Introduction to OCD.
So what exactly is OCD?
For starters we can situate OCD within the large context of Mental Disorders.
If we do this we see that OCD is 1 of the 5 Anxiety Disorders.
This is important since it distinguishes it in the DSM-IV from say: Personality Disorders such as OCPD.
To get a better understanding of OCD you ideally: Look into how the disorder functions, what it consists of but also how it affects people by reading their personal experiences with OCD.
Let's just start with what drives the OCD: Anxiety, Fear (Thus OCD being categorized as an Anxiety Disorder.). On to the building blocks of OCD. You have the many different types of OCD symptoms which can be subdivided in 2 groups: the Obsessions and the Compulsions. These will in most cases interact with each other, as in that the Obsession may trigger a Compulsion, which functions as a way to counter- act the Anxiety caused by the Obsession. This is sometimes referred to as the the OCD Cycle.
In order to really understand OCD you will have to at least read up on these things, otherwise you won't be able to make sense of some of the stories or other information that elaborates on these basics. Whether you have OCD yourself and are looking for more information or are wanting to understand it for someone else, you will do good going through OCD sites and Books on OCD and read all you can.
Information is a powerful tool in dealing with OCD.
If you already know about OCD, you could start looking into how you can find help, where you find this help and what the different types of treatments for OCD are.
Is as important to know what OCD is as to know how you can treat OCD.
Finally you may want to find support from others who are also affected by OCD, either by having OCD or having a loved- 1 who has OCD. Both groups will benefit from being able to rely on others when times are proving to be more difficult or to simply be able to relate and feel related to. This support can be found in different ways, both online as well (and hopefully) in your area.
In all you should look at information with hope, hope that with each month, week and day that passes people are looking for answers to OCD. In the meantime continue to inform yourself and find some of the answers for yourself.
