We all have those bothersome relatives. The pesky ones that make our life more difficult. OCD has annoying relatives too. Other disorders include obsessive compulsive symptoms such as intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors. These are often called OC spectrum disorders and include trