A Deeper Look into Obsessions
May 15, 2008 by HART 1-800-HART
Filed under STRESS
Everyone has obsessions, to a certain degree. Everyone has thought about a person, job or situation to the extent that it could be considered obsessive. That is not the root of the problem. Obsessive thoughts are natural, if and only if they are not a constant daily struggle, interfering with daily activities and the people around you.
Interesting OCD Facts
* It has been shown that approximately 2.3% of the population between the ages of 18 and 54 suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is in fact, more common than schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other panic disorders.
* Nearly 1/3 to 1/2 of all sufferers will find that their OCD is linked to childhood. In fact, although uncommon, some people will show signs as early as preschool. However, age six is when diagnosis is possible due to linguistic ability associated with their age.
* The average onset is between the ages of 6 - 15 for males and 20 - 29 for females, and is typically diagnosed before the age of 40.
* Less than ten percent of people suffering from OCD actually report it and get treatment
* OCD symptoms tend to get worse with high stress, illness and fatigue.
Misconceptions about OCD
* Quite possibly one of the biggest misunderstandings is that OCD is brought on because of a poor upbringing, or neglect. Fortunately, research has concluded that the brain of someone with OCD functions differently than someone without the disorder.
* One of the most painful misconceptions people with OCD deal with is the assumptions people make. Many people think for example, that OCD is being used as an excuse for not doing certain things. Or, worse yet, that the person is lazy or week. OCD is very real and they are no more able to control their behavior as someone with ADHD.
* People assume that having OCD is the same as being crazy. Although people with OCD may have some bizarre rituals or obsessions that are out of the ordinary, but that does not make them crazy. What is true about this is that people with OCD often struggle with the feeling that they are losing their mind, but the truth is that they are not.
* Another thing many people do not understand about OCD is that people with OCD have obsessions, but they are not obsessed. People with OCD do not do what they do to harm others. It is to make them content and happy. People often link OCD to movies like Fatal Attraction, when in fact, that movie has nothing to do with OCD but psychotic tendencies.
When it comes down to it, ritual behaviors and obsessions have to do with the person being afraid of something or the consequence of not doing something. To fully understand and especially to judge OCD behaviors, you have to educate yourself and furthermore, look at it in a larger context.
Documentary Type Show Looking For OCD Participants in Southern California
March 7, 2008 by HART 1-800-HART
Filed under STRESS
A new documentary type show for a major cable network that emphasized Entertainment, the Arts and Education is looking for people in S. California with OCD, anxiety, hoarding or extreme fears. We are doing a show in conjuncture with a well-established, world-famous OCD Center here in Los Angeles.
By offering these people free therapy (for 12 weeks and then follow up treatment) we hope to help them, and hopefully help others that will be watching our show.
Please have contact us at Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Is An Anxiety Disorder .. so, if you are interested and live in the area .. please contact Janey Smith at the email address above for more information.
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February 11, 2008 by HART 1-800-HART
Filed under STRESSIf you have been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, you may be wondering just what it is and where it came from. Obsessive compulsive disorder, otherwise known as OCD, is defined by the APA as “A mental disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions, repetitive, purposeful acts performed according to certain rules or in a ritualized manner.” Although the cause of OCD is technically unknown, obsessive compulsive disorder has been known to be onset by stress and is defined as an anxiety disorder. It is a condition that can affect anyone, no matter their age, sex or social status. In fact, according to recent studies, OCD is a leading cause of disability and affects approximately 5 million people just in the United States alone.
OCD, like other anxiety disorders such as bipolar disorder, is very complicated. There are numerous symptoms and not every person has all of the symptoms. Generally speaking, obsessive compulsive disorder manifests itself as the presence of persistent and even obsessive ideas, thoughts, and images or in extreme cases, impulses and irrational behaviors. People with OCD many times become isolated because their state of mind is apparent even without talking. It is not uncommon for people with OCD to be very depressed because they are at a constant war with themselves. They are forever repeating the same thoughts over and over in their head and when they are unable to stop thinking these thoughts; they spend all of their time trying to get their minds on something else. For this reason, people with OCD tendencies don’t always make the best of friends.
Preoccupy Yourself With Other Things
Where some people get into trouble is that they spend so much time trying to curb their obsessive thinking that they get into compulsive irrational behaviors, which takes their mind off the compulsive thoughts. Unfortunately, it is really a vicious cycle that never ends. It has been studied however, that people with OCD can benefit greatly from learning a new skill. Learning something new such as music, yoga, or anything that takes a lot of concentration, can greatly reduce or even temporarily eliminate the obsessive thought pattern. If you or someone you love suffers from OCD, the best thing you can do is keep their mind preoccupied on something meaningful or at the least productive.
Many people think that perfectionism is the same as OCD. Being a perfectionist can make you exhibit some of the same behaviors as someone with OCD, however when you are strictly a perfectionist, you can control your behavior. Wanting everything the best it can be is one thing, maximizing your potential is a great trait of someone who is defined as a perfectionist. However, people that suffer from OCD tendencies take perfectionism to a whole new level. Breaking down because something has been moved or touched by an outsider, numbering your socks or labeling them left and right is way over the top. These are not uncommon behaviors for people with OCD; it is however, not something a perfectionist would relate to.
» Post Ad Purchase: Intext LinkJust what is OCD?
December 16, 2007 by HART 1-800-HART
Filed under STRESSIf you have been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, you may be wondering just what it is and where it came from. Obsessive compulsive disorder, otherwise known as OCD, is defined by the APA as “A mental disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions, repetitive, purposeful acts performed according to certain rules or in a ritualized manner.”
Although the cause of OCD is technically unknown, obsessive compulsive disorder has been known to be onset by stress and is defined as an anxiety disorder. It is a condition that can affect anyone, no matter their age, sex or social status. In fact, according to recent studies, OCD is a leading cause of disability and affects approximately 5 million people just in the United States alone.
OCD, like other anxiety disorders such as bipolar disorder, is very complicated. There are numerous symptoms and not every person has all of the symptoms. Generally speaking, obsessive compulsive disorder manifests itself as the presence of persistent and even obsessive ideas, thoughts, and images or in extreme cases, impulses and irrational behaviors. People with OCD many times become isolated because their state of mind is apparent even without talking. It is not uncommon for people with OCD to be very depressed because they are at a constant war with themselves. They are forever repeating the same thoughts over and over in their head and when they are unable to stop thinking these thoughts; they spend all of their time trying to get their minds on something else. For this reason, people with OCD tendencies don’t always make the best of friends.
Where some people get into trouble is that they spend so much time trying to curb their obsessive thinking that they get into compulsive irrational behaviors, which takes their mind off the compulsive thoughts. Unfortunately, it is really a vicious cycle that never ends. It has been studied however, that people with OCD can benefit greatly from learning a new skill. Learning something new such as music, yoga, or anything that takes a lot of concentration, can greatly reduce or even temporarily eliminate the obsessive thought pattern. If you or someone you love suffers from OCD, the best thing you can do is keep their mind preoccupied on something meaningful or at the least productive.
Many people think that perfectionism is the same as OCD. Being a perfectionist can make you exhibit some of the same behaviors as someone with OCD, however when you are strictly a perfectionist, you can control your behavior. Wanting everything the best it can be is one thing, maximizing your potential is a great trait of someone who is defined as a perfectionist. However, people that suffer from OCD tendencies take perfectionism to a whole new level. Breaking down because something has been moved or touched by an outsider, numbering your socks or labeling them left and right is way over the top. These are not uncommon behaviors for people with OCD; it is however, not something a perfectionist would relate to.
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