Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder linked to fear, with patients developing obsessions and using compulsions to manage them. OCD is treatable with medication and therapy, and patients can develop coping skills to manage their condition. Clinicians must address patients’ fears during sessions to avoid the development of new obsessions and compulsions. Treatment may involve medication, therapy, and coping skills development.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and fear are closely linked. A form of anxiety disorder, OCD is usually associated with fear, and in some cases, people with the condition develop phobias. OCD is treatable with medication and therapy. Although people have this condition throughout their lives, they can manage it and deal with some of the more disruptive aspects of OCD.
People with OCD develop obsessions, often rooted in fear, and use coping methods known as compulsions or rituals to manage them. The link between OCD and fear begins with the development of obsessions. People may start to develop obsessions with things like making sure the stove is turned off before leaving the house or closing the windows before going to bed at night. These obsessions are based on the fear that something will happen, such as the house catching fire or someone breaking in at night.
Obsessions are managed by following a precise series of steps, or by enacting a compulsion or ritual. Sometimes the compulsions can become extremely complex, and in some people with OCD, they may not always be directly related to an obsession. They often become more complex over time. OCD and fear feed off each other, as the patient develops new obsessions and compulsions to manage them. People with OCD also fear the intrusive thoughts associated with the compulsions. These thoughts can be disturbing and violent and are impossible to control.
People with OCD can develop other anxiety disorders, as well as conditions such as depression. Recognizing the connection between OCD and fear, clinicians who treat patients with OCD are careful to address any fears patients express during sessions, even if they seem minor. Failing to discuss something can lead to the development of a new obsession and associated compulsions. However, it’s important to understand that OCD isn’t caused by fear. OCD and fear are linked because people with OCD are more susceptible to fears.
There are several ways to manage OCD. Some patients benefit from taking medications, including anti-anxiety medications to address OCD and fear. Antidepressants can also be used in treatment. Therapy with a mental health professional can be helpful, providing patients with the opportunity to overcome obsessions in a safe, controlled environment. Patients can develop a treatment plan to avoid or control the compulsions and work on coping skills to manage the obsessions. Patients with OCD may also develop symptoms such as panic attacks that may need to be managed with medications, breathing exercises and other treatment tools.
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