We have all experienced surges of sudden fear or anxiety: “Did I turn off the iron? Did I lock the door? Sometimes, in a public place, having to hold a handle or a handrail, you try to wash and clean your hands as quickly as possible, never forgetting for a minute that they are “dirty”. Or, amazed by someone's sudden death from an illness, you listen for a while to your own state. This is normal, besides, such thoughts do not become permanent and interfere with life. In the case of
when the opposite happens, and you return to the same topic that scares you almost every day, moreover, you come up with a “ritual” that should help relieve tension from the fears that haunt you, we are talking about a mental disorder that is called obsessive-compulsive neurosis.
How to know if you have a mental disorder
Obsessive ideas (obsessions) and forced actions (compulsions) as a result of this are not in themselves a clear sign of illness. They periodically appear in he althy people.
To painfulManifestations of obsessions include in the case of involuntary occurrence, steadily recurring and causing suffering and anxiety. The patient, as a rule, is aware of the absurdity of the idea that has seized him, trying to get rid of it. But all his efforts are useless, and the idea comes back again and again. To lessen the likelihood that he is so disturbed, the patient comes up with defensive actions, repeating them with pedantic accuracy, and receives temporary relief as a result.
For example, a person is afraid of contracting an infection, and therefore, after each exit from thehome, he washes his hands for a long time, lathering them ten times. He definitely considers this, and if he goes astray, he starts washing again. Or, fearing that the door is closed badly, pulls the handle twelve times. But after walking a short distance, he again worries about whether it is closed.
Who is prone to obsessions
Obsessions are repetitive, fearful, states of short-term gratification after performing a (often absurd) "ritual". In addition, they are accompanied by fatigue, memory impairment, difficulty concentrating, irritability and mood swings.
Both adults and children are equally predisposed to this type of neurosis, regardless of gender, social status and nationality. It can lead to prolonged stress, overwork, conflict situations. But sometimes the syndrome also occurs as a result of brain injury or itsorganic damage. Childhood trauma, parental abuse, and connivance and overprotection can all lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How to treat neurosis
The main thing is that both the patients themselves and their relatives should not be deceived by the idea that this disorder can be overcome by an effort of will, by giving the order not to worry. In addition, the more actively you try to control this process, the deeper it will take root. Obsessions are treated only by specialists!
Treatment of neurosis in children and adults is a rather difficult process. It is necessary to take into account all the individual characteristics of the patient, choosing both psychotherapeutic and drug treatment. Only by understanding what caused this disease, how exactly it manifests itself, and having understood the characteristics of the character of this person, you can choose safe and effective methods of assistance.
