mental health

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Obsessive compulsive disorder – what are the signs of OCD?

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Symptoms

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) affects people differently, but usually causes a particular pattern of thoughts and behaviours.

This pattern has four main steps:

Obsession – where an unwanted, intrusive and often distressing thought, image or urge repeatedly enters your mind.

Anxiety – the obsession provokes a feeling of intense anxiety or distress.

Compulsion – repetitive behaviours or mental acts that you feel driven to perform as a result of the anxiety and distress caused by the obsession.

Temporary relief – the compulsive behaviour temporarily relieves the anxiety, but the obsession and anxiety soon returns, causing the cycle to begin again.

It’s possible to just have obsessive thoughts or just have compulsions, but most people with OCD will experience both.

Obsessive thoughts

Almost everyone has unpleasant or unwanted thoughts at some point, such as thinking they may have forgotten to lock the door of the house, or even sudden unwelcome violent or offensive mental images.

But if you have a persistent, unpleasant thought that dominates your thinking to the extent it interrupts other thoughts, you may have an obsession.

Some common obsessions that affect people with OCD include:

fear of deliberately harming yourself or others – for example, fear you may attack someone else, such as your children

fear of harming yourself or others by mistake – for example, fear you may set the house on fire by leaving the cooker on

fear of contamination by disease, infection or an unpleasant substance

a need for symmetry or orderliness – for example, you may feel the need to ensure all the labels on the tins in your cupboard face the same way

You may have obsessive thoughts of a violent or sexual nature that you find repulsive or frightening. But they’re just thoughts and having them doesn’t mean you’ll act on them.

Compulsive behaviour

Compulsions arise as a way of trying to reduce or prevent anxiety caused by the obsessive thought, although in reality this behaviour is either excessive or not realistically connected.

For example, a person who fears contamination with germs may wash their hands repeatedly, or someone with a fear of harming their family may have the urge to repeat an action multiple times to “neutralise” the thought.

Most people with OCD realise that such compulsive behaviour is irrational and makes no logical sense, but they can’t stop acting on it and feel they need to do it “just in case”.

Common types of compulsive behaviour in people with OCD include:

cleaning and hand washing

checking – such as checking doors are locked or that the gas is off

counting

ordering and arranging

hoarding

asking for reassurance

repeating words in their head

thinking “neutralising” thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts

avoiding places and situations that could trigger obsessive thoughts

Not all compulsive behaviours will be obvious to other people.

Getting help

It’s important to get help if you think you have OCD and it’s having a significant impact on your life.

If you think a friend or family member may have OCD, try talking to them about your concerns and suggest they seek help.

OCD is unlikely to get better on its own, but treatment and support is available to help you manage your symptoms and have a better quality of life.

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Time to Talk about Mental Health – Thursday is Time to Talk day – Find out about mental health myth here!

Time to Change, a growing movement of people changing how we all think and act about mental health. On Thursday 2nd Feb 2017 they are promoting Time to Talk. A day to help people open up about mental health!

Time to Talk have produce a list of mental myths which we reproduce below. But do you have any you would like to add? Please feel free to share in the comments section below!

Time to Talk about Mental Health

Time to Talk about Mental Health

There are lots of myths about mental health. Knowing a few facts can help us to challenge any negative thoughts and actions. 

Here are some to think about:

  • Myth: Mental health problems are very rare.
  • Fact: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.
  • Myth: People with mental illness aren’t able to work.
  • Fact: We probably all work with someone experiencing a mental health problem.
  • Myth: Young people just go through ups and downs as part of puberty, it’s nothing.
  • Fact: 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health problem.
  • Myth: People with mental health illnesses are usually violent and unpredictable.
  • Fact: People with a mental illness are more likely to be a victim of violence.
  • Myth: People with mental health problems don’t experience discrimination
  • Fact: 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination.
  • Myth: It’s easy for young people to talk to friends about their feelings.
  • Fact: Nearly three in four young people fear the reactions of friends when they talk about their mental health problems.

You can find the original on the Time to Talk website here.

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What’s The One Thing You Would Change About Christmas?

