Obsessive Conditions

Obsessive disorders: causes, symptoms and treatment

Obsessive disorders are a mental disorder that is characterized by constantly recurring thoughts, memories, fears, desires, actions, etc. The patient understands their uselessness, but cannot get rid of them, which is why such conditions are called obsessive. Often they are extremely painful for the patient; he retains an awareness of their painfulness and a critical attitude towards them.

Obsessive states can be observed in a wide variety of neuropsychic disorders, but they are most fully and clearly expressed in one of the forms of neuroses - obsessive-compulsive neurosis. The appearance of the latter may be preceded by prolonged overwork, chronic poisoning (including alcohol), and various diseases; Moreover, obsessive-compulsive neurosis occurs more easily in people with an anxious-native character.

The immediate cause of the development of obsessive-compulsive neurosis is usually mental trauma. When the disease develops, a fixation occurs on some acutely experienced condition that is unusual for a given person (dizziness, palpitations, weakness, etc.), which sometimes arose by chance. This can cause an anxious expectation of a repetition of this kind of “attack” and extreme anxiety for one’s health.

The news of someone dying from a heart disease leads to the emergence of painful, obsessive fears for one's heart. Often, such an anxious expectation of a repetition of unpleasant sensations, accompanied by an obsessive fear of their development, interferes with the performance of ordinary, everyday duties, despite virtually complete physical health. Such patients begin to feel afraid of being alone for fear that they will not be able to get help in a timely manner if a “heart attack” occurs. Even in transport, they strive to travel accompanied by loved ones, although at the same time they usually hide their troubling fears from them.

Obsessive-compulsive neurosis can manifest itself as a fear of traveling on the subway, followed by fear of other types of transport; in the end, fear arises even at the mere thought of traveling in public transport. Sometimes patients develop obsessive actions (so-called rituals), which they perform in order to “protect” themselves from some imaginary danger. For example, a person may repeatedly check to see if doors are closed or if the gas in the kitchen stove is turned off, even if he knows that everything is fine.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder can vary, but most often include persistent intrusive thoughts or images that cause anxiety or worry, and compulsive actions or rituals that a person performs to relieve their anxiety. The patient may experience severe discomfort, suffer from anxiety and depression, and have problems in everyday life and in communicating with others.

Treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder may include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. Psychotherapy can help a patient understand the causes of his condition, recognize and change negative thoughts and behaviors, and learn to cope with anxiety and stress. Drug therapy may include drugs that affect the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as antidepressants or drugs to treat anxiety disorders. In some cases, psychoanalytic therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may also be helpful. It is important to seek help from a specialist to receive qualified help in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder.