the moment when obsessive thoughts visited you, and you realized that these thoughts do not tell you something really necessary (useful) - this is just from time to time, many times, like a worn-out record, a repetitive internal dialogue that you are then it is very disturbing and has not yet resolved your problem - simply, impartially, indifferently begin to ignore these thoughts, without trying to get rid of them.

Let these thoughts be in your head, allow them to be, and watch them. Look at them even if they scare you.

In a different way, and perhaps it would be more correct to say, without entering into a dialogue with them, without analyzing You just contemplate them, gently trying not to think about them.

Do not analyze what obsessive thoughts tell you, just observe them without delving into their essence. Always remember that these are just ordinary thoughts that you don't have to believe in, and you don't have to do what they say.

Don't avoid the sensations

Also observe the emerging emotions and sensations in the body that cause these thoughts, even if they are very unpleasant to you. Take a closer look and feel what, how and at what moment is happening. This will give you an understanding of why your unpleasant symptoms are occurring and why at some point you start to feel worse.

Just as with thoughts, do not try to get rid of these feelings, give in to them, even if you feel bad for a while. Remember that these are completely natural, albeit painful symptoms, and they have a reason. During the war, people did not experience that and after a long and healthy life.

These sensations are necessary accept and live to the end... And gradually inside of you, at a level deeper than our consciousness (in the unconscious), a transformation of these sensations will take place, and they themselves will weaken until at some point they completely stop bothering you. Read more about the sensations in this one.

Without struggling with internal processes, you can smoothly transfer your attention to breathing, make it a little deeper and slower, this will speed up the body's recovery (read more about proper breathing).

Pay attention to the world around you, people and nature - to everything that surrounds you. Consider the texture of various things, listen to sounds, and when doing something, direct all attention on this matter, that is, plunge into real life with full attention.

Acting in this way, it is not necessary to do everything in the sequence I have described, do as you do now, the main thing is consciously and carefully observe everything.

If thoughts return, let them be, but without mental analysis and struggle from your side.

Your indifference and calm attitude without a struggle to these thoughts will significantly reduce or even deprive them of their emotional charge. With practice, you yourself will understand.

Do not rush things, let everything go its natural course, as it should go. And these thoughts themselves will surely go away. And they will leave without consequences or without serious consequences for you. It turns out that you are calm and smooth, somewhere imperceptible to yourself, naturally transfer your attention to something else.

By learning not to struggle with thoughts, you learn to live when those thoughts are and when they are not. No annoying thoughts - great, but if there are - it's also normal.

Gradually, with a change in your attitude towards them, you will cease to be afraid of the appearance of any thoughts, because you realize that you can live peacefully without being afraid or tormented by them. And these thoughts in the head will become less and less, because, without running away from them, without endowing them with strength, they will lose their sharpness and by themselves will begin to disappear.

Arguing with obsessive thoughts and finding a logical solution

It so happens that you, trying to get rid of a constantly overwhelming, obsessive thought, are looking for some thoughts or mental solutions that would calm you down.

You are thinking intensely, perhaps arguing with yourself or trying to suggest something to yourself, but by doing so, you only reinforce the problem from the inside.

In a dispute with obsessive thoughts, you will not prove anything to yourself, even if you manage to find a thought that will calm you down for a while, soon the obsessive thoughts in the form of doubts and worries will return, and everything will start in a circle.

Trying to replace thoughts or convince yourself of something with obsessions does not work.

How to get rid of obsessive thoughts: mistakes and warnings

Don't count on quick results... You could nurture your problem for years, and in a few days change your attitude to thoughts, learn to impartially observe them, not succumbing to their provocation - it will be difficult, and this really needs to be learned. Some will have to overcome intense fear, especially in the beginning, but it will get better further.

You can do something almost immediately, and it will immediately become easier for someone, others will need time to feel how it all happens, but everyone, without exception, will have recessions, the so-called "kickbacks" or "pendulum", when the past state and behavior is returned. The important thing here is not to get discouraged, not to stop, and to keep practicing.

Very bad talk to someone about your condition, about what you are experiencing, share and discuss your experiences not with a professional person.

This can only ruin everything. Firstly, because you once again remind yourself, your psyche, your unconscious of what is happening to you, and this does not contribute to recovery in any way.

Secondly, if the one to whom you are telling something, showing his initiative, begins to ask: “Well, how are you, is everything all right? Are you well already? " or “Never mind, all this is nonsense,” - such questions and words can simply ruin the healing process. You yourself can feel what you feel at the moment when you were told something like that, take a closer look at the inner sensations, you clearly feel worse, you begin to feel sick acutely.

Therefore, it is very important to exclude all conversations on this topic with other people, except for a specialist doctor. Thus, by not communicating about what you are experiencing, you will remove many reminders (internal messages) that you are supposedly sick, and you will stop developing your problem deeper.

Trying not to fight with obsessive thoughts, you observe them, but at the same time you internally want and try to get rid of them, fight with them, that is, in fact, the same struggle takes place.

Therefore, a very important initial step here will be to capture and fix itself wish get rid of obsessive thoughts. Do not go on about this desire, just be aware of it within yourself.

There is no need to wait impatiently for these thoughts to go away and that they will not appear again.

This is impossible, because memory cannot be fooled, and it is unreasonable to induce amnesia, friends, well, it is unreasonable. If you are constantly waiting for some of your thoughts to disappear and never return, you are already creating resistance and struggle, which means that the problem will remain a problem, and you will continue to dwell on it.

The key in solving it is not that these or similar thoughts will no longer exist, but in your correct approach - in change in attitude (perception) towards them... And then you just won't care a lot about what comes to your mind at times.

Notice this fact when you have already plunged into an obsessive internal dialogue, or you have some kind of obsessive fear, sound logic completely stops working. You seem to be able to remember or think about something that is correct and necessary at this moment, you can say sensible words to yourself, but if you did not succeed in following them right away, then the logic is no longer perceived, the obsessive state stubbornly dictates its own. Even understanding all the absurdity of this obsession (and many people understand), it is impossible to get rid of it either by willpower or by logic.

Impartial(no evaluation) deliberate observation no logical analysis(because, in essence, obsessive thoughts are absurd, and even if in some cases they come on business, they only remind and signal that we need some practical steps to solve the problem, and not that these thoughts should be thought), without identifying with this state (that is, observe everything that happens inside you: the thought process and sensations from the outside, you are separate, the obsessive state (thoughts and sensations) is separate), and natural, soft, without resistance to these thoughts switching (when you do not try in every possible way, by an effort of will, to distract yourself, get rid of, forget, etc., that is, you accept everything that is happening to you now), is the most correct way out of the situation and the natural process of recovery (release from the obsessive state and thoughts), except.

If you had done this initially, then you would not have this problem now.

P.S. Remember always. In any case, no matter what the obsessive thoughts tell you, there is no point in going deep into them and replaying the same thing a hundred and a hundred times.

Even if some obsession suddenly turns out to be justified and will inform you about a real case or some real problem, then you must solve it in a practical way ( actions), not thoughts. You just need to do what needs to be done; what the imposing thought informs you about, and then there will be no reason to worry and think about it.

Best regards, Andrey Russkikh

Obsessive-compulsive neurosis is a mental disorder that is accompanied by the appearance of obsessive ideas, burdened thoughts, a state of internal anxiety, and also allowing to reduce this anxiety.

Causes and stages of development

Obsessive neurosis develops due to biological and psychological factors. But each case is individual, and therefore the degree of influence of factors is different. The severity of manifestations is measured on the Yale-Brown scale. If we consider the psychological side of obsessive states, then compulsive behavior (which is not rational) may be due to genetic markers.

According to science, obsessive neurosis occurs as a result of metabolic disorders of the hormone of joy - serotonin. Doctors believe that serotonin is a level regulator by binding to nerve cells through receptors. In addition, scientists suggest that ecology may be the third factor, but the genetic link has not yet been established. By the way, the likelihood of a hereditary predisposition to obsessive-compulsive disorder is extremely high, based on the latest medical research.

Medicine knows 3 stages of the course of obsessive-compulsive neurosis:

1. At stage 1, the manifestations of obsessive states can persist both for 2-3 months and for about 2 years.
2. Remitting, characterized by a weakening of obsessions and impulses.
3. This stage is characterized by a progressive form of the disease. At the same time, complete disposal of anxiety and disturbing thoughts is extremely rare. Closer to the age of 40, obsessive neurosis with its painful manifestations recedes.

In the 19th century. the term became popular, which was equated to the patient's obsession. Scientist Jean-Etienne D. Esquirol called this type of disorder a disease of doubt, since patients often hesitated between common sense and complete nonsense.