Christmas and mental health

Christmas and mental health

Three quarters of Brits are stressed about Christmas; ‘Unrealistic expectations’ and the resulting stress tops the list putting our health at risk

Natural stresses are always in the mix on family reunions around Christmas time but with the added pressure that we put on ourselves in trying to deliver everything to perfection, we can end up feeling worn out before the big day even arrives.

According to recent research by Bupa UK, surveying 2042 Brits, three-quarters of the nation finds Christmas stressful and a fifth wish they could better deal with the ‘unrealistic expectations’ they put on themselves with a quarter of women (24%) feeling the strain.

The culprit rests within us as the findings reveal that twice as many people say it is the pressure they put on themselves (20%) rather than the expectations from family and friends (9%), which they find to be the driving factor of their stresses on the big day.

Almost a third (29%) of the population are failing to address the issue as they do not consider their own wellbeing a priority during the festive period

A quarter of the nation (26%) loses the battle and admits feeling tired and worn out during the lead up to the big day.

So what are the stresses that we choose to carry at a time when we are meant to be jolly:

  • 37% worry about the financial stress of buying presents
  • 32% worry about buying the wrong presents
  • 19% feel stressed about juggling commitments and pressured situations with their family
  • 15% of people are worried about weight gain over Christmas

Joining us to chat more about the risks associated with letting our health drop to the bottom of our priority list is Bupa’s Clinical Director for Mental Health, Pablo Vandenabeele.

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Mental Illness, Addiction, and the Importance of Treatment

Mental health and addiction

Mental health and addiction

It is not uncommon for mental illness and addiction to occur simultaneously. Of course, this also means that treatment for both becomes even more critical. If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental illness, you may be at risk for addiction and vice versa. It is important that you understand both the risks of your illness and the effects of treatment, as well as where you should begin tackling your problems.  Here are a few things to know if you have either an addiction or a mental illness.

Many People with Mental Health Problems Experience Addiction

Though the Western world is becoming more accepting and aware of mental health concerns, many people still struggle with getting mental health care. Many people have limited education on mental health or simply cannot afford care. These difficulties too often result in self-medication.

Self-medication describes the actions of a person who has a physical or mental illness and attempts to treat their symptoms with addictive substances. Alcohol is a legal substance that is commonly used as a means to self-medicate.

As a depressant, alcohol makes mental processes slower, which may make thoughts or anxieties seem easier to cope with. For example, a person with anxiety may find that alcohol slows their racing thoughts and eliminates the persistent knot of worry in their stomachs. With alcohol’s social acceptability, it is all too easy to unintentionally become addicted.

Many People with Addictions will Develop Mental Health Problems

Addiction is considered a mental illness. However, it can also cause the symptoms of other common mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. Unlike other mental illnesses, a substance-induced mental illness can be treated and potentially resolved with sobriety and therapy. If the substance abuse continues, the symptoms of mental illness will only become worse as time goes on. Treatment should be found as soon as possible in order to prevent or reverse the effects of an addiction.

There Are Many Forms of Effective Treatment

While many treatments will focus on only a mental illness or only a mental addiction, there are also options that tackle both issues. Talk therapy, art therapy, and exercise therapy are all valid options that can work to smooth your road to recovery as well as handle any mental health concerns. You may also opt to treat each condition separately.

To find a good treatment plan, seek the advice of a counselor who specializes in addiction and mental health. They may be the ones to treat you or they may refer you to a successful program. The most important thing you can do is seek help as soon as you recognize a problem. The earlier your treatment, the easier it will be for life to return to normal.

Recognizing that you or a loved one may have an addiction or a mental illness can be a frightening revelation. However, you should remember that by catching the problem, treatment can begin to take place and things can only get better as you continue to work through treatment with a qualified provider. Whether the problem is self-medication or a substance abuse issue, there is a treatment out there that will make your better.

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Celebrities Who Have Lived With Mental Illness

 

Celebrities Who Have Lived With Mental Illness

Knowing about a few celebrities Who Have lived With mental health challenges is a great way to help not feel so alone.

So we thought we would share this infographic to make up the positivity this holiday season.

If you can suggest a few more names please do share in the comments section below!

 

Celebrities Who Have Lived With Mental Illness
 

From Visually.