Obsessive states manifest themselves in what area. Obsessive compulsive disorder: what is it, its symptoms and treatment

WHAT ARE OBSOLUTIONAL STATES?

obsessive states - a tendency to incessant repetition of thoughts and actions. Unsuccessful attempts to control and manage thoughts are accompanied by the appearance of low mood and negative emotions.

HOW OBSESSION SYNDROME ARISES

According to the theory of our Russian physiologist IP Pavlov, a special focus of excitation is formed in the patient's brain, with high activity of inhibitory structures. It does not suppress the excitation of other foci, therefore criticality is preserved in thinking. However, this focus of excitation is not eliminated by willpower, is not suppressed by impulses of new stimuli. Therefore, a person cannot get rid of obsessive thoughts.

Later, Pavlov I.P. came to the conclusion that the basis of the appearance is as a result of inhibition in the foci of pathological excitation. Therefore, for example, blasphemous thoughts appear in religious people, violent and perverted sexual fantasies in those who are strictly brought up and preach high moral principles.

Nervous processes in patients proceed sluggishly, they are inert. This is due to the overstrain of the inhibitory processes in the brain. A similar clinical picture occurs with depression. In this regard, patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder often develop depressive disorders.

SYMPTOMS

Psychological

There are many ways in which obsessions manifest themselves:

• focus on unnecessary, absurd, sometimes scary thoughts;
• obsessive counting - involuntary counting, when you simply count everything you see, or do arithmetic calculations;
• obsessive doubts - anxious thoughts, fears, doubts about a particular action;
• intrusive memories - persistent memories that pop up involuntarily, usually about an unpleasant event;
• obsessive drives - the desire to perform actions, the obvious absurdity of which is fully realized by a person;
• obsessive fears - painful disorders, constant experiences, they can be caused by a variety of objects, phenomena, situations;
• obsessive actions - involuntarily repetitive, meaningless movements, not always noticed; they can be stopped by an effort of will, but not for long;
• contrast obsessions - blasphemous thoughts, fears, fear of doing something obscene;
• rituals - certain repetitive actions, often performed as a ritual, especially in the presence of phobias, doubts.

Physical

In obsessive compulsive disorder, physical symptoms are associated with a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for the activity of internal organs.
Along with psychological instability, there are:

1. pain in the region of the heart;
2. headaches;
3. loss of appetite, indigestion;
4. sleep disorders;
5. attacks of hypertension, hypotension - increase, decrease in blood pressure;
6. bouts of dizziness;
7. decreased sexual desire for the opposite sex.

WHO HAPPENS OBSESSIVE NEUROSIS

It is difficult to say how common obsessive neurosis is, because the mass of patients prone to it simply hides their suffering from others, is not treated, people get used to living with the disease, the disease gradually disappears over the years.

A child under 10 years of age rarely has a similar neurosis. Usually affects children and adults from 10 to 30 years. It often takes several years from the onset of the disease to the visit to a neurologist or psychiatrist. Neurosis is more common in city dwellers with low and middle incomes, men are somewhat more than women.

Favorable ground for the development of obsessive neurosis:

1. high intelligence,
2. analytical mind,
3. heightened conscience and sense of justice,
4. also character traits - suspiciousness, anxiety, a tendency to doubt.

Any person has some fears, fears, anxiety, but these are not signs of obsessive-compulsive disorders, because sometimes we are all afraid of heights, a dog bite, darkness - our imagination is played out, and the richer it is, the brighter the emotions. We often check if we have turned off the light, the gas, if we have closed the door. A healthy person checked - he calmed down, and a person with an obsessive neurosis continues to worry, be afraid and worry.

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder never go crazy! This disorder is neurotic - a functional disorder of the brain, but not a mental illness.

CAUSES OF NEUROSIS OF OBSESSION

The exact causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder have not been established, and approximate scientists are divided into:

1. psychological,
2. social,
3. biological.

Psychological

1. Psychotrauma. Events of great importance to the individual: loss of loved ones, loss of property, car accident.
2. Strong emotional upheavals: acute and chronic stressful situations that change the attitude towards oneself and other people and events in the psyche.
3. Conflicts: external social, intrapersonal.
4. Superstition, belief in the supernatural. Therefore, a person creates rituals that can protect against misfortunes and troubles.
5. Overwork leads to the depletion of nervous processes and disruption of the normal functioning of the brain.
6. Pointed personality traits are character accentuations.
7. Low self-esteem, self-doubt.

Social

1. Very strict religious upbringing.
2. Instilled since childhood passion for order, cleanliness.
3. bad social adaptation generating inappropriate responses to life situations.

Biological

1. Genetic predisposition (special functioning of the central nervous system). It is observed in 70% of patients with neurosis. Here, the imbalance of the processes of excitation and inhibition in the cerebral cortex, a combination of differently directed opposite individual typological properties of the nervous system.
2. Features of the response of the autonomic nervous system.
3. A decrease in the level of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine is a disorder in the functioning of neurotransmitter systems.
4. MMD is a minimal brain dysfunction that develops during a complicated birth process.
5. Neurological symptoms: extrapyramidal disorders - stiffness of muscle movements and the accumulation of chronic tension in them.
6. A history of serious illness, infection, trauma, extensive burns, impaired renal function and other diseases with intoxication.

HOW TO GET RID OF OBSESSIVE CONDITIONS?

Psychotherapeutic methods

Psychoanalysis. With the help of psychoanalysis, a patient can identify a traumatic situation, certain causal thoughts, desires, aspirations, repressed subconsciousness. Memories trigger intrusive thoughts. The psychoanalyst establishes in the mind of the client a connection between the root causal experience and obsessions, thanks to the study of the subconscious, the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder gradually disappear

In psychoanalysis, for example, the method of free association is used. When a client voices to the psychoanalyst all thoughts that come to mind, including obscene, absurd ones. A psychologist or psychotherapist registers signs of repressed personality complexes, mental trauma, and then brings them into the conscious sphere.