Obsessive-compulsive neurosis is less likely to suffer than neurasthenia or hysterical neurosis. But persons of both sexes suffer from this disorder equally. Diagnosis is simple: the patient is asked to stretch his arms forward to make sure his fingers tremble. In addition, with obsessive-compulsive neurosis, tendon reflexes are revived, hand hyperhidrosis and disorders in the functioning of the autonomic system.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms

Among the most characteristic signs of an obsessive state, the following can be distinguished:

• repetitive behavior;
• rituals;
• regular checks of their own actions;
• burdened thoughts that become cyclical;
• craving for counting numbers;
• preoccupation with thoughts of religion, fear, intimate details.

Most often, the people around the patient suffer from obsessive-compulsive neurosis, trite perplexed by what is happening. However, it should be noted that the patient reproaches himself for illogical and irrational behavior and actions, but is unable to fight the adversity.

People suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder and its symptoms behave inappropriately in everyday life, their actions can be described as paranoid. Many patients admitted that they understand all the irrationality of their actions, which in the future leads to a restless state. The disease, according to doctors, can appear at any age. For example, patients claim that obsessive thoughts have manifested themselves and continue to destroy a person's consciousness throughout their lives.

Obsessive-compulsive neurosis in most cases manifests itself in people-perfectionists, pedantic personalities, often fixated on little things that others would never have noticed. But it is the obsession that becomes the ignition key for the future neurotic state.

Similar symptoms are seen in autistic patients. The disease often affects individuals with a high level of intellectual abilities. Such people are distinguished by excessive attention to detail, scrupulous phased planning of further actions, fear of taking a risky step, an increased level of responsibility, as well as indecision and slowness in making important decisions in life.

In addition to all of the above, patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder are characterized by all kinds of phobias:

• carcinophobia - fear of the likelihood of contracting cancer;
• lissophobia - fear of going crazy;
• cardiophobia - fear of dying from heart disease;
• oxyphobia - fear of sharp objects;
• - fear of confined space;
• - fear of open spaces, premises;
• acrophobia - fear of heights;
• fear of blushing in public.

All of the above phobias can be characterized as obsessive-phobic neurosis, which is difficult for a person to fight, since it arises against his will. The patient tries in every possible way to resist the awakening fears and desires, but ultimately do nothing about it. Fears or phobias can have both an objective basis and arise from illusions and made-up stories.

People often, attacks in broad daylight, lack of money, lack of jobs. In rare cases, phobias can lead the patient to commit suicide.

What is it? This is primarily the discrepancy between the perceived danger and the real threat. But it must be said that fear exists only in the mind of a person and is not always an objective phenomenon. The patient is not able to rationally assess the current situation and protect himself from the source of fear. The only way out for him is to surrender to the power of the phobia. But this is the answer to the question of how to overcome a phobia. You just need to face your fears face to face in order to finally find out whether it is really worth worrying about it.

With obsessive-compulsive disorder, patients are irritable, get tired quickly, and find it difficult to concentrate on any kind of activity. People complain about sleep problems. Symptoms in each patient manifest themselves in different ways, but they are united by a depressed mood with a feeling of inferiority in relation to others. In any situation, a neurotic patient feels hopelessness and hopelessness.

The neurosis can acquire a chronic form with periodic bursts of exacerbation.

Characteristic signs of the disease in children

Considering the course of the disease in children, scientists came to the conclusion that the process is reversible, that is, there is no disturbance in the perception of the surrounding reality. Parents often do not pay attention to the child's changed behavior, believing that a fleeting change in mood or behavior is just a prank. Signs of the disease in children:

• periodically repetitive movements;
• frowning of the forehead;
• sniffing;
• twitching shoulders;
• clapping hands;
• stomping.

Add to this list the feelings of dread that children experience, for example, fear of damaging furniture, staining a new jacket, or being left in an enclosed space.

When children become adolescents, the obsessive-compulsive neurosis itself changes. Teenagers are afraid to speak in front of a large crowd of people, suffer from the thought of dying prematurely from an illness. Their behavior becomes diametrically opposite. Actions can be sometimes immoral and blasphemous, an obsession can haunt for months. At the same time, it is impossible to translate into reality all experiences, but the state itself causes fear and anxiety. In such situations, parents should seek the help of a psychotherapist. For the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, methods of play and fairy-tale therapy are used. Of course, the age of the child and the degree of the disease play an important role.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder

For some people, it happens that they suddenly want to make the same movements periodically. At the same time, a person critically evaluates his own actions. Such constant movements are called compulsions in medicine. Typical signs of compulsions:

• an irresistible desire to perform any action;
• in most cases, patients are aware of the entire irrationality of behavior, but there is nothing they can do about it;
• compulsions destroy a person's life, as irrationality tries to supplant the rational principle.

Among the most common obsessive movements in adults, the following should be highlighted:

Doctors have not come to an exact definition of the causes of obsessive compulsive disorder. But most often, the neurosis of obsessive-compulsive movements occurs due to the action of psychological factors (psychological trauma), biological (hereditary predisposition, trauma in the family), sociological (strict education based on religious beliefs).

Treatment and prevention of the disease

In order to determine how to treat, an experienced physician identifies the form and severity of the disease. Therapy is performed both comprehensively and individually, based on the characteristics of the patient's behavior. Mild obsessive-compulsive disorders are treated with psychotherapeutic methods. To cope with neurosis will help the usual training, which will bring a positive result, gradually suppressing obsessions and thoughts. But if a positive effect is not observed, then it is recommended to use hypnotic methods. The patient is prescribed sedatives and tonic drugs depending on the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder and the stage of the disease.

To cure obsessive-compulsive disorder at the initial stage, when the patient also suffers from obsessive-phobic neurosis, is necessary with the use of tranquilizers and antidepressants. When choosing a dose of a medicine, the nature of obsessive-compulsive disorder is taken into account, how to get rid of a disorder most quickly. If after treatment the obsessive-compulsive disorder disappears, then it is advisable to carry out supportive therapy for another 6 months to a year. In addition, the correct regime of work, rest and sleep should be observed.

There are severe cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, treatment at home for which is not possible, therefore, it is treated only in a hospital. For treatment, drugs such as antipsychotics, antidepressants and hypoglycemic doses of insulin are used. The recovery period directly depends on the patient himself, his desire to re-become a part of society and to set aside obsessive thoughts or ideas. Therefore, symptoms and treatment are interrelated in this case. When the patient cannot cope with isolated obsessions (fear of heights, fear of the dark, claustrophobia), it is necessary to resort to the method of self-hypnosis. The protracted course of obsessive-compulsive disorder is the reason for the transfer of such an employee to an easier job. Possible complications can become a reason for assigning a disability to such a patient.

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder at home is carried out by non-drug folk methods, which are best suited for people who already expect danger from all sides. How to get rid of obsessive-compulsive disorder? Obsessive thoughts can either reduce food cravings or, conversely, increase appetite. In both cases, you should include in the diet foods containing vitamins B and E, as well as magnesium and calcium. It will be useful to use juices, water and herbal decoctions based on ginseng, oats, wild oats, hop cones, valerian, linden and chamomile. Well proven: self-massage, cognitive and aromatherapy, exercise.

Preventive measures to combat obsessive-compulsive disorder are reduced to the deliberate stop of obsessive thoughts, which blocks the manifestation of other symptoms. This technique is designed for those who are trying to answer the question of how to cure neurosis, and who are really able to resist obsessive thoughts.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts, manias and phobias, as well as repetitive actions aimed at suppressing anxiety and fear. The clinical picture of the disease can be very diverse. People who have such neuroses are prone to constant checks and accumulations, are preoccupied with cleanliness, can repeat meaningless rituals before performing any habitual action. Often, neurotic states are manifested by sexual preoccupation, a tendency to violence.

Most of these symptoms are repulsive to those around you, and they take up time and sometimes money. To outsiders, the actions of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder seem irrational and even paranoid. The patients themselves are also aware of their pathological condition and often seek help on their own to get rid of the disease.

History reference

The term "neurosis" became widespread in the nineteenth century. "The disease of doubt" - this is how the scientist Dominic Eskirol called the neurosis of obsessive states. He defined this disease as an intermediate state between disorders of the will and intellect. In subsequent years, other scientists have identified the similarity of obsessive states with delusions.

A neurotic state can occur in both adults and children. Many adult patients claim that the first signs of a mental disorder appeared in their childhood or adolescence. Interestingly, obsessive-compulsive personality change, characteristic of a neurotic state, most often occurs in people with high intelligence and outstanding mental abilities. Common traits of patients include meticulous attention to detail and planning, avoidance of any even minor risks, increased responsibility and hesitation when it comes to making certain choices.

