ADAVIC Information Sheets
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - OCD
BACKGROUND
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a highly prevalent disorder
that affects about 2% of the general population. As with most anxiety
conditions, females are slightly more prone to developing OCD than
males. A large proportion of people who suffer from OCD appear to
have experienced some sort of precipitant prior to onset with symptoms
frequently manifesting following trauma, infection or pregnancy. There
is not yet much known about the cause of the disorder, but some studies
suggest that symptoms may wax and wane over time.
SYMPTOMS
People with OCD usually experience recurrent and persistent intrusive
thoughts, impulses, or images that are distressing and are not simply
excessive worries about real-life problems. The person tries to suppress
such mental events or to neutralise them with other thoughts or actions.
Typically, people with OCD feel compelled to carry out repetitive
behaviours (such as hand-washing, checking, ordering or seeking of
reassurance from others) or to perform mental acts (such as thought
replacement, mental checking, mental listing of possible catastrophic
events, or praying). These behaviours or mental strategies are often
attempts to prevent harm to either self or others. These intrusive
thoughts or repetitive acts usually cause marked distress and will
significantly impair normal functioning, taking more than one hour
per day to perform.
ONSET
It is not yet known what causes OCD. Probably, the strongest evidence
suggests that OCD is a learned pattern of behaviour that becomes habitual
as escape from fear is reinforced. Other theories such as genetic
predisposition, neurological deficit or biochemical imbalances are,
at this stage, poorly supported by controlled studies.
TREATMENT
While there are various treatment options available, such as cognitive
therapy, psychoanalysis or medication, most evidence suggests that
behavioural therapy is currently the most effective treatment option
demonstrating a very high success rate. Behavioural therapy works
toward gradual habituation to the fear object by providing strategies
that enable the person to stop ritualising. People with OCD learn
to relax while in contact with the fear object thereby preventing
the reactivation of the cycle through neurological labelling of 'danger'
thoughts. Despite some common misconceptions, behavioural therapy
does take clear account of cognitive processes, but these are often
addressed indirectly, particularly where treatment strategies can
inadvertently become incorporated as mental compulsions.
This information was provided by Sallee McLaren, Clinical Psychologist