The existing method of interpretation is to clarify the meaning in thoughts, images, dreams, drawings, drives. Gradually, thoughts, traumas forced out of the sphere of consciousness, which provoked the development of an obsessive neurosis, are gradually revealed.

Psychoanalysis has a decent efficiency, treatment courses are two or three sessions of psychotherapy for six months or a year.

Psychotherapy is cognitive-behavioral. The main goal in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder is the development of a neutral (indifferent) calm attitude to the appearance of obsessive thoughts, the absence of a response to them with rituals and obsessive actions.

At the installation conversation, the client makes a list of his symptoms, fears that cause the development of obsessive neurosis. The person is then intentionally artificially subjected to his inherent fears, starting with the mildest. He is given home assignments, where he must face his fears on his own without the help of a psychotherapist.

This method of treating obsessive-compulsive-type reactions is called exposure and reaction prevention. For example, a person is urged not to be afraid to touch door handles in public transport (for fear of getting dirty and infected), to ride public transport (for fear of crowds), to ride in an elevator (for fear of confined space). That is, to do everything the other way around and not to succumb to the desire to perform ritual obsessive "protective" actions.

This method is effective, although it requires willpower, discipline of the patient. Positive healing effect starts showing up within a few weeks.

It is a combination of suggestion and hypnosis. The patient is instilled with adequate ideas and behaviors, and the work of the central nervous system is regulated.

The patient is put into a hypnotic trance and given positive instructions for recovery against the background of narrowed consciousness and focus on suggestion formulas. That allows you to productively lay mental and behavioral attitudes to the absence of fear.

This method is highly effective in just a few sessions.

How to get rid of obsessive states on your own?

Necessarily, drug treatment obsessive neurosis combined with psychotherapeutic methods of influence. Treatment with drugs, drugs makes it possible to eliminate physical symptoms: pain in the head, sleep disturbances, troubles in the heart area. Medicines are appointed and accepted only on the recommendation of a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

This includes the drugs Citalopram, Escitalopram. They block the reuptake of serotonin at neuronal synapses. Eliminate foci of pathological excitation in the brain. The effect occurs after 2-4 weeks of treatment.

Tricyclic antidepressants

The drug Melipramine blocks the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, facilitating the transmission of a nerve impulse from neuron to neuron.

The drug Mianserin stimulates the release of mediators that improve the conduction of impulses between neurons.

Anticonvulsants

Drugs Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine. They slow down processes in the brain and increase the level of the amino acid tryptophan, which improves the functioning of the central nervous system and increases its endurance.

Dose, duration of taking drugs is set individually.

Drug treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder is prescribed by a psychiatrist. Self-medication is ineffective and dangerous.

FOLK METHODS

During the daytime use preparations of St. John's wort, for example Deprim. This will ease depression, bad mood, and will have a mild tonic effect.

In evening time taking drugs with a sedative-hypnotic effect, for example: valerian, lemon balm, motherwort, peony, hops in alcohol tinctures, sedative preparations, tablets.

Omega-3 fatty acid preparations improve blood circulation in the brain Omacor, Tecom.

For the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, it is effective to apply acupressure at the junction point of the head and neck at the back, the surface of the head.

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

This human mental disorder means the presence in the mind of relentless thoughts, ideas, actions. This is a rather serious deviation of the nervous system, which must be treated for a long time and is difficult by going to the doctor.

Neurosis is often observed in people with a special mentality and is manifested by self-doubt, doubts, anxiety, suspiciousness.

It is characteristic of people who are anxious, suspicious, fearful, extremely conscientious people.

Certain obsessions are observed in almost healthy people.

The main cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder is mental trauma obtained in a conflict situation created by contradictory actions.

Contribute to the development of the syndrome may:

• childhood psychological trauma;
• quarrels in the family;
• neglect of children;
• increased guardianship;
• the impossibility for the baby of independent knowledge of the world;
• complexes and fears of adults, experiences that are specially or accidentally reflected on the child;
• severe stress;
• constant quarrels with others;
• overwork;
• brain injury;
• brain damage;
• schizophrenia and other mental disorders;
• general poisoning of the body;
• autoimmune disorders.

How does obsessive-compulsive disorder syndrome manifest itself?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder has such symptoms: involuntary, irresistibly appearing doubts, fears, ideas, memories and actions with a critical attitude towards them and attempts to deal with them.

Three forms are possible leaks:

• existing symptoms persist for years;
• relapsing course;
• progressive course.

Exacerbation of the process contributes to overwork, infections, lack of sleep, unfavorable situation in the family and at work. Absolute cure is rare. After 35-40 years, the manifestations of the disease subside.

Characteristic and obligatory symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder syndrome are:

You can take an obsessive-compulsive disorder test right now, for this you must have attend:

1. The disease state does not go away throughout life and is permanent.
2. Conditions are combined with a feeling of fear.
3. Obsessive states in the form of specific rituals that do not bring long-term satisfaction.

Obsessive compulsive disorder test

Yale-Brown scale was originally created for use by mental health professionals. All 10 points of the test are filled in when the patient is interviewed, after which the number of points is calculated.

Each of the questions is evaluated on a 5-point principle from 0 to 4. For each item, an average indicator of the severity of symptoms over the past 7 days is determined. Due to the repeated application of the scale, an assessment of the ongoing treatment of the obsessive-compulsive disorder syndrome is carried out.

The test is also suitable for use as an indicator of self-reported mental health. This version of the scale is used when conducting studies of a large number of patients.