Causes of occurrence

Obsessive-compulsive disorder develops due to a large number of biological and psychological factors. As the main cause of the development of the disease, it is customary to consider the dysfunction of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which plays an important role in the regulation of the level of anxiety.

Certain genetic disorders can be other causes of neuroses. Studies have shown that neuroses are characteristic of those people in whose families there were already cases of similar diseases. The strongest association with heredity is seen in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder. This connection is usually absent in people who first encounter the disease as an adult.

In addition, the reasons for the emergence of obsessive states can lie in an unfavorable environmental situation, the age of the patient, and some diseases. It was found that in adolescents neurosis often develops against the background of syndromes caused by streptococcal infections or immunological reactions of the body to other pathogenic microorganisms.

An exacerbation of the disease can occur due to a general decrease in immunity and depletion of the body, as well as with chronic lack of sleep, stress, mental or physical fatigue.

Clinical signs

Obsessive-compulsive disorder causes a wide variety of obsessive states in patients. These can be unfounded fears and phobias, repetitive actions that interfere with a person's normal life. Symptoms of neurosis-like states are always pronounced. Conditionally, the clinical manifestations of the disease can be divided into several groups: obsessions, compulsions, phobias and comorbidity.

Obsessions are usually called obsessive thoughts, associations or actions that involuntarily invade a person's consciousness. For people suffering from neurotic disorders, you have to constantly perform certain actions and rituals that can somewhat calm inner anxiety. For others, such actions often seem meaningless and even paranoid.

Obsessions can be very clear and bright, or somewhat vague. With vague obsessions, a person lives in a constant conviction that his life can never become normal while maintaining the existing imbalance, he is haunted by a feeling of tension and some kind of confusion. With pronounced sessions, obsessive thoughts become more specific. A neurosis can be manifested by anxiety for loved ones, a feeling of their approaching death, etc. Some people strive for accumulation, treating inanimate material objects as living beings, while realizing all the inadequacy of their actions.

Sexual obsession can also be characteristic of OCD. Thoughts and anxieties of a sexual nature from time to time arise in healthy people, but with neurotic states they are given special importance. With all this, a sick person, as a rule, realizes that his thoughts and actions are at odds with reality, but, nevertheless, continue to act as if their concepts are not irrational.

Compulsions

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by the fact that a person constantly feels the need to perform certain compulsive rituals that help to calm the feeling of fear and anxiety. In fact, performing certain actions instills in the sick person the confidence that this will help to avoid some terrible event.

Neurotic conditions can be manifested by biting off nails, counting steps or some things, frequent hand washing, repeated checks, arranging things in a strictly defined order, etc. Sick people are always aware of the irrationality of their actions, as well as the fact that their implementation will bring only short-term relief. In such circumstances, it becomes very difficult for a person to lead a normal life, work and communicate with people around him.

In some cases, obsessive-compulsive disorder occurs without any overt compulsions. Instead of performing real actions, the person experiences them mentally and tries to avoid circumstances that could cause obsessive thoughts.

Phobias

A variety of fears and phobias, which are very difficult to get rid of, are also a characteristic symptom of neuroses. The most common phobias associated with this disorder include:

• Simple phobias. Unmotivated fears, due to which a person constantly strives to avoid certain situations. These phobias include fear of fire or water, fear of infections, etc.;
• Social phobia. Fear of being in an awkward position with a large crowd of people;
• Claustrophobia. Fear of being trapped in a confined space;
• Agoraphobia. Fear of open space, etc.

In addition to the above symptoms, neurotic conditions can have other manifestations. Most often, patients have a depressive or anxiety disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia, and Tourette's syndrome. There are also studies showing that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder are more prone to alcoholism and drug addiction, and the use of alcohol or drugs becomes a compulsive effect. According to other scientific studies, people with neuroses are more likely to suffer from sleep disturbances and depression.

Features of the disease in children

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children, as a rule, has a reversible mental character. The perception of the child's world with this disease is not distorted, and parents can completely ignore the pathology, taking it for age features. In children, neuroses are manifested by obsessive movements and fears. These can be nervous tics, thumb sucking, clapping, sniffing, etc. Fears are often added to such manifestations. The child may be afraid of the dark, confined spaces, dirt, etc. All this negatively affects the psyche and emotional state of children.

Fears change in character as children grow. During adolescence, fear of death, public speaking at school, and the like may develop. The child may behave immorally, experiencing obsessive desires that cannot be realized. Only a psychotherapist can help get rid of them with the help of effective methods of therapy.

