Your Life Line

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is -  an anxiety disorder which can have a potentially devastating impact on all aspects of everyday life. Sufferers demonstrate bizarre behaviour, upsetting both to them and families, colleagues and friends. OCD is estimated to affect 2-3% of the general population. What are obsessions and compulsions? Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images that cause marked anxiety or distress. A sufferer recognises the obsessions are the products of his or her mind, and tries to suppress them or to neutralise them with some other thought or action. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts a sufferer feels driven to perform in response to an obsession in order to reduce distress or prevent a dreaded event or situation. They are either completely inappropriate or clearly excessive. What sort of compulsions do people suffer from? Common compulsions are hand washing, ordering, checking, praying, counting, and repeating words silently. What impact do obsessions and compulsions have on everyday life? Both obsessions and compulsions can be resisted only with great difficulty and usually only for a short period of time. They are very distressing, time consuming, and can significantly interfere with work and social patterns and personal relationships. The disorder is often accompanied by depression and anxiety, as well as by the misuse of substances such as alcohol, in an attempt to self-medicate. What causes OCD? There are several theories about the cause of OCD. Current thinking is that the condition is related to low levels of the brain chemical serotonin. It appears OCD may run in some families for genetic reasons. Some specialists believe OCD may afflict people who set unrealistically high personal standards for themselves. What is the outlook? Untreated, OCD is usually a lifelong illness with periodic worsening and improvement of symptoms. With treatment, obsessions and compulsions can be reduced or eliminated completely. What treatment is available? Treatment usually consists of behaviour therapy and/or medication. Behaviour therapy helps people reduce the anxiety associated with obsession and reduce or eliminate compulsions. Sufferers are usually encouraged to face feared situations without resorting to compulsive rituals. Other techniques to address specific obsessions or compulsions are sometimes used. The most successful medications are the serotonergic anti-depressants. Other anti-depressant, anti-psychotic and anti-anxiety drugs are also used. What can be done to maximise the chances of recovery? Talking therapies can help. Exercise regularly. Eat a well-balanced diet Sleep adequately. Join a self-help group. Educate yourself and your family about OCD Medication should be taken as prescribed. This page contains basic information. If you are concerned about your health, you should consult a doctor.

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You should TELL SOMEONE that you trust the most with your personal feelings. This may be  friend, teacher, family or  even write it down in a diary or journal expressing your feelings is very important. You may feel lonely and feel that nobody likes you or no-one is bothered about you. We have had a mother recently come into school who has an eating disorder and she advised us to try to tell someone how you feel so that you get the help you need she now has her own family a sucessful business and is now in control of her illness rather than her illness controlling her. Please tell your Parents/Guardian/Teacher or friend or go to the link on this website and speak to the samaritans. You should also go and see your GP as their could be a risk that you could suffer from other illnesses later if you are not giving your body and mind the things it needs now to grow and develop. 

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Eating disorder.

An extreme concern about your body shape, that you eat too little (Anorexia) or repeatedly binge and vomit (Bulimia). People with eating disorders are often obsessed with food in order to avoid huge emotional problems in here life.
Tell someone! The most important thing is to tell someone. If you do you will get help, but if you don’t you might go over the top and develop anorexia which causes heart attack. If you want to diet you simply need a balanced diet and exercise, no skipping meals or making your self sick it's simply bad for you and your health.

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Abuse is act of unnecessary behaviour that often occurs behind closed doors. It can be anything from verbal to violent abuse. The main advice to give is to not hide your troubles from anyone, tell someone about the abuse and show them your mark (if the abuse is violent) as proof as if you do not they abuse will carry on.

Abuse - What is it?

There are four main types of abuse:

• Neglect - "I come home to an empty house every day, there's nothing in the fridge. No one notices if I go to school or not." This is the most common form of abuse. It's when our basic needs - like food, clothing or warmth - aren't properly met.
• Physical abuse - "I wear long sleeves to cover the bruises and throw a sickie on swimming days so no one finds out." This is where someone physically hurts us, by physical punishments or any violent treatment.
  
• Emotional abuse - "My mum tells me I am a bitch. She blames me for my dad moving out." This could be a complete lack of love and attention, or too much spiteful and cruel attention.
  
• Sexual abuse - "I hate it when my uncle visits. I wish we had a lock on our bedroom door." This is when someone treats us in a sexual way or shows us sexual images, when we're under 16 years old, or when we don't want them to. Adults who sexually abuse, or want to sexually abuse, children are called paedophiles.
  

I think I'm being abused...

You must tell someone. Please. There are people who can help you. Talk to an adult you trust like a teacher or your GP.

You could tell a family member, a friend, one of your teachers and if that does not solve anything contact the police.

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Some times we all get low for lots of different reasons, it maybe that as it has been over time she may be depressed. Depression is an illness and can be treated 10's of thousands of people each year in britain suffer from depresion and it affects all ages. 

If your friend may have depression try to encourage her to see he doctor (her G.P.) they can give her medication she should also go to see a therapist or a counsellor to help help talk about what might be under the surface or bothering her. But what she need is her friends to stick by her and support her, make sure they know that you care about them and to talk to some one even you!

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Schizophrenia: - is a serious mental illness where people experience a psychotic episodes which means they loose touch with reality. However their reality is very real to them. It can be very frifghtening for them and their faimliy and friends. People who are diagnosed with schizophrenia may think that they are famous or have special powers. They may see, hear or feel things that don’t exist. Sufferers may also believe that people are controlling them or wanting to harm them. They can become paranoid. Their thoughts can become very muddled, and they may lose interest in everyday life.

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Depression – An emotional state characterised by feelings of gloom, unhappiness and inadequacy. People who are clinically depressed don’t just feel low – they may feel utterly miserable or hopeless, often for long periods. They ay feel they want to kill themselves.

Answer - Well stop right there go and talk to someone such as a doctor. He/she could give you medication. You could be depressed about someone in you family or a friend. Go and get HELP!

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