However, a favorite quotation of mine dictates that even the most normal person can have the greatest chance to become mentally ill. ” A very thin line that separates sanity from insanity” is per se the evidence that would make us analyze in life.
We might just don’t even know that simple repetitive thoughts or acts we do are the extent measures of how normal we are. One of these simplest yet uncontrollable repetitive ideas, feelings, behaviors and impulses we should always be aware is a mental problem called Obsessive Compulsive Phobia.
WHAT IS OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE PHOBIA?
From the above
OBSESSION AND COMPULSION DEFINED
Well, this all does makes sense and it is a ritual that you can never escape. Do not be confused enough with the two words “obsession” and “compulsion” since these are interrelated. Obsession is a recurring and distressing thoughts, fears, or images that people cannot control and compulsion is the anxiety that would force you to perform such certain rituals or routines.
OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE PHOBIA AND OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
When your phobia certainly progresses into a severe anxiety and fear of anything and if it bothers your activties of daily living, then that makes your OC personality gets worsen. The condition you might be suffering may no longer be called Obsessive compulsive Phobia . It might be Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and it is a disorder requiring prompt treatment in many mental hospitals.
OC GROUPS
Take a read at the following routines or symptoms that a person with OC Phobia have and rate within yourself which symptoms do you belong. Note that this grouping of symptoms is based from my observation to those people who says and feels that they have Obsessive Compulsive Phobia. Others have only one category of symptom while some have two or more.
1. Counters- Counting every step, every stairs, tiles, ceilings and everything that distracts you. Sometimes, this symptom is often referred to as Arithomomania and this is an interference with your life that cannot be controlled.
2. Checkers- Checking everything if it is on the right place and on the right time is also a manifestation of OC Phobia. This symptom might not involve a dysfunction within a person’s memory but always re checking for the same thing is a stressing moment for the checkers.
3. Cleaners and washers- These OC Phobic persons always have the fear to get dirt on their body. They might take a shower many times in a day and even do continuous and frequent washing of hands. In most cases, this is a symptom that worsens OC Phobia.
4. Organizers- Everything in its place shall be well organized, arranged systematically, arranged and separated according to color, and shall be well arranged in order. These are those organizers whose fear surrounds more on the beautification of the environment and surroundings.
5. Finishers- This is a symptom where every task shall be finished first before proceeding to any tasks. These can be common among children especially when you noticed that they
6. Collectors- Collecting something with no apparent value and reasons.
WHAT'S YOURS?
In every moment you are dealing with your life, it is a bet that you have at least one of those symptoms. We can guarantee that having an OC Phobia is just as normal as a headache but remember that once your anxiety severely attacks you, then it is a time to consult your healthcare provider. OC Phobia can be treated with a chance of controlling but OC Disorder does not.
WHEN TO CONSULT A MENTAL HEALTH PHYSICIAN:
1. If the ritual failed and it made the person super stressed.E.g. A person who thinks that his hands are not that 100% clean so he frequently washes his/her hands until it becomes dry and until the hands get wounded.
2. When the specific fear or anxiety worsens and it affects your activities of daily living. E.g. A person who keeps on organizing and classifying her collection of books in the best way that she thinks. If she does this for a day and doesn't give importance to her basic needs, then it really affects her normal lifestyle pattern.
3. When there is something irrational in your fears.
MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
- Anti- depressants are given:
· Citalopram (Celexa)
· Fluoxetine (Prozac)
· Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
· Paroxetine (Paxil)
· Sertraline (Zoloft)
SAMPLE NURSING BOARD EXAM QUESTION WITH RATIONALE
Johny, a first-timer nurse assigned in the pyschiatric ward has been observing the behaviors of his patients with different diagnosis. Which of the following patients may nurse Johnny suspect as a behavior manifesting Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
A. Patient A who is preoccupied with food and has suicidal thoughts.
B. Patient B who performs frequent and repetitive counting of letters printed in his favorite book.
C. Patient C who is highly distractible and unable to focus.
D. Patient D who has thoughts of idealizing other patients in the ward with recurrent suicidal thoughts.
ANSWER: B- The key word in the option is 'frequent' and 'repetitive.' These characterizes obsession and compulsion in which the patient is already performing a ritual of his own. Option A is a behavior manifested by Anorexic patients (webmd.com). Patient C is suffering from Bipolar Disorder (helpguide.org) and Patient D exhibits characteristics found in Borderline Personality Disorder (psychcentral.com)
NEWS
A group of researchers from Binghamton University and State University of New York have recently conducted a study about the relationship of sleep and OC behaviour. They have found out that those who sleep late have lesser control over obssessive thoughts than those who sleep early.