The most common causes of neuroses in children are psychological trauma, an unfavorable family environment, excessive parental care or, on the contrary, its absence, and abrupt changes in the way of life. The risk group also includes children who have suffered craniocerebral trauma, infections, as well as those who have chronic diseases of the body that exhaust the nervous system.

Treatment methods

It is possible to get rid of neuroses and obsessions only with a comprehensive and individual approach to treatment. When composing a therapeutic program, the doctor must take into account not only the clinical course of the disease, but also the characteristics of the patient's personality.

First of all, you need to protect a person from factors that call out obsessive thoughts. If this is not possible, then special psychotherapeutic techniques, for example, hypnosis, will help get rid of them. Be sure to carry out psychotherapeutic measures aimed at convincing the patient. With phobias, the patient is trained.

Medication can also help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. Depending on the stage of the disease, the doctor may prescribe tonics and sedatives. If the neurosis at the initial stage is accompanied by phobias and anxiety, mild tranquilizers are prescribed, the doses of which are selected individually. At the same time, the patient is shown to observe a certain regimen of the day and rest, as well as a diet rich in vitamins.

Severe neuroses in neurotic depression are usually treated in stationary conditions. Psychotherapy and drug therapy, including the use of antipsychotics and antidepressants, helps to get rid of the disease. With signs of recovery, the patient must be gradually involved in collective life, switching his attention from obsessive thoughts.

Neuroses in young patients can be treated using play techniques, fairy tale therapy, which, if necessary, are supplemented with drug therapy. It is also necessary to observe the correct regimen of the day and nutrition, to take measures to strengthen the child's immune system.

The main symptoms are:

• Desire for perfect cleanliness
• Obsessive memories
• Obsessive thoughts and images
• Obsessive bill
• Self-doubt
• Fears
• Increased physical activity
• The appearance of phobias
• Sexual obsession
• Doubts
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Phobias
• Frequently repeated rituals
• Feelings of inadequacy

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (in other words, obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a mental disorder that is accompanied by constant obsessive images, fears, memories and doubts, often resulting in meaningless ritual actions. From 1 to 5% of the world's population, regardless of gender, suffer from this kind of neurosis to varying degrees.

Description of the disease

"The disease of doubt" - this is what the 19th century French psychiatrist Jean-Etienne Dominique Eskirol called this ailment. Disturbing thoughts periodically arise in each of us: a speech in front of an audience, an unplugged iron, a responsible meeting make us replay an exciting situation in our head again and again. But if such moments happen every day, and getting rid of obsessive thoughts is becoming more and more difficult, we can talk about an incipient neurosis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder usually follows one of three types:

1. One continuous attack of mental illness that lasts from two weeks to several years.
2. The classic course of the disease with relapses and periods of complete remission.
3. Permanent neurosis with periodic intensification of symptoms.

Causes

Obsessive-compulsive disorder usually develops in intellectuals, thinking, sensitive people who tend to take everything that happens in life to heart.

There are two main groups of reasons that can provoke obsessive-compulsive disorder: biological and psychological.

Scientists are still debating the exact biological cause of this ailment. The official point of view is this: at the heart of a mental disorder lies a violation of the exchange of hormones - serotonin, which is responsible for the level of anxiety in the body, and norepinephrine, which ensures an adequate course of thought processes.

In 50% of cases, the cause of obsessive-compulsive neurosis in both children and adults is genetic mutations. Various diseases can also provoke the appearance of painful disturbing thoughts:

• traumatic brain injury;
• streptococcal infections;
• chronic diseases;
• immunological response to a strong pathogen.

Psychological reasons are more likely a reason for the development of neurosis, the prerequisites for which are biologically determined. Severe stress, chronic fatigue, and psychological trauma can become a kind of trigger for obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic thoughts. In children, frequent punishments in childhood, fear of public speaking at school, and divorce of parents are capable of causing neurosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder can be very diverse and vary from vague general thoughts to vivid and powerful images, doubts and phobias, which the patient himself cannot get rid of. Traditionally, there are 4 large groups of symptoms of obsessive-compulsive syndrome:

• obsessions (obsessive thoughts, memories, images, doubts, fears);
• phobias (all kinds of fears);
• compulsions (meaningless monotonous rituals);
• comorbidity (additional mental illness).

Obsessions

Obsessions are either vague or extremely specific. Vague anxious thoughts make a person constantly feel anxious, anxious, an understanding of a certain imbalance comes, because of which life cannot be familiar and calm.

