Obsession

Obsession is an influence, notion or fixed idea, which persistently assails or vexes so as to discompose the mind; the uncontrollable desire to dwell on an idea or emotion, frequently involving an urge toward some form of action.

Obsession is a recurrent and persistent thought, impulse, or image experienced as intrusive and distressing. Recognized as being excessive and unreasonable even though it is the product of one's mind. This thought, impulse, or image cannot be expunged by logic or reasoning. Persistent, intrusive thoughts, ideas, impulses, or images that repeatedly enter a person's mind. Obsessions are seemingly beyond one's will, and awareness of their inappropriateness is of little or no help in controlling them

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric anxiety disorder most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or "rituals") which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.

Most people, from time to time, go back and double-check that the iron is unplugged or the door is locked before leaving the house. That’s normal, but when someone worries constantly that the door is unlocked and makes a ritual out of checking the lock 40 times before being able to get in the car, that’s an indication that the person’s thoughts and behaviors have risen to the degree of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Causes of Obsession

• Genetics: Links are still being studied, but the disorder does sometimes run in families, and identical twins have a 70 chance of sharing the disorder.
• Becoming a mother: A woman may sometimes develop Obsession or see a mild condition worsen after having a baby.
• Illness may intensify fears about health and cleanliness and increase the compulsive activities associated with those fears, and abuse may lead to obsessions about violence or danger.
• Major life changes: problems in work or school, changes in residence, relationship changes and other major life transitions can create new worries, fears and obsessions or stir up old feelings.

Treatment of Obsession

1. A type of behavioral therapy called exposure and response prevention is generally the first line of treatment for Obsession.  In this treatment, you are repeatedly exposed to the source of your obsession.
2. A cognitive component is often combined with the behavioral approach of exposure and response prevention. Cognitive therapy targets the Obsession sufferer’s catastrophic thoughts and exaggerated sense of responsibility.
3. Antidepressants that affect the neurotransmitter serotonin are the primary drugs used in the treatment of Obsession. Antidepressants that affect both norepinephrine and serotonin are also effective. Obsession medications can take 10 to 12 weeks to provide full symptom relief, so it’s important to give the drugs a full three month trial.
4. Individual therapy is the most common treatment and frequently involves response prevention and exposure. Response prevention therapy consists of keeping the person from acting on his/her obsessions and compulsions.
5. Electroconvulsive therapy is sometimes helpful in individuals with severe primary depression and secondary obsessions and Neurosurgery-Stereotactic limbic leukotomy (combining anterior cingulotomy and subcaudate tractotomy) and anterior.