When assessing the patient's condition, the indicator of severity of symptoms is studied according to 5 indicators: the duration of symptoms within 24 hours, the level of disability, the level of moral discomfort, resistance to manifestations and control over them.

Total score calculation:

• 0-7 - hidden state;
• 8-15 - mild disorder;
• 16-23 - moderate disorder;
• 24-31 - severe violation;
• 32-40 - deviation of an extremely severe degree.

So incomprehensible and unpleasant - how to diagnose and cure a disease.

How to start the treatment of cerebral encephalitis and why timely diagnosis is of paramount importance.

Diagnostic methods

The delimiting diagnosis of neuroses is carried out with psychoses, schizophrenia, neurosis-like disorders and other pathologies. The clinic of different mental disorders is very different.

There are so-called border states, which are characterized by the simultaneous presence of manifestations of neurosis and severe mental illness.

Correctly determine a specific disease can only be a professional who knows the clinical picture of the disorder, the personal characteristics of the patient.

Treatment - psychology or therapy?

There are such approaches to the treatment of obsessive-compulsive neurosis states:

• drug;
• psychotherapeutic;
• biological.

Medical treatment

Drug treatment of severe cases is carried out only in a medical institution and is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

To fight depression in patients at the initial stages of the disease prescribe various drugs against depression ("Fluoxetine", "Clomipramine").

To neutralize feelings of anxiety use tranquilizers ("Clonazepam", "Diazepam").

For chronic disorders effective psychotropic drugs ("Quetiapine"). A combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy is very helpful.

Psychotherapeutic influence on this type of neurosis also has a positive effect.

The following psychotherapeutic methods are distinguished treatment:

• cognitive behavioral treatment;
• way of "stopping thoughts";
• psychoanalysis;
• transactional analysis.

The decision on how exactly to treat obsessive compulsive disorder and which method to choose should be taken exclusively by the doctor!

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment

Most popular solution when trying to get rid of the obsessive-compulsive disorder syndrome.

It confronts the patient with his fears, thus encouraging him to resist. It is this method that is quite effective in the treatment of violations of obsessive movements and rituals.

The main goal of this psychotherapy- develop a calm type of reaction to relentless thoughts without accompanying them with rituals and actions. This type of therapy is ideal for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder in children, because it does not side effects on the body.

Stop your thought

The method of "stopping thoughts" has its own nuances when treatment:

• Stage 1- selection of a list of unhealthy thoughts and study;
• Stage 2- learn to switch from obsessions to other positive moments in life;
• Stage 3– by means of a loud “stop” command and improvised means, it is necessary to stop the spread of the state;
• Stage 4- learn to eliminate obsessive thoughts through the “stop” command in thoughts;
• Stage 5- if a pessimistic image arises, present it from the positive side.

By this method, you can get rid of the deviation initial stage himself. Mastering the "method of stopping thought" is quite simple, the main thing is to understand the principle and believe in effectiveness.

The main task of the psychoanalytic method of treating the syndrome learn to repress or suppress unnecessary moments in life. Since the patient with obsessive deviation is strongly focused on events, he needs to literally step over himself.

This approach is somewhat difficult to treat the disorder, because psychoanalysis requires the patient to speak boldly, and with such people this is almost impossible.

Thus, it is often very difficult for professionals to achieve complete relief from the disorder.

hypnotic state

Hypnosis is also quite effective, especially when combined with psychotherapy.

After about 10 sessions of the method, the patient feels relief from obsessions.

How to overcome obsessive-compulsive disorder in children using hypnosis?

Used to treat neurosis in children complex way- hypnosis and suggestion. Children easily contact the doctor, easily undergo hypnotic treatment.

Transactional Analysis

The method makes it possible, through games, to identify the life scenario and the inner self of the patient, to defeat obsessions in the early stages of the onset of the disorder, but in most cases this approach is not effective in identifying chronic forms of deviation.

Transactional analysis can be quite difficult to understand. Group studies have shown progress in the treatment of neurosis in children.

Biological method

The biological method of treating deviation is used with the most severe disorders and chronic forms of deviation. To neutralize seizures, strong psychotropic drugs are used that have an overwhelming effect on the nervous system.

People with this disorder frequent patients gastroenterologists and cardiologists. Diseases of the stomach and heart can be triggered by incessant experiences, anxiety, pessimistic attitude and persistent negativism.

Prevention

Primary prevention:

• prevention of traumatic influences on the psyche at work and in life;
• proper upbringing of the child;
• prevention of family quarrels;
• prevention of recurrence;
• changing the attitude of patients to morally traumatic situations through conversations, self-hypnosis and suggestion;
• increasing the brightness in the room, because light increases the production of serotonin;
• normal sleep;
• taking vitamins;
• strengthening immunity;
• a diet with a restriction of coffee and alcoholic beverages and the inclusion of dates, bananas, plums, figs, tomatoes, milk, soy, dark chocolate;
• timely and competent treatment other violations.

Life is arranged in such a way that psychotraumatic situations can lie in wait for us every minute. It is almost impossible to warn them.

But there is always the ability to quickly get rid of the obsessive state by visiting a psychologist or psychotherapist. And it depends on the person himself, who is directly responsible for his moral health.

Video: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by the development of obsessive thoughts, memories, movements, thoughts and actions, as well as a variety of pathological fears.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is not yet considered a clinical disorder in psychiatry, but it will lead to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder if left untreated. The lack of proper treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder is based on the absence of a clear list of symptoms by which it could be determined. The reasons for the development of this disorder are numerous.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder in which a person experiences two main emotions - anxiety and fear. Moreover, they can be absolutely groundless and do not correspond to the real realities of life.

Neurosis is thoughts or memories of a negative nature that arise in a person’s head and cause certain feelings in him. Often, thoughts of an obsessive nature (obsessions) provoke a person to perform actions of a repetitive nature (compulsions). Thus, in obsessive-compulsive disorder, a person often commits illogical and absurd acts that outwardly seem to be such, but, in the opinion of the person himself, are quite logical and justified.

Actions (compulsions) in obsessive-compulsive disorder are repetitive and repeated. That is, a person performs actions many times, which, according to his opinion, should solve his problem, which is caused by anxious and panic thoughts.

There are no statistics on who has obsessive-compulsive disorder most often. However, psychologists say that it most often occurs between the ages of 10 and 35, when a person is most active, socially oriented and purposeful. It occurs more frequently in men and women than in children.

People most often treat obsessive-compulsive disorder at a more mature age, because at a young age they may not pay attention to it at all or treat their “oddities” with disdain, believing that they will pass by themselves. An obsessive-compulsive disorder does not yet become a reason for the compulsory or voluntary treatment of a person in a psychiatric institution. However, this state becomes initial stage for the formation of a serious disorder, which can make a person an unsocial personality.

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a pathology in which a person is weighed down with thoughts and ideas of an obsessive, restless, frightening nature, which in turn can induce him to perform actions of a certain nature many times or periodically.

To understand what obsessive compulsive disorder is, you need to give examples:

1. A person constantly forgets whether he turned off the kettle or iron.
2. The person believes that public appliances are dirty, so you need to bring your own items.
3. A person believes that all people look at him and condemn him.

An elementary example of obsessive-compulsive disorder is fear for the future. We can say that in a neurosis a person is afraid of the future of those circumstances that he has now.

Where do worries and fears about the future come from? Why do people turn to psychics and fortune tellers with a desire to know their future? Why does the future scare a person? There is really no single answer to such questions here, because people are afraid of their future for various reasons.

1. Fear of the future arises in a person's head. We can say that the picture of the future is clouded only by the imagination of man. It is so stormy and full of negative pictures that the future is filled with various unpleasant events. This may be the influence of films, many of which film the events of the future, showing catastrophes, tragic developments of the situation. And a person, impressionable and suspicious, takes everything at his own expense, thinking that the same thing will happen to him.
2. makes you fear the future. A person simply wants to predict what will happen to him in order to prepare, or rather, run away from everything unpleasant. A person’s uncertainty is provoked by the fact that he is not sure that he can cope with any problems in his life. Man is always ready to experience joy. But some people are afraid of the problems. And those people who are afraid of difficulties and problems are afraid of the future, which can still hold a lot of trouble.
3. The habit of fearing the future. Sometimes a person is brought up by his parents in such a way that the future seems scary to him. Parents could say: “We do not know what will happen in the future. There may be war, there may be devastation. All this frightens a child who simply does not want the future to come. And this habit a person reproduces already in adulthood unconsciously.
4. The future is the unknown. The unknown is scary if a person is not ready for it. After all, the unknown is always fraught with something new that a person has not encountered before.
5. The future is the absence of control. If you are afraid of the dark or the fog just because you cannot control the situation and are afraid to face something bad for yourself, then the future also causes fear for you. Simply put, those people who love to control everything and everywhere are afraid of the future. But the future may not be subject to man, because there are always those circumstances that are not subject to him. And then it more than once "hit him in the head", because of which he realizes that he is powerless. Since it is impossible to control, then you need to be afraid of it.

Where do worries and fears about the future come from? The question is multifaceted, answering which you need to communicate directly with a person in order to understand the reasons for his fear. But the main reasons have been listed here.

There are three forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder:

1. Single - which lasts for weeks or months without stopping, while remaining at the same level of intensity or disappearing over the years.
2. Remitting - the signs of the disease either subside, then become aggravated again.
3. Progressive - fears are constantly aggravated, intensified, excitement grows, and new experiences join.

Already after 40 years, the symptoms gradually smooth out, become permanent and familiar to a person.

Causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Although obsessive-compulsive disorder occurs less frequently than hysterical neurosis or neurasthenia, it has its own reasons for development:

1. Physiological:

• Lack of serotonin.
• Heredity, when children suffer from the same diseases as their parents.
• Organic changes in the brain.

1. Psychological:

• Psychotraumatic situations.
• Prolonged, with which a person cannot emotionally cope.
• The mental warehouse of a person who is more focused on his memories, thoughts, ideas.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Addiction to alcohol or drugs.

Studies have also been conducted that have shown that obsessive-compulsive disorder does not depend on the material wealth of a person, but it often occurs in people with a good higher education.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive states are diagnosed in a person if he was subject to obsessions and compulsions for more than two weeks, which forced him to change the mode of his life, provoked a prolonged stressful state, worsened the quality of life and affected his working capacity.

The main symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder is thoughts and actions of an obsessive and stereotypical nature. To those around them, they seem ridiculous. For the person himself, they have a certain meaning. Moreover, he cannot get rid of them, and they also cause him an anxious or fearful state.

There are such signs of neurosis:

1. Fears and doubts - a person begins to doubt the actions taken, begins to redo everything, recheck.
2. Obsessive thoughts - memories, ideas, melodies, etc.
3. Phobia - a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder begins to be very afraid of something specific. There are many phobias here:

• Carcinophobia is the fear of getting cancer.
• Mysophobia is the fear of getting dirty, which is why a person is constantly washing and washing something.
• Hypsophobia and acrophobia - the fear of climbing to a height and being on it.
• - fear of large crowds of people and open spaces.
• Erythrophobia and social phobia - the fear of people, being in public, blushing in front of everyone.
• - Fear of the new and the unknown.
• - Fear of enclosed spaces.

