When obsessions become a mental disorder

We all experienced the influx of sudden fear or anxiety: "Did I turn off the iron? And have I locked the door? ". Sometimes, in a public place, having to grasp the handle or handrail, you try to wash, clean your hands as soon as possible, not forgetting for a moment that they are "dirty". Or, amazed at someone's sudden death from a disease, listen for a while to your own condition. This is normal, moreover, such thoughts do not become permanent and interfere with life. In the case, however, When the opposite happens, and you almost every day come back to the same frightening topic, moreover, you come up with a "ritual" that should help relieve tension from the fears that pursue you, it is already a mental disorder, which is called obsessive-compulsive neurosis.

How to understand that you have a mental disorder

Obtrusive ideas (obsessions) and the resulting actions (compulsions) are not themselves a clear sign of the disease. They periodically appear in healthy people.

To obsessive manifestations obsessions are attributed in the case of involuntary occurrence, steadily repeating and causing suffering and anxiety. The patient, as a rule, realizes the absurdity of the idea that has taken him away, trying to get rid of it. But all his efforts are useless, and the idea comes back again and again. To reduce the likelihood that he is so worried, the patient comes up with protective actions, repeating them with meticulous accuracy, and gets a temporary relief as a result.

For example, a person is afraid of contracting an infection and therefore, after every exit from the
At home, he washes his hands for a long time, soaping them ten times. This he necessarily believes, and if it fails, begins washing first. Or, fearful that the door is closed badly, twitches the handle twelve times. But, walking away, again worried about whether she is closed.

Who is susceptible to the syndrome of obsessions

Obsessions are constantly recurring, accompanied by a sense of fear, a state of short-term satisfaction after performing a "ritual" (often of an absurd nature). In addition, they are accompanied by fatigue, memory impairment, difficulty in concentration, irritability and mood swings.

Both adults and children are equally predisposed to this type of neurosis, regardless of gender, social status and nationality. It can lead to long-term stress, overwork, conflict situations. But sometimes the syndrome also arises as a result of brain trauma or its organic damage. Child mental trauma, cruelty on the part of parents, and connivance, and hyperope - all this can lead to the emergence of a neurosis of obsessive states.

How to treat a neurosis

The main thing is that the patient and his relatives should not be deluded by the thought that this disorder can be defeated by willful effort, giving the order not to worry. In addition, the more actively you try to control this process, the deeper it will take root. Obsessive ideas are treated only by specialists!

Treatment of neurosis in children and adults is a rather difficult process. It is necessary to take into account all the individual characteristics of the patient, choosing both psychotherapeutic and medicinal treatment. Only after understanding what caused this disease, how it manifests itself, and having understood the peculiarities of the character of this person, you can choose safe and effective methods of assistance.