Specific obsessions give rise to bouts of anxiety and self-doubt, exhaust the patient and gradually destroy the personality. This is a constant twisting in the memory of events from the past, pathological anxiety for relatives and friends, thoughts about various misfortunes that may happen to the patient or his family, etc. Sexual obsession is often encountered: the patient imagines sexual contact with friends, colleagues, even animals , suffers from the realization of his own inferiority.

Phobias

Popular phobias, which today are known even to a person far from psychiatry, are a classic symptom of obsessive-compulsive neurosis. The most common are:

• Simple phobias are unmotivated fears of a particular situation or phenomenon. These are hydrophobia - fear of water, arachnophobia - fear of spiders, chlophobia - a feeling of panic in front of a crowd of people, bacillophobia - fear of germs and diseases, etc.
• Agoraphobia is a fear of open space. One of the most dangerous types of obsessive compulsive disorder, getting rid of this symptom is extremely difficult.
• Claustrophobia is fear of enclosed spaces. Typical manifestations are panic attacks in a closed room, elevator, train compartment, plane.
• Various social phobias - fear of public speaking, inability to work in someone's presence, etc.

Compulsions

It is possible to distinguish obsessive-compulsive neurosis from other mental pathologies by its characteristic feature. The patient understands that something abnormal is happening to him, realizes the danger of thoughts and the illogicality of his fears, and tries to fight it. At first, various actions and rituals help to get rid of doubts, which also lose all meaning over time.

Vivid examples of compulsions - washing hands every 5 minutes for fear of catching an infection, endlessly checking all turned off electrical appliances due to fear of fire, putting things out in a strict order so as not to be considered a slob, etc. The patient believes that all these actions will help prevent a terrible catastrophe or return a sense of peace and orderliness, but usually he is well aware that this will not completely get rid of disturbing thoughts.

Comorbidity

In addition to the classic symptoms, obsessive-compulsive disorder can be accompanied by other serious mental disorders:

• Anorexia and bulimia nervosa (especially in children and adolescents);
• Anxiety disorder - social and generalized;
• Tourette's syndrome (tic disorder in children).

In addition, drug addicts and alcoholics often suffer from an obsessive syndrome: taking drugs and alcohol can become a compulsion for a neurotic. Neurosis often develops in conjunction with depression and insomnia: disturbing thoughts and memories, which cannot be eliminated, inevitably lead to a depressive state.

Symptoms in children

Obsessive neurosis in children is reversible: the child quite adequately perceives reality, and parents often do not notice the symptoms of the disease, mistaking them for developmental features.

Children can show all the main signs of mental pathology, but most often these are phobias and obsessive movements. In preschool and lower grades, neurosis manifests itself most often as follows: a child bites nails, twists buttons, smacks his lips, snaps his fingers, etc. At an older age, children develop phobias: fear of death, public speaking, closed space, etc.

Diagnostics

Usually, the diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder is not difficult: obsessions, compulsions or obvious phobias, from which the patient cannot get rid of without the help of a specialist. However, an experienced psychiatrist necessarily conducts differential diagnostics in order to distinguish the disease from other disorders with similar symptoms (psychopathy, brain tumor, early stage of schizophrenia) and to select an individual complex treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The main diagnostic methods for such a neurosis:

1. Collecting anamnesis (all information about living conditions, the first symptoms, past illnesses, exacerbations, etc.).
2. Examination of the patient (vegetative-vascular disorders, trembling of the fingers, etc., can declare about the disease).
3. Conversation with family and friends of the patient.

Treatment

If the patient is diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, the treatment must necessarily be complex: medication and psychotherapeutic.

The therapy is carried out in a hospital under the vigilant supervision of a doctor. The most effective drugs for such a diagnosis are antidepressants (Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Clomipramine, etc.), tranquilizers (Clonazepam, etc.), in severe chronic forms - atypical psychotropic drugs.

Psychotherapeutic methods are work with a psychotherapist, cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnosis, etc. Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in young children is effective with the help of fairy tale therapy, play techniques, it is also important to observe a special daily routine and strengthen the child's immunity.

Getting rid of obsessive-compulsive neurosis is quite difficult: cases of complete recovery are usually found in men under 40 years of age and in women. However, long-term full-fledged treatment gives an extremely favorable prognosis and makes it possible to reduce the number of relapses, even with such a neurosis, to a minimum.

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