1. Fear-desires - arise when a person is already in a frightening situation. For example, being in the water, he is afraid of drowning, being at a height, he is afraid to take a step forward.
2. Obsessive counting - when a person begins to count everything.
3. Obsessive movements - when thoughts make you perform actions many times and constantly:

• Dermatillomania - peeling off any irregularities from the skin.
• Onychophagia - nail biting.
• Trichotillomania is hair pulling.

1. Inadequate perfectionism - when a person begins to achieve the ideal and perfection in everything in order to minimize the circumstances that cause him to panic.

A person is driven by his fears that arise in his head. However, he cannot ignore them. They control him.

Obsessive compulsive disorder in children

Children can also develop obsessive-compulsive disorder. In young children, they manifest as twitching of the shoulders, drawing on paper without conscious participation, the desire to clean everything, stamping or clapping. In adolescence, this can manifest itself in the fear of speaking in front of an audience, dying, getting sick.

Unfortunately, parents rarely take this condition seriously, which will definitely not go away on its own. Therefore, you need to seek qualified help.

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Depending on the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific treatment is carried out. In a mild form, this condition can be eliminated with the help of hypnosis or learning new actions in a state of obsessive actions. If a person has a moderate or severe form of neurosis, then antidepressants and other medications are prescribed. Possibility of inpatient treatment.

You can resort to breathing exercises that should calm the person. Also practiced here ethnoscience, which offers the preparation of decoctions and teas of a calming nature.

Only a doctor deals with the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is almost impossible to get rid of it on your own.

Outcome

Many people suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, most believe that everything will pass by itself. That is why in the future, relatives, and not the patients themselves, turn to specialists for help.

In detail about obsessive thoughts: what is it, treatment for OCD. Psychology

Syndrome of obsessive states and thoughts - OCD. What is this mental mechanism, and how to get rid of obsessive thoughts and fears? Video

Greetings!

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

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

It will be not only about the knowledge of psychology, but even more importantly, about your own experience, feelings and important subtleties that you need to go through yourself to know about.

I want you to apply and test what will be discussed in this article on your own practical experience, and not on someone else'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 that I want to draw your special attention to.

So, intrusive thoughts, what is it?

In psychology, there is such a thing as “mental chewing gum”. This name alone should tell you something - a sticky, viscous, addictive thought.

Obsessive thoughts, obsessive states or obsessive internal dialogue - scientifically OCD (), otherwise called obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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

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

He comes up with this behavior (action) as a way of some protection from his obsessive thoughts, but in the end these “action-rituals” themselves become obsessions, and the situation only gets worse over time, because these actions themselves constantly remind a person of his problem, reinforce and amplify it. Although this can sometimes help in moments, it is all one-time, short-term and does not get rid of OCD.

Mechanism of occurrence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

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

And this 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 it is right, that this is a normal way of thinking.

Having become habitual, an 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 understand.

But more often this is manifested in what a person is obsessed with, what worries him greatly and for a long time.

From the constant scrolling of a monotonous, restless (often frightening) and essentially useless internal dialogue, such fatigue can pile up that, apart from the desire to get rid of these thoughts, there is no other desire. Gradually, this leads to fear of one's own thoughts, before their appearance, which only aggravates the situation.

A person loses freedom and becomes a hostage of an obsessive state. There is insomnia, VVD symptoms () and almost constant, increased anxiety.

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

Obsessive ideas (thoughts) in their essence.

What are obsessive thoughts in general 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, these are straining, monotonous (monotonous) internal scrolling dialogs the same mental plot, just in different ways. And this unconscious stream of thoughts in the head can so absorb attention that at that moment everything else that is happening around almost ceases to exist.

An 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 “enforcer” that push a person to something.

Many of you may now think, and here is some kind of “reminder” and “signal”, because obsessive thoughts are still just thoughts.

Actually, it's not just thoughts. And the main difference between obsessive thoughts and ordinary, logical ones is that these thoughts, despite all their often seeming reasonableness, do not contain anything healthy in their internal filling.

These irrational, emotional thoughts, as a rule, are always connected with our fears, doubts, resentment, anger, or with something important and disturbing 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?

The Imposing Signal is called a signal that informs us about 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 loan from a bank, you need to pay it off, but you don’t have money right now, and if you are a sane person, you will look for a solution. And in many ways you will be helped by obsessive thoughts, which, whether you want 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 resolve it.

Another example of the usefulness of this intrusive feature.

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

About money, better jobs, better housing, personal relationships, and so on. For example, a person has a goal, and he begins to constantly think about it, makes plans, not looking up, does something and continues to think about it.

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

And even if he tries to tell himself with willpower and sound reasoning “stop, I need to stop thinking about this, I need to rest,” it won’t work right away.

Obsessive thoughts, in this example, make a person think about the important. That is, they perform a completely useful role, not allowing a person to stop there, but at the same time, not caring about his health at all, because this is none of their business, their only role is to signal, remind and push.

The very occurrence of an obsessive state - dangerous and harmful for us - is a sign that failures in the psyche have begun.

Just keep in mind: no matter what important thing you do, if you don’t give yourself a good rest, it can lead to some kind of disorder, chronic fatigue, increased anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and neurosis.

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

Imposing thoughts on an alarming (frightening) occasion

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

For example, thoughts related to health, when a person, having felt some kind of painful symptom, begins to worry, think about it, and the further, the more he frightens himself. My heart stabbed or pounded hard, immediately thought: “Something is wrong with me, maybe my heart is sick.” A person gets hung up on this symptom, worries, and obsessive thoughts arise about this, although in reality there is no disease. It was just a symptom caused by some disturbing thoughts, fatigue and internal tension.

But you can’t just take them and immediately ignore them. Perhaps it really makes sense to listen to these thoughts, because you really can 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 just prone 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, a person does not really want this, but this very thought haunts and frightens him with the fact that it comes to his mind at all.

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

Those who are inclined to something like this, they do not experience within themselves. They either act or wait, that is, they really want it and do not worry about it. If this scares you, then you are not like that, and this is the main thing.

Why did you have your problem? The following happened to you. Some crazy thought once visited you, and instead of saying to yourself: “Well, stupid things can come to mind,” and without attaching importance to this, you would leave yourself alone, get scared and begin to analyze.

That is, at that moment some thought visited you, you believed it and believed that since you think so, it means that you are like that and can do something bad. You trusted without solid grounds this irrational thought, not knowing what is so absurd and can visit any healthy person, this is quite an ordinary phenomenon. That thought, in turn, triggered an emotion in you, in our case, the emotion of fear, and off you go. Later, you got hung up on this thought because it scared you, began to analyze a lot and endowed it with power (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 terrible. You just have a disorder that is definitely treatable, and you definitely won’t do anything bad 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, of course, is also very unpleasant, and how to deal with it, how to get rid of obsessive thoughts, will be below.

For others, obsessions may be related to everyday things, for example, “did I turn off the stove (iron)?” - a person thinks and checks a hundred times a day.

Some are afraid of getting infected with something and constantly or repeatedly wash their hands during the day, wash their apartment (bath), etc.

And someone for a long time can worry and obsessively 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 what is imposed, it is all essentially the same - OCD only in different manifestations.

An example of how obsessive thinking can manifest itself

Let's briefly simple example let's see how often the habit of obsessive thinking can manifest itself, and what physically strengthens and reinforces this habit.

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

You continue to mentally, unconsciously scroll through it in your head, conduct an internal (virtual) dialogue with the opposite side, argue about something and find more and more justifications and evidence of your rightness or your guilt. You get angry, threaten and think: “You should have said such and such or done such and such.”

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

You worry and get nervous over and over again, but in fact you are engaged in the most real, very harmful absurdity, which is reinforced and automatically moved emotional obsession state and anxiety.

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

But if you give in, and this compulsive process drags on, then it can be very difficult to gather yourself internally and stop the internal dialogue.

And you can exacerbate the problem even more if at some point you realize that you are not in control of the situation at all, you become even more afraid of these thoughts, you start fighting 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 running 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 automatic reflex response;
• the body produces stress hormones (cortisol, aldosterone) and a mobilizing hormone - adrenaline;
• vegetative nervous system(VNS), and somatic symptoms appear - the muscles of the body tense up; 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 signs of VVD (vegetative-vascular dystonia).

Remember: what to scold and be angry with yourself in this situation - a crime against yourself, much here simply does not depend on you, it takes time and the right 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 state. The same as if there were real a 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, breathing would become faster, and so on. These unpleasant symptoms are the consequences of ejection chemical elements and adrenaline, which mobilizes our body at the moment of danger.

Moreover, notice and realize the fact that all this happens in our body not only at the moment of a real threat, but also during fictitious, 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 restless, wind ourselves up with some kind of disturbing thoughts and begin to tense up and get nervous.

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

That is, all these strong, unpleasant and frightening symptoms can easily be caused by disturbing (negative) thoughts that will provoke some unwanted emotions, and those, in turn, unpleasant symptoms in the body. This is what many people 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 discussed in other articles, but now, so that you can slowly begin to understand yourself, I will 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?

First of all, you need to realize the fact that you cannot completely believe everything that comes to your mind, 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 magnificent tool given to us by nature, but we still need to know how to use this tool correctly.

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

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

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

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

If some negative moment in the past had not happened to us, there would not have been a bad experience, therefore, there would not have been any obsessive thoughts.

When we associate ourselves, our “I” only with our thoughts, when we are sure that our thoughts are WE, then we have no choice but to deeply believe in everything that comes to mind, but 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 them. That is, we are what can be attended to outside of thinking to be aware of oneself outside one's thoughts. And this suggests that we are not only our thoughts, we are something more - what can be called a soul or some kind of energy.

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

Our body is talking 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 the head are nothing more than automatic thoughts, that is, they arise unconsciously, on their own without our desire and our participation.

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

And these are not just someone's words, this is confirmed scientific fact based on numerous studies. In fact, every day we most often think and scroll through the same thing in our heads. And you can track it yourself.

Second step which I briefly wrote about in the article ““, you can’t fight intrusive thoughts in any way, resist and try to get rid of them, dismiss them and forget.

Take care of yourself: if you try 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 overcome even stronger and more persistently.

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

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

How to stop the obsessive internal dialogue if you can not fight?

At the moment when you were visited by obsessive thoughts, and you realized that these thoughts do not tell you something really necessary (useful) - it's just from time to time, repeatedly, like a broken record, a repetitive internal dialogue that gives you something something that is very disturbing and has not yet solved 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 another 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 are not obliged to believe in, and you are not at all obliged to do what they say.

Don't avoid feeling

Also observe the emotions and sensations that arise in the body that cause these thoughts, even if they are very unpleasant for 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 occur and why at some point you start to feel worse.

Just like with thoughts, don't 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, although painful symptoms, and they have a reason. During the war, people did not experience such things, and after that they lived long and healthy.

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), there will be a transformation of these sensations, and they themselves will weaken until at some point they stop bothering you at all. Read more about sensations in this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

By learning not to fight thoughts, you learn to live when those thoughts are and when they are not. No annoying thoughts - fine, if there is - also normal.

Gradually, with a change in your attitude towards them, you will no longer be afraid of the appearance of any thoughts, because you realize that you can live in peace, without fear and without being tormented by them. And these thoughts in the head will become less and less, because without running away from them, without empowering them, they will lose their sharpness and begin to disappear on their own.

Arguing with obsessive thoughts and finding a logical solution

It happens that you, trying to get rid of a constantly overpowering, 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 convince yourself of something, but by doing so, you only strengthen the problem from the inside.

In a dispute with obsessive thoughts, you won’t prove anything to yourself, even if you manage to find a thought that calms you for a while, soon obsessive thoughts in the form of doubts and anxieties will return, and everything will start in a circle.

Trying to replace thoughts or convince yourself of something doesn't work with obsessive states.

How to get rid of intrusive thoughts: mistakes and warnings

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

Something you can succeed almost immediately, and it will immediately become easier for someone, it will take time for others 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 are returned. It is important here not to be disappointed, not to stop and continue to practice.

Very bad to talk with someone about your condition, about what you are experiencing, to share and discuss your experiences with a non-professional person.

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

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

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

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

Therefore, a very important initial step here will be to capture and fix the self a wish get rid of intrusive thoughts. Do not follow this desire, just be aware of it within yourself.

You don't have to wait impatiently for these thoughts to go away and not to reappear.

It's impossible, because you can't fool the memory, but to induce amnesia, friends, well, it's imprudent. If you keep waiting for some of your thoughts to disappear and never come back, 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 to solving it is not that there will be no more of these or similar thoughts, but in your correct approach - in change in attitude (perception) towards them. And then you just won't care much about what comes to your mind from time to time.

Notice this fact when you are already immersed in 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 right and necessary at this moment, you can say sensible words to yourself, but if you didn’t succeed in immediately following them, 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 logic.

Impartial(no rating) conscious observation without 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 about what these thoughts need to think), without identifying yourself with this state (that is, to observe everything that happens inside you: the thought process and sensations from the outside, you are separate, the obsessive state (thoughts and sensations) are separate), and natural, soft, without resistance to these thoughts switching (when you don’t try in every way on purpose, by an effort of will, to get distracted, 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 (liberation from an obsessive state and thoughts), except for .

If you had done this in the beginning, you wouldn't have this problem now.

P.S. Always remember. In any case, no matter what your intrusive thoughts tell you, there is no point in delving into them repeatedly and scrolling through the same thing a hundred and a hundred times.

Even if some kind of 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 tells you, and then there will be no reason to worry and think about it.

Sincerely, Andrey Russkikh

The essence of obsessive-compulsive disorder, its main etiological factors. The clinical picture of the disorder and the main components this disease. The main directions in the treatment of neurosis.

The content of the article:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a psychological anxiety disorder characterized by the appearance of constant intrusive thoughts that are alien to a person, as well as uncontrolled actions. In addition, this nosology causes anxiety, constant anxiety, and fear in patients. Usually, with the help of obsessive actions (compulsions), these symptoms are removed or alleviated.

Description and development of obsessive-compulsive disorder

A little later, in his robots, M. Balinsky pointed out another important component of such a neurosis. The scientist argued that all the obsessions that arise in the patient are perceived by him as alien. That is, anxiety is caused, in fact, by the presence of constant thoughts and reflections that are alien to a person.

Modern psychiatry has left all the principles established by its predecessors. Only the name has changed - obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Such a diagnosis more accurately describes the essence of the disease and is included in the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision.

The prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder varies by country. Various sources report the incidence rate from 2 to 5% of the total population of the planet. That is, for every 50 people fall from 4 to 10 with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Most studies show that the disease does not depend on gender. Both women and men are affected equally.

Causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder

It is necessary to single out the main groups of triggers that increase the likelihood of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder:

• Personal characteristics. It is known that the characteristics of a person's character largely affect the likelihood of development and course of psychological disorders. So, for example, more hypochondriac personalities who are scrupulous about their duties are prone to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder. They are pedantic in life and at work, they are used to doing work to the smallest detail and are extremely responsible in their approach to business. Usually such people often worry about what they have done and doubt every step. This creates an extremely favorable background for the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Often predisposed to the formation of this personality disorder, who are accustomed to constantly reckon with other people's opinions, are afraid not to justify someone's expectations and hopes.
• Heredity. The study of the genetic connection of obsessive-compulsive disorder patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder made it possible to determine a certain tendency, which is much higher than the population frequency. That is, if a person has such a disease in his family, his chances of acquiring this nosology automatically increase. Naturally, heredity does not mean 100% transmission of genes from parents to a child. For the formation of obsessive-compulsive disorder, the concept of gene penetrance operates. Even if there is such a code in human DNA, it will manifest itself only in the case of additional trigger factors. The heredity of genes is manifested in the disruption of the synthesis of important components of neurotransmitter systems. Neurotransmitters that take part in the transmission of a nerve impulse, thereby carrying out various mental processes in the brain, may be formed in insufficient quantities due to specific DNA. Thus, various symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder appear.
• Exogenous factors. Be sure to take into account the presence of causes from the external environment, which can also affect the mental functions of a person. Most often, this is a powerful physical, chemical or biological influence, which causes a malfunction in the neurotransmitter systems and is manifested by various symptoms, including obsessive thoughts. Significantly worsen brain activity chronic stress in human life, as well as overwork. An important role is played by psychotrauma. Even one significant event in a person's life, which left a significant imprint on his mental state, can significantly worsen his well-being and cause the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Among physical factors effects on mental functions, craniocerebral trauma should be singled out. Even a concussion of any severity can cause changes in the human psyche. Biological factors of influence are represented by infectious agents, as well as other chronic diseases organs and systems.

Manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder

The main symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder are:

1. Concerns. Often people with this disorder are overcome by an obsessive fear that something bad will happen. In any situation, they bet on the worst outcome and do not rationalize the arguments at all. Such people are afraid of ordinary failures, both in serious and responsible moments, and in daily affairs. For example, they often find it difficult to perform in front of an audience. They are afraid of being ridiculed, worried that they will not live up to expectations or do something wrong. This also includes the fear of blushing in public - an absolutely irrational phobia that cannot be explained logically.
2. Doubts. In most cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, there is uncertainty. People very rarely can say anything for sure. As soon as they try to remember all the details, they are immediately overcome with doubts. Classical examples are considered to be constant torment, whether the iron is turned off at home, whether the front door is closed, whether an alarm is set, whether the water tap is closed. Even being convinced of the correctness of his actions and the groundlessness of doubts, a person begins to analyze after a while. That is why the suspicious nature of the character very often becomes the background for the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
3. Phobias. Formed fears are also included in the structure of obsessive-compulsive disorder. They can be completely different and belong to different categories. For example, phobias of diseases are common. People are afraid of catching a contagious infection or exacerbating an existing disease in a mild degree. Many suffer from fear of heights, open areas, pain, death, enclosed spaces, and so on. Such phobias are often found as part of not only obsessive-compulsive disorder, but also independently. Fears fetter a person's consciousness, irrationalize his thinking and contribute to the emergence of other obsessive states. Often the presence of such a disorder can be suspected only after the appearance in clinical picture one of the phobias.
4. Thoughts. Obsessive thoughts are also those that do not carry any rational explanation. That is, the same phrase, song or name “gets stuck” in the head, and the person constantly scrolls it on repeat. These thoughts often may not coincide with the opinion of the person himself. For example, it is typical for him to speak quite censoriously and never swear dirtyly, and obsessive thoughts constantly make you think about not quite decent words. Unfortunately, in this state, a person is not able to independently change the topic of thoughts, they are like an ongoing waterfall of thoughts that cannot be stopped.
5. Memories. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is also characterized by recurring passages from the past. A person's memory returns him in time, demonstrating the most important events or traumatic situations. The difference from standard memories is their alienation. That is, a person cannot control what he remembers. It can be images, melodies, sounds that took place in the past. Most often, such memories have a bright negative connotation.
6. Actions (compulsions). Sometimes such patients have an obsessive desire to perform a certain movement or move in a specific way. This desire is so strong that it is eliminated only after the person performs the corresponding action. For example, sometimes it can pull to count something, even the fingers on your hands. A person knows and understands that there are only ten of them, but still must perform an action. The most common compulsions are: licking lips, correcting hair or makeup, certain facial expressions, winking. They do not carry a logical load, that is, they are generally useless and play the role of an obsessive habit, which is very difficult to get rid of.

Ways to deal with obsessive-compulsive disorder

The choice of a specific method of treatment depends on the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Milder cases can be treated on an outpatient basis. Regular medication supportive therapy or occasional sessions with a psychologist can help a person cope with the symptoms of the disease and lead a normal life without obsessions. In severe cases, hospitalization and inpatient treatment are required. It is very important not to start the disease and start therapy in a timely manner.

Medical treatment

The following groups of drugs are most often used:

• . Often intrusive thoughts and memories of unpleasant events can cause a depressive mood. A person quickly becomes discouraged and disappointed in everything. Constant experiences, emotional and nervous tension cause changes in the affective background. People can withdraw into themselves, delve into their own thoughts and problems. That is why the depressive reaction is a very common symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Among all generations of antidepressants, in this case, the advantage is given to the third. The dosage is selected individually by the attending physician, who takes into account all the symptoms, as well as the constitutional features of the patient.
• Anxiolytics. This group of drugs is also known as tranquilizers or mood stabilizers. The main action of anxiolytics is anti-anxiety. Obsessive thoughts, phobias, memories easily disturb the inner peace of a person, prevent him from finding a balance in his mood, therefore, in the composition complex therapy neurosis, such drugs are used. Anxiety and restlessness arising from obsessive-compulsive disorder are stopped with the help of Diazepam, Clonazepam. Salts of valproic acid are also used. The choice of a specific drug is carried out by the doctor based on the symptoms present and the medications that the patient takes along with anxiolytics.
• Antipsychotics. They represent one of the broadest groups of psychotropic drugs. Each drug differs in features of the impact on the human psyche, therapeutic effects, as well as dosage. That is why the choice of a suitable antipsychotic should be carried out by a qualified doctor. The most commonly used subgroup of atypical antipsychotics. They are suitable for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder that has progressed into chronic form. Most often, among all representatives of this subgroup, Quetiapine is used.

Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy

The basis of this method of treatment is the analysis of behavior, which determines the presence of various kinds of obsessions. Before starting work with each patient, it is most important to limit the scope of the problem that needs to be solved. The specialist tries to logically discuss the existing obsessions with the patient, to develop optimal behavior patterns that should be implemented next time.

Also, as a result of cognitive-behavioral therapy, special attitudes are formulated that help to respond and act correctly the next time symptoms occur. The maximum effectiveness of the sessions of such psychotherapy is possible only with the high-quality joint work of the specialist and the patient.

Stop Thought Method

This method consists of 5 consecutive steps:

1. Lists. As with cognitive behavioral therapy, it is also important for this method to make a detailed list of obsessions that need to be eliminated. Before you get started, you need to know what you're dealing with.
2. Switching. In the second step, a person is necessarily taught to find pleasant thoughts and memories. When various kinds of obsessions occur, it is necessary to switch to one of these positive waves. It is advisable to remember or think about something carefree, joyful and cheerful.
3. Team building. The word “stop” is included in the setting. One must learn to pronounce it every time obsessions arise in order to stop them. At the same time, at this step, you need to do it out loud.
4. Team pinning. Step 4 of this technique for getting rid of obsessions is based on the mental pronunciation of the word "stop" in order to stop the oncoming wave of obsessions.
5. revision. Step 5 is the most serious and difficult. Here a person must learn to identify the positive aspects of his obsessions and fix his attention on them. For example, excessive anxiety about an open door - but a person always approaches this responsibly and, in fact, will never leave it open.