Introduction
Psychology considers and includes the identification, investigation, and therapeutic confrontation of many disorders and adverse mental health conditions. Of the organic, behavioral, personality, emotional, and other disorders identified, obsessive-compulsive disorder is one of the best known, even among laypersons. It is characterized by the notion that it can often be misdiagnosed, has a mild initial form, and interferes with the processes of life in more complex manifestations. By taking a detailed look at this widely known condition, it is possible to improve understanding of it and help inform and promote effective interventions to help people with this disorder.
Definition and Main Issues
Initially, it is necessary to consider the basic definition of this disorder, which is composite: it is possible to distinguish between an obsessive disorder separately or a compulsive disorder exclusively. These parts of the single whole in the distinguished diagnosis condition the absolute advantage of frightening, disturbing, and compulsive thoughts in the former case and predominantly tedious and compulsive actions in the latter. This paper, however, deals precisely with a complex disorder that includes both obsessive thoughts and ritualistic or cyclical behavior driven by the desire to eliminate the anxiety caused by these thoughts. This condition can arise due to the coincidence of certain factors, including neurological, genetic, and even environmental (Goodman et al., 2021).
Its main problem can be highlighted in the area of severe distress and state of anxiety, often associated with a lack of confidence, pollution processes, ideas of harm, and orderliness. Thus, compulsion manifests itself as an obligatory companion of obsessive compulsion, conditioning the search for temporary relief of anxiety through psychologically acceptable actions for the individual.
People suffering from OCD often experience significant disruption in all areas of their own lives, experiencing harm in direct proportion to the severity of the disorder and mental state. First, stress and anxiety, observed as symptoms of the disorder in question, are generally capable of significantly affecting the quality of life, causing sociophobia, embarrassment, or guilt. Second, the cyclical nature and very nature of obsessive thoughts and actions take up a large amount of time, which negatively affects daily activities, relationships with loved ones, and work, and in some individual cases, can threaten the health and life of the individual and others. This manifestation can be observed in socially responsible activities such as driving or operating machines or other machinery. The danger may lie in the distraction in the course of such activities, which can lead to negative and harmful consequences.
Thirdly, a significant problem is the stigmatization of the condition, leading to misconceptions about one’s condition and forming a wrong impression of others. The over-publicity of this disorder marks its frequent use in literature and media. Nevertheless, most average people have inaccurate information about the causes, features, and potential consequences of the disorder, as well as about methods of coping with it (Reid et al., 2021). The lack of ability to recognize symptoms as signs of a treatable mental disorder can complicate the entire process of recovery from the problem, from diagnosis and work with a specialist to rehabilitation. Thus, it is important to note the importance of awareness of OCD, its characteristics, and its impact in the context of supporting and promoting understanding of the issue and normalizing the situation in society.
Recognition of Symptoms
Thus, the nuances of recognizing this psychological condition as a basis require an awareness of the variety and ambiguity of symptoms that manifest in different people at different ages and under different conditions. Obsessions can manifest themselves differently in everyone, and they are dynamic and dependent on a variety of factors. These conditions can include the physical and emotional atmosphere in the social circle, the workplace, the availability and intensity of specialist consultations, medication or therapeutic treatments, and general stress levels. A common sign of obsession is often referred to as excessive fear of something to an excessive level, such as thoughts of violence, fear of infection, making mistakes, and not being sure of what one is doing.
Thus, it is possible to place among the frequent universal manifestations of both handwashing obsession and checking and rechecking any domestic action, such as closing a lock or turning off the electricity. In some cases, these conditions are exacerbated by a need for accuracy or symmetry, i.e., perfectionism (Thompson et al., 2021). In addition, mathematical dependence may also manifest itself, requiring an even or odd number of repetitions of compulsions, counting elements of the environment, or requiring geometric shapes and nuances in any activity to conform to one’s perceptions.
Compulsions are a behavioral response to compulsions and are repetitive, fixated actions designed to reduce anxiety or distress. At the same time, it is especially worth noting that random or purposeful interference with such actions can provoke a significant increase in anxiety levels, a worsening of related phobias, or even aggravation (Thompson et al., 2021). At the same time, the types mentioned above of compulsions may exhibit aggravation, increased cycle steps, or expansion of compulsive behaviors because of providing only temporary relief. Accordingly, a perceived improvement in the anxiety factor causes even greater adherence to maladaptive behaviors. If worsened, it is unlikely that the activity of the disorder will decrease without certain specifically directed interventions.
In terms of identifying an individual with such symptoms, those around him or her may note anxiety, twitchiness, or preoccupation with his or her own rituals. Usually, the primary manifestation occurs between the ages of 10 and 35, but this does not negate the danger of the onset of the disorder at another age (Reid et al., 2021). According to researchers’ observations, the period of prevalence of the condition increases proportionately to the period of observation. It indicates that this increase is unacceptably high for a chronic illness in a considered stable population regardless of medical care. At the same time, undoubtedly, psychological and medicinal interventions can correct the situation. However, self-referrals to specialists are rare or occur after a considerable time after the onset of the disease.
The disorder can be observed in a member of any socio-economic level or class, and observations with opposite results have been presented, which signals the universality of the condition and the absence of connection with social conditions. In terms of sex differences, there is also no consensus, showing little variation in observations in certain age periods (Reid et al., 2021). Regarding the association of OCD with high intelligence, this condition is not mandatory, and harm from the disease can be found in any type of thinking activity and under any prerequisite. In addition, it is worth noting that many symptoms may not be seen or understood by others, making it difficult for OCD sufferers to socialize. Thus, only the most severe and obvious forms of the illness can be described as obvious and requiring help, and due to stigmatization and lack of awareness, even sufferers may not be aware of the onset and development of the condition requiring help.
Therapeutic Approaches
When considering the problems of treating obsessive-compulsive disorder specifically, it is worth noting that the most common and effective approach to this problem can be considered comprehensive. Most often, it is based on psychotherapy, and if necessary, medication can be used for the most difficult, neglected, or comorbid cases. One of these modern therapies can be called cognitive behavioral therapy, is a widely recognized method in the treatment of a variety of disorders, including those related to anxiety and behavioral and thinking problems – OCD most often includes all these types of deviations. A major subdivision of this methodology is the exposure and reaction prevention method, or ERP, referred to in some sources today as the main treatment for OCD (Reid et al., 2021; Thompson et al., 2021).
The essence of this therapy is as follows: compulsions are gradually and piecemeal individually uncovered, addressed, and evaluated in order to prevent concomitant compulsions. In other words, the focus is on removing the obsessions as the root cause of the disorder and the compulsive behaviors involved. If the patient’s understanding and personal attitude toward each individual compulsion changes, it is also possible to remove the consequences, but it is the gradual and step-by-step disclosure over a long period that can be called effective.
The therapeutic method of acceptance and commitment, ACT for short, is considered the second most popular and effective. It focuses, for the most part, on alleviating symptoms and striving for a cure by reducing the harms and effects of intrusive thoughts. In contrast to ERP, this method involves stating, accepting, and resigning to such thoughts and trying to replace their control or elimination with identification and distraction or ignoring them. In the process of acceptance, attention can be shifted to more relevant or important values for the person to follow regardless of the obsession (Reid et al., 2021). Undoubtedly, like any other psychotherapeutic approach, ACT is not universal and cannot be applied in every single case. Its appropriateness and optimality of use should be based on specificity and used by the specialist when necessary.
Diminishing symptoms, curing non-severe forms, and continuing to live life to the fullest are likewise possible as a result of concomitant or individual medication interventions. Medications used in such cases may be antidepressants like clomipramine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like paroxetine or citalopram, or benzodiazepine tranquilizers in selected cases of pharmacotherapy at the beginning of treatment (Goodman et al., 2021). If antidepressants show ineffectiveness, however, atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine combined with biological and physical therapy may be used.
Conclusion
Thus, the considered disorder from the provided list of psychological problems is one of the rather common and superficially known in society. In order to enhance and improve the grade of life of those suffering from OCD, it is imperative to understand and promote public awareness in order to promote further effective interventions to help people with this disorder. In addition, with the level of recognition of the signs of OCD, empathy for those affected can increase, reducing stigma and inadequate perceptions of people with the disorder. Effective psychotherapy interventions, including CBT and ACT, demonstrate modern medicine’s capabilities and emphasize the condition’s overall treatability.
The possibility of the addition of medicines in the form of antidepressants and other kinds of treatment promotes a real probability of the formation of an individual strategy for each person, regardless of the severity of a course of illness. With timely diagnosis, seeking help, and a commitment to recovery, this disorder can be defeated, greatly enhancing the everyday life and increasing the amount of free time an individual is able to enjoy.
References
Goodman, W. K., Storch, E. A., & Sheth, S. A. (2021). Harmonizing the neurobiology and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 178(1), 17–29. Web.
Reid, J. E., Laws, K. R., Drummond, L., Vismara, M., Grancini, B., Mpavaenda, D., & Fineberg, N. A. (2021). Cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 106(1), 152223. Web.
Thompson, B. L., Twohig, M. P., & Luoma, J. B. (2021). Psychological flexibility as shared process of change in acceptance and commitment therapy and exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A single case design study. Behavior Therapy, 52(2), 286–297. Web.