Can OCD cause depression?
I don’t have OCD or know anyone personally with this ailment but I can imagine how distressing it can be. OCD can be quite isolating to deal with. It may also cause the sufferer to have immense shame and anxiety as a result of low esteem.Depression itself is one of the commonest forms of mental illnesses. It is often co-morbid with other mental illness which further complicates both the primary illness and depression. There is no unique set criteria for depression. Depression experienced by a person with bipolar disorder can be markedly different from how it manifests in someone with addictions or someone with narcissistic personality disorder.Two, both OCD and depression appear to involve alterations in the function of the serotonin system. Likewise, both OCD and depression seem to involve changes in brain regions related to the processing of emotional experiences. As well, similar patterns of thinking that focus attention on negative aspects of a person’s experience may also be present in both illnesses.[1]SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) which are traditionally used as anti-depressants are also effective for OCD (in higher doses).Hope this helps.A2AFootnotes[1] The Link Between OCD and Depression
Is there any treatment for hypochondria?
i just found out recently that i have hypochondria. and its really bad. anytime I hear about someone got a disease on TV or Internet i think i might get it. and then i go and check symptoms for it. and i also need a doctor constant reassurances that i don't have the disease that i think i have at the time.also its like every couple weeks or i get over the fear of having that disease And i start to fear of getting another disease.is there any cure for this? is it also true that hypochondria is connected to OCD?
I have a parent who has severe OCD & depression. They refuse any medication or therapy. It kills me to see them suffer. What should I do?
Mental illnesses are treated as a taboo in most of the societies, so probably the parent is uncomfortable with the idea of consulting a psychiatric. The only way that you can make him or her see light is to talk, talk and talk in a compassionate and empathetic manner and bring them around the corner. One has to be very very patient with such people for their brains are highly sensitive and if you try pushing around or are rough then the desired results are in negative. Assure that none of your relatives, friends would be told that he or she is seeking such medical help. That goes a long way because the person is kind of relieved that his problem is not on public radar.This is because people see a person with a completely different manner if they come to know that someone suffers from a mental illness.You must make them realise that their well being is of utmost importance to you and seeing them suffer is causing great misery to you as well.Also read somewhere recently that if the close family members of such patients behave exactly like them like constantly washing hands infront of such OCD patients, they might find the act repulsive and hence their mind just act to give up or reduce the OCD. But am not sure how much this cognitive therapy actually works, you must please take guidance from a psychiatrist before doing anything like this.Don't lose hope, just keep trying and maybe one day the person is able to understand. Explain to him or her that they can visit the doctor once and if they are not happy you will think of some other way out. And if tbe patient agrees then tell the psychiatrist beforehand by visiting him earlier that its a reluctant patient that you are bringing. These people know how to handle and deal with such cases.Lastly all the best. If you succeed you will be actually helping a very distressed and sad person who needs help but is unable to seek one because of ignorance, or fear.
Depression, anxiety and OCD...any help please ?
Well, if youre depressed then that must mean life isnt what it used to be. So what you should do is, try to get your life back and do things that you believe would be fun for you. I know things seem weird now but all you have to do is get out there and make things the best for yourself because the only person who can make your life fun and enjoyable is you. So sit down and think of something right now that would make you happy and do it. As time moves along, try to find more and more things. All in time, youll be fine. I know exactly how you feel about HIV. I used to think that Id get HIV/AIDS from walking around outside barefoot. Especially if I stepped on glass or a spot that looked like it couldve been someones dried up blood. And just last year when I was seventeen, I used to think that I would end up getting herpes from almost everything. We are just overreacting, thats all. When you feel like youre "about to get HIV" because of something irrational, just calm down and tell yourself that you arent getting the disease because you can only get it from unprotected sex, sharing needles, etc. You dont have OCD, its just a phase that hopefully you will outgrow soon, like I did. I dont know what you should do about the meds. I mean, if you can control yourself and your problem is getting worse, then go for it. But if you think that you can handle everything without it and get get control of yourself, then you dont need it. All you really need is someone to talk to. Go back to your doctor just to talk some more and see what happens. Good luck.
What are the risks of leaving OCD UNTREATED?
you get hyper OCD?? Kidding.. actually you should check this: Complications of OCD include anxiety (see also generalized anxiety disorder) with panic symptoms (see panic disorder), depression, and suicidal thoughts. Roughly 80% of people who suffer from OCD experience depression. These people typically have a hard time maintaining relationships, do not marry as often as others, and have occupational and school problems. Though suicidal obsessions are common in OCD, less than 1% of people with OCD commit suicide. In fact, people with OCD rarely become completely incapacitated. OCD is associated with other disorders that often involve excessive attention to the body and distorted perceptions of it. About 13% of people with OCD suffer from eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Slightly more, about 15%, suffer from trichotillomania, which is the irresistible urge to pull out one's own scalp, facial, or body hair. Between 10% and 15% experience Tourette's syndrome, which causes involuntary muscle movements and tics, and repetitive uncontrollable speech that is often disruptive and profane. Tics are apparent in some people, especially during childhood, before OCD is diagnosed. Although its prevalence is not known, some people are affected by body dysmorphic disorder, in which they fear a certain body part is abnormal or misshapen, regardless of what others tell them.
How can I get help for OCD if my parents think I'm overreacting? I have desperately tried asking them to get me help but they keep on blowing it off and I cannot take it any more.
Your parents may not believe you have a problem. There are ways work with OCD that are self-directed. Pick up a book on Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) as a treatment for Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. CBT is a useful tool that people can learn to do one their own. What this type of therapy does is teach you to reframe your thoughts and gain control over their intrusions.There are lots of books to teach CBT to laypeople but here is a book I found specifically addressing OCD on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulne...
Should I tell people that I am living with OCD to get sympathy?
OCD is a terrible mental state and you need to get yourself out of it. It is bad for you- if you have OCD but it is your family members and spouse who are really affected directly and their lives must be so miserable because you may be not willing- firstly, to admit that you have OCD- to them, and even to yourself.Please seek treatment from a psychiatrist. Medication and behavioural therapy is what is needed. It is long term treatment and to ease your own life and of those around you- you must agree and follow up. OCD shackles your mind and stops all mental growth. I hope you realize it. Its not anything to be flaunted for symapthy.Why do you want sympathy?? From people? It is not needed- it is like begging for attention/ not owning up that you are responsible for the state you are in.There are BBC documentaries on youtube on OCD. It is sad to see the state to which people can go when they have OCD. Search on youtube- watch them, judge your status and go for treatment which I hope will help you.Hope it helps.