Content
OCD is a chronic and disabling disorder that can be controlled and treated by the accompaniment of a psychologist in conjunction with the psychiatrist in mild and moderate cases, leading to the reduction and almost disappearance of the symptoms of suffering and anguish, and the compulsions that are characteristic OCD, in addition to increasing the person's quality of life.
When the disorder appears at an early age, the prognosis is generally not favorable. Some of the factors that tend to make the prognosis more favorable for the person are having a stable job, having support from the family and having symptoms of mild intensity.
This disorder appears as a way to relieve intense anxiety through repetitive thoughts and actions, which temporarily relieve anxiety, such as counting several times to a certain number, performing excessive cleaning and arranging objects in a symmetrical way, for example. Better understand what is OCD and what the symptoms are.
How to treat OCD
The treatment for OCD can be done through cognitive behavioral therapy, which is performed by a psychologist, where the person will be directed to better understand why obsessive thoughts appear and what is the rational result of not performing compulsions.
Right after this phase, the professional will gradually expose the person to factors that could previously cause anxiety, distress and a great desire to make changes in the environment, such as fixing asymmetric objects or cleaning a glass stain on a table, so that the reversal of these habits can be developed.
In cases where anxiety, in addition to triggering OCD, causes other symptoms such as restlessness and difficulty breathing, the psychiatrist can complement treatment with anxiolytic drugs such as clomipramine and isocarboxazide, or serotonin reuptake inhibitors (IRS) such as citalopram, fluoxetine and sertraline, for example. Find out how OCD treatment is done.
As OCD can directly interfere in the person's life, it is important that family and friends are informed about the evolution of symptoms and the types of treatment available.
In the most severe cases, where conventional treatment has not improved after 5 years in a row, and after several attempts, neurosurgery may be indicated.
Possible complications
The common complications in these cases are the inability to work, to be in public places and to maintain a good relationship with other people in any environment. In addition, when not properly treated, OCD worsens and can be a factor in the onset of major depression, panic disorder, social phobia or generalized anxiety.
In extreme cases where the disorder is already very advanced, OCD can resemble psychosis and schizophrenia, due to the degree of disability it brings to people in times of crisis. See what the signs of schizophrenia might be.