Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder most characterized by intrusive, repetitive thoughts resulting in compulsive behaviors and mental acts that the person feels driven to perform, according to rules that must be applied rigidly, in order to reduce anxiety by preventing some dreaded event or by resolving a more nebulous sense of tension.
A research stated a connection-link symptoms of obsessive-compulsive rituals in childhood could be the risk of developing an obsessive-compulsive disorder at adults. The children in age 11 who showed signs of obsessive or compulsive behaviour were six time as likely than others to suffer from an obsessive-compulsive disorder in adulthood. Obsessive symptoms or ideas can be detailed like recurrent and undesired thoughts to harm others. Signs like need to constantly wash their hands, check up on small everyday tasks to prevent harm or repeatedly carrying out activities that seem meaningless can be seen as compulsive behaviour.
Obsessions are intrusive, irrational thoughts that keep popping up in a person’s mind, such as “my hands are dirty, I must wash them again.” Typical obsessions include fears of dirt, germs, contamination, and violent or aggressive impulses. Other obsessions include feeling responsible for others’ safety, or an irrational fear of hitting a pedestrian with a car. Additional obsessions can involve excessive religious feelings or intrusive sexual thoughts. The patient may need to confess frequently to a religious counselor or may fear acting out the strong sexual thoughts in a hostile way. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder may have an intense preoccupation with order and symmetry, or be unable to throw anything out.
Compulsions usually involve repetitive rituals such as excessive washing (especially handwashing or bathing), cleaning, checking and touching, counting, arranging or hoarding. As the person performs these acts, he may feel temporarily better, but there is no long-lasting sense of satisfaction or completion after the act is performed. Often, a person with obsessive-compulsive disorder believes that if the ritual is not performed, something dreadful will happen. While these compulsions may temporarily ease stress, short-term comfort is purchased at a heavy price—time spent repeating compulsive actions and a long-term interference with life.
The authors said, theses research can be generated to other populations due to the characteristics and incidences that are similar in other parts of the world. But there is no need to worry when the children showed these signs because these symptoms seemed very common among children at 8 to 10 and since it only reach 2% of adults with this disorder. Focussing on preventive measures for these chlidren might be the best way to be done.
This study remains us the main conclusions : that children who repeatedly manifest having obsessions and compulsions notably increase their risk of suffering from a disorder later in life (source: eurekalert.org, medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com). Just in case you might be interested in reading other updated medical news. Thank You.
