Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be debilitating for some. Obsessions are recurrent and intrusive thoughts, which can occur with or without compulsions. These thoughts induce anxiety, discomfort, or distress regarding unlikely consequences (an example is contracting a disease or hurting someone) and are not simply typical worries about real-life problems (e.g. friends, school).
Common obsessions in children and teens include fear of contamination or disgust, fear of harm coming to oneself or others, often a family member or familiar people Aggressive, sexual and religious themes (or bad thoughts), a need for symmetry, or ague feelings of “not just being right” or incomplete.
Compulsions (or rituals) are repetitive behaviours (reassurance seeking, checking, handwashing) or mental acts (praying, counting) that the believe is serve a purpose to reducing or controlling the anxiety associated with obsessional thought or the “not just right” feeling. The aim is to prevent the feared outcome. Therefore, knowing and understanding the function of the fear is important.
Fear usually has two categories, harm avoidance and incompleteness. Incompleteness is more than an inner sense of imperfection; this is connected with the perception that intentions have been incompletely achieved. The action must feel complete or perfect otherwise there is distress or a feared consequence.
Understanding that there are some biological findings that can lead to OCD. This can be helpful. OCD we know runs in families, but having a family member with the condition is no guarantee that you will also have it. Environmental factors still play a major role, and it is the combined interaction of inherited and environmental influences that determines whether you will develop OCD at some point in your life.
There are treatments that have shown success such as, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy model, natural supplemental to support neurotransmitters. What is of importance is to not allow the obsessions and or the compulsions to control your life, seek supportive help in reducing symptoms and finding help in learning how to “Boss Back OCD.”
Have questions, ask me, info@mindhealthconnect.ca
Ref: https://www.verwellmind.com
Ref: treating OCD in Children and Adolescents A Cognitive-Behavioural Approach, Martin E. Franklin, Jennifer B Freeman, John S. March