/24-7PressRelease/ - Orlando, FL, August 27, 2008 - Over 6.6 million people (one out of every 40 people) suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCS). This disorder often begins at times of emotional stress, major life transitions, health problems, and events representing new levels of responsibility. OCD is a very time-consuming disorder and, according to the DSM-IV, may preoccupy a person for an hour or more a day.
A diagnosis of OCD is recognized by the following DSM-IV criteria.
Obsessions:
1. Persistent thoughts and images that creates anxiety and/or distress
2. These images and thoughts are recognized as irrational and go beyond worries normally experienced on a day to day basis
3. Some attempt is then made to neutralize these impulses, images, and thoughts with some other action, behaviors, or thoughts.
Compulsions:
1. Repetitive behaviors (checking doors, hand washing) or mental acts like counting that are in response to the person's obsessions.
2. These acts and behaviors are performed to reduce their anxiety and to regain control over some perceived event or situation.
The Most Common Symptoms of OCD:
1. Hand washing
2. Cleaning compulsions
3. Checking compulsions
Other symptoms:
4. Compulsive counting
5. Hoarding, saving and collecting compulsions
6. Need for constant reassurance
7. Need for symmetry
8. Unwanted sexual and/or aggressive thoughts
9. Ordering rituals
10. Contamination obsessions
If you have ever watched the television show "Monk", you are aware that many people experience several symptoms. For example, Monk frustrates the people around him by his extreme fear of contamination and his need for symmetry. His OCD absorbs large amounts of his energy and time on a daily basis. When watching the show, it is clearly evident the distress and discomfort these thoughts cause him and the powerful urges he feels to neutralize them. Monk does provide a good view of the struggles people with OCD have dealing with activities of daily life.
Shame prevents many people from receiving the help they need. Frequently there are newspaper stories commenting on people with OCD who have successful hid their illness from others for years. They have felt hopeless; however, cognitive-behavioral treatment has been a very successful therapy is changing the faulty beliefs specific to OCD.
Evelyn Wenzel LCSW, CAP is a cognitive behavioral therapist working at Total Life Counseling Center. To contact her, call (407) 248-0030.
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About the Author: Evelyn Wenzel,MSW,LCSW,CAP enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in PTSD, Depression,Addictions, Anxiety, self-injurious behavior, and sexual abuse. She has a diverse background in counseling, which includes working in a hospital setting, drug rehab, school counseling, home health counseling, and private practice. Evelyn has spoken on a variety of topics all over the state. She has spoken at the National Association of Social Workers, Christian school regional conferences, School Social Work National Conference, and school in-services. Some of the topics she has spoken on include: Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescents, Sexual Abuse, Mandated Reporting, Depression, Anxiety, and Eating Disorders. Access more complimentary counseling and coaching resources from The Total Life Counseling Center (407.248.0030) by visiting their extensive posting of blogs and special reports at http://www.totallifecounseling.com
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