Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders in the world. Characterized by obsessive thoughts that produce anxiety and the compulsive actions taken to soothe the anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder affects 2 to 3 percent of the world's population. While researchers have long disagreed on whether obsessive compulsive disorder is primarily psychological or neurological, the consensus now seems to be leaning toward a neurological cause. This means that obsessive compulsive disorder can be treated with medication. If you think you may have OCD, learn talk to your doctor about it.
Instructions
1. Tell your doctor all of the symptoms you are experiencing that you think may be indicative of obsessive compulsive disorder. He'll need to have complete and accurate information in order to make an informed diagnosis.
2. Talk to your doctor about the severity of your symptoms, including how much they interfere with your daily life. The severity of the symptoms will have a large bearing on the treatment that is ultimately selected for you.
3. Ask your doctor to explain the long-term prospects for people who suffer from OCD and any potential side effects of the condition. It makes most people feel more secure and confident about dealing with a disorder if they know what to expect from it.
4. Go over treatment options with your doctor. You should find out about what medications are available to treat OCD as well as whether you are a good candidate for cognitive therapy. If cognitive therapy is selected, you should get your doctor to recommend the therapist he thinks is the best in the area.
5. Discuss the side effects of OCD medications with your doctor and how these side effects can be treated. Your doctor will compare the potential side effects versus the potential benefits of a treatment to determine the best medication for you, if any.
6. Get advice on help your family cope with your condition. If you have moderate to severe OCD, it may affect the people who live with you in various ways, such as causing everyone to be late to an event because you're caught up in performing your compulsions. There are ways to help your family deal with this, and your doctor may be able to recommend counseling, if necessary.
Tags: your doctor, compulsive disorder, side effects, with your, obsessive compulsive disorder, cognitive therapy, doctor about