How is OCD treated?

  Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a type of anxiety disorder, is a group of neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors. Although patients experience these thoughts or impulses as originating from themselves and try to resist them, they are always unable to control them.  The etiology of OCD is complex and inconclusive, but it is believed that it is mainly related to psychosocial, personality, genetic and neuroendocrine factors.  Many studies have shown that patients often suffer from adverse life events such as interpersonal tensions, marital trials, and frustration at school and work when they first develop OCD. Some patients with OCD have an obsessive-compulsive personality, which is characterized by excessive caution, an excessive sense of responsibility, and a desire for perfection in everything, resulting in inflexibility in dealing with adverse life events and difficulties in adaptation. The conflicts and anxieties experienced by the patient can only be expressed through obsessive-compulsive symptoms in the end.  In addition, numerous studies in recent years have found that there may be a genetic predisposition to the development of OCD, as well as neuro-endocrine dysfunction, resulting in imbalances in neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine, which do not perform their physiological functions properly.  History of previous psychiatric and physical illness: Normal development and denial of family history of psychiatric disorders. No history of substance abuse or alcohol consumption. Deny any history of physical illness.  Mental status examination: clear and cooperative, accurate orientation, age-appropriate appearance, short stature, neatly dressed, and good contact. During conversation, the hands were constantly twisted, the voice was soft and weak, the speech rate was normal, and the emotional response was consistent with the internal experience. The thoughts were coherent, and excessive attention to certain details appeared somewhat redundant. The content of the thoughts was compulsive, saying that “after touching something dirty, you can touch it back again ……”, knowing that this idea is irrational and absurd, but cannot control it, and feel painful and self-blame for it. No hallucinations or delusions were detected. There were no impulsive or negative words or actions, normal intellectual level, complete self-knowledge, and eagerness to seek treatment.  Laboratory tests and assessment: normal blood, urine, liver and kidney functions, and thyroid function.  According to the student’s condition, the relevant psychometric instruments were selected: SCL-90 assessment: SCL-90 obsessive-compulsive 3.5, anxiety 2.4. Diagnosis: Obsessive-compulsive perceptions, stating that “you can touch something dirty and then touch it back again ……” Obsessive suspicion: during Obsessive-compulsive behavior: After each hand wash, he still does not feel confident and checks his hands several times to make sure they are clean before he can do anything else. Constantly squeezing the pimples with your hands, and you have to squeeze out something to calm down.  Anti-compulsive consciousness: Knowing that repeated hand washing is unnecessary and uncontrollable because of such a fear of getting dirty.  The symptoms have seriously affected the patient’s life and study (2 weeks off from school), and he feels painful and resists, but is unable to resist. Self-awareness was total and requested treatment, combined with the results of his SCL-90 assessment with anxiety, consistent with the diagnosis of CCMD-3 obsessive-compulsive neurosis.  Treatment: 1. The treatment was based on the identification of the symptoms and the use of Chinese herbs to clear heat and detoxify the internal organs and channel stagnation to treat acne and bitterness of the mouth and tongue for 1 week.  Followed by 12 weeks of treatment with herbal medicines such as dredging liver and Qi, activating blood circulation and phlegm, and tranquilizing the mind.  2. Cognitive therapy is used to answer the physiopathology of acne and psychological counseling during puberty.  The company’s main goal is to provide a comprehensive range of products and services to the market. We analyze the root causes of the misconceptions associated with the concepts of “wild, dirty and bad” and change their bad perceptions.  4. Morita therapy is used to make the person recognize and accept the reality and let nature take its course. Suffering: The main cause of bitter brain is compulsive thinking and compulsive action. Medical: In fact, we all go through many habitual fixed actions and thinking every day without feeling distressed. Your distress is that you feel that it is not normal to do so, trying to find ways to get rid of but can not get rid of, this contradiction in thinking is the main reason for you to feel extremely confused. If you do not fight, then the trouble will be much less.  5, the use of behavioral therapy exposure and response inhibition (ERP) techniques. Expose him to the anxiety-triggering situation until the anxiety level drops, and gradually subside the compulsive behavior of washing his hands incessantly by negatively reinforcing the ritual action.  5. Starting in the third week of treatment: Sertraline (Vital Stop Tablets) 50 mg Qd orally in full dose for 20 weeks, gradually withdrawing the drug in decreasing doses for 20 weeks, for a total of 40 weeks.