OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Kant, D, Franklin, M & L. Andrews (2008) The thought that counts New York: Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press has provided the general reading public with an interesting narrative that is explained by an actual patient and written by professionals. Because it is clear and understandable and well written the public can get an understanding of a mental illness. In this case, it is obsessive compulsive disorder. Obsessive means that an individual may think about the same subject all day long. Compulsive indicates that some ritual is conducted over and over. It is maddening. The worst thing is that the individual tries to control it and generally without any positive benefit  they spiral downward in thought and action.

Soon into therapy, one learns NOT to fight the thoughts and compulsion and yet not feed it by reading about their thoughts. First, OCD is a broken brain where circuitry from the front or orbital cortex disrupts to the basal ganglia. Medications that are called SSRI   bathe the brain in a mood stabilizer called serotonin.

Genetics play a part. It is not uncommon for the patient to have relatives that suffered the same phenomena. The environment also aggravates the condition. Traumatic episodes with a peer or parent can be troubling or these same individuals may enable the patient unwittingly. OCD is in a minority of cases related to strep throat. There is also a correlation with depression, panic attacks, tics, and “Tourett syndrome.”

Warning signals include upsetting thoughts, worry, hand washing, fears of contamination, ritualized movements, inflexibility, and hoarding. Being neat and orderly is not OCD.

Relief appears to emerge with  CBT. That is a nice acronym for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In one rendition, the Cognitive is used to make a list of those things feared from the thoughts. Let’s say that you fear most that you will kill someone else with poison. You first list your least fear (getting bug killer for the yard) to the most, pouring poison in someone’s drink. Are you going to do that? Most people who poison others don’t feel the same way OCD folks do. They do not continually suffer. It soon dawns on individuals how bizarre but natural the feelings and thoughts are. In the behavioral portion, the individual puts their hands in water from the tap. It has to be contaminated in some way and work towards touching and organizing a can of bug killer along with other poisons into one’s basement.

All along the professional is supportive. This is something that one should not fight and will be highly unlikely to do. It is just a job that requires some work. In the meantime, one is welcomed to think about poisons all the time and the thoughts begin to weaken.

The drug also helps as well in  support groups.

The book finishes with a glossary and support group.

The book is recommended.