Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness consisting of high anxiety, repetitive behaviours, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Symptoms of OCD can develop following Traumatic Brain Injury.

• What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
• What causes Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
• What are the symptoms of OCD?
• What treatments are available for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

What it Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of Anxiety Disorder. It involves two categories of symptoms; obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are repetitive and intrusive thoughts, feelings or ideas that are unwanted and cause high anxiety ^[1]. Compulsions are repetitive actions that may be seen as behaviours or rituals. With OCD it is often felt that there will be a negative consequence if the behaviour or ritual it not completed ^[1]. The compulsions may put the obsessions to ease temporarily. However these can become very upsetting for the person performing them and those around them, time consuming, and interfere with daily life.

What Causes Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

There are many theories on what causes Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Some of these include genetics, chemical imbalance and structural abnormalities in the brain. Research has indicated that a Traumatic Brain Injury could be one cause in sufferers. It is suggested that damage or change to circuits in the brain that underlie OCD may be affected by Traumatic Brain Injury and when coupled with high stress may contributed to its development. Following a Traumatic Brain Injury the areas of that brain that check the environment for dangers may become highly reactive, contributing to checking or searching behaviours ^[2].

What are the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

A person can have multiple obsessions and compulsions that can interfere with daily life.

Obsessive	Compulsions	Feelings and emotions
Thoughts	Washing	Stressed or anxious
Images	Cleaning	Annoyed or frustrated
Impulses associated with symmetry and orderliness	Checking	Down or depressed
Illness and religious issues	Hoarding	Sense of blame
Fear of contamination	Touching	Sense of shame- trying to hide OCD from people
Fears of harm to self or others	Counting
	Praying
	Repeating routine activities
	Repeating actions

What treatments are available for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Treatment can help people reduce or eliminate obsessions and compulsions associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The most affective treatments currently are medication, cognitive behaviour therapy, and community support and recovery programs. To produce the best outcomes please seek an experienced and skilled clinician who will provide support, education and even a combination of treatments for the best outcome. Treatment may be sought from a Clinical Psychologist or Psychiatrist.

Medication: Certain drugs help the brain to restore the usual chemical balance and help to assist with the control of obsessions and compulsions. Consult your GP for more information.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Depending on a person’s level of cognitive impairment, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is an effective treatment for OCD. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy assists with changing irrational beliefs and thought patterns and assists the person to find alternative coping methods.

A person assessed as having a mental health problem can now be referred by a GP to a registered psychologist under a Mental Health Care Plan. This means a person can receive a rebate on the cost of psychological treatment by a psychologist. To be considered for this scheme you need to be referred by your GP, a psychiatrist or a paediatrician. You may need to book a longer session with a GP, as they will need to complete a detailed mental health assessment prior to considering a referral.

Community support and recovery programs: They provide an environment for people experiencing OCD and their families to give and receive support. They provide acceptance and understanding, along with self-help strategies. Call your state Anxiety Disorder Association for information on support groups.

Other strategies that may help include:

• Writing in a journal
• Exercise to use up excess energy
• Play video games to distract yourself until the anxiety passes
• Try relaxation techniques, such as breathing techniques or visualization.
• Cry and express your sadness of frustrations
• Talk to someone either a family member, health professional or help line.

Give yourself time

Symptoms of Obsessive compulsive disorder take some time to reduce or eliminate.
It is common to feel like you are getting nowhere fast so keep a diary of your accomplishments, thoughts and feeling so you can reflect back on your accomplishments.

Further Information & References

Lifeline 13 11 14

[1] Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- Reach out!
http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd

[2] Elbaum, J. (2007). Counseling Individuals Post Acquired Brain Injury. In J. Elbaum & Benson, D. M (Ed.), Acquired Brain Injury: An Integrative Neuro - Rehabilitation Approach (pp. 259-274). New York, NY: Springer Science + Media, LLC.

OCD-National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- Anxiety recovery centre- http://www.arcvic.com.au/disorders/ocd.html
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)-Anxiety Treatment Australia http://www.anxietyaustralia.com.au/anxiety_disorders/ocd.shtml
Obsessive compulsive disorder secondary to head injury http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/yjcfm/article/PIIS1353113102905614/abstract