Ocd

[daviban]

<p>A bone lesion can be anything from a cyst to a tumor - benign or malignant. We go to the orthopedic doc tomorrow who will most likely order an MRI. The worry and waiting are killing me.</p>

[languagegirl]

<p>Daviban:
PM’ed you</p>

[languagegirl]

<p>Quick question: Is OCD generally progressive (gets worse over time) or regressive (gets better over time). I’ve heard/read both and figured one of you might be able to clear this up for me. Thanks.</p>

[ADad]

<p>Nice to hear from you! :)</p>

<p>Your timing is good. On Monday I received Padma de Silva and Stanley Rachman, “Obesessive-Compulsive Disorder: The Facts” (Second edition), (Oxford University Press, 1998) (141 pages) through inter-library loan. (There is also a Third Edition, published in 2004, which my library could not find it in an in-state library–but see link below). </p>

<p>I am just on the second chapter, but in response to your question I’ve looked through the rest of the book. Here is what I found (page 57):</p>

<p>

Course of the disorder</p>

<p>In roughly half of all cases, the problems begin and develop gradually. Among those with an acute onset, there is a preponderance of washers and cleaners over checkers. Generally, the course of the disorder shows some fluctuation. There may be periods when the problem is clearly present and active, followed by relatively good periods. These relatively good periods are, however, not fully symptom-free in most cases. In some cases, perhaps about half, there is a steady worsening of the disorder. We have already noted (see pages 23-24) that the problems get worse with depression. Also, when the person is under stress, the chances of obsessions and compulsions reappearing, or getting worse, are increased.

</p>

<p>And from pages 23-24:</p>

<p>

Depression</p>

<p>There is a clear relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. This can take several forms. First, some people develop obsessions when they become depressed; in such cases, the obsessions are are essentially secondary to the depression, and usually clear up when the depression lifts. It has been observed that, among obsessions developing in the context of a depressive illness, about half have a content of aggression of a homicidal or suicidal nature, whereas among obsessive-compulsive patients such content is found much less often. Secondly, many obsessive-compulsive patients tend to have a past history of depression. Thirdly, some of these patients become depressed subsequent to their disorder, and may have episodes of depression. When depressed, the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder tend to get worse. Research has also shown that if the patient is very depressed he may not respond well to the standard behavioural treatment of the obsessive-compulsive disorder. In such cases, the depression needs to be treated before improvement can be expected in the obsessive-compulsive symptoms.</p>

<p>In view of the relationship between the two disorders a word is necessary about the features of depression. The major features are: seriously depressed mood; loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities; disturbance of appetite or sleep; severe slowing or agitation; feelings of worthlessness or extreme guilt; extreme pessimism; and suicidal ideas.

</p>

<p>This book looks, upon paging through the rest of it, to be systematic and thorough, perhaps it would be of use to you.</p>

<p>Wow, I just double-checked at amazon and there are many of the third editions available used for as low as $3.35 plus shipping, why didn’t I see that earlier?! You can see the table of contents from the Second Edition, an excerpt, comments, etc. at:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Facts-Padmal-Silva/dp/0198520824/ref=sr_1_5/102-8340530-7763323?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174480722&sr=8-5[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Facts-Padmal-Silva/dp/0198520824/ref=sr_1_5/102-8340530-7763323?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174480722&sr=8-5&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[Hanna]

<p>Where did you read that OCD is generally regressive? As the book notes, it’s not unusual to experience fluctuations in severity, but it is quite unusual for the problem to just go away by itself, and it is quite common for the disease to worsen steadily. It is far easier to treat if treatment begins earlier rather than after it becomes severe and the patterns become more deeply ingrained.</p>

[languagegirl]

<p>Hanna,
Right in this thread, among other places:

recent studies show that the symptoms of OCD actually lessen as people get older, specifically those individuals who are highly functional.

.</p>

<p>ADad,
Thanks, I guess. Why did you get the book? I’m curious. Don’t think I’m depressed, though. I love my school and don’t feel dragged down, tired, etc. </p>

<p>Counseling center is still located in the health center, and I’m still not touching that with a ten foot pole…</p>

[ADad]

<p>languagegirl: I sent you a PM.</p>

[languagegirl]

<p>I talked to my (former) psych prof. recently, and it helped; she helped, a lot more than any of you (no offense!), certainly more than my parents, more than the internet, than anything else. Don’t want to get into the details, but that’s that.</p>

[ADad]

<p>Thank you very much for letting us know, languagegirl.</p>

<p>:)</p>

[berurah]

<p>{{{{{{{hugs, languagegirl}}}}}}} <em>SO</em> glad that you have found some good help! </p>

<p>~berurah</p>

[languagegirl]

<p>Oops! "she helped, a lot more than any of you (no offense!), " should have read “she helped a lot, more than any of you (no offense!).” That comma changes things. I don’t think she thinks well of me anymore, which is regretable, but I guess the damage is already done…</p>

[ADad]

<p>Thanks for your post.</p>

<p>If you ever wanted to, do you feel that you could approach her again?</p>

[languagegirl]

<p>Oh no, never! I can’t even get my head around how humilating that would be; frankly, I’d be content to never see said professor again. I still don’t have time to get treatment and don’t think it would be a good idea in light of the reaction to the VT tradegy (really don’t want to be lumped into the “troubled student” category), but somehow, hearing it from a professional helped. <em>shrug</em></p>

[ADad]

<p>It is humiliating for you when people feel free to offer their opinion that, or treat you as if, you need help.</p>

[ADad]

<p>languagegirl,</p>

<p>I sent you a PM.</p>

[risenphoenix]

<p>OP here!</p>

<p>As you can hopefully tell from my username, I’ve since “recovered” (yes, I believe in a past tense of recovery, YMMV), though I did sop without ever going to therapy, med, reading a book, etc. It was difficult, unorthodox, not remotely scientifically recommended, but in the end, it worked for me, if only for me. The psych professor I mentioned in these posts lent “unofficial, unprofessional advice” to me and became a dear friend for a while (we now no longer keep in touch). I don’t regret what I did, though I woujldn’t recommend it. It gave me my life back. </p>

<p>Just in case anyone was wondering.</p>

<p>Merry Christmas!</p>

[ADad]

<p>Congratulations!</p>

<p>I am so pleased and happy for you! :)</p>

<p>And thank you very much for sharing your news; thank you for bringing unexpected, extra joy to this day! </p>

<p>Merry Christmas!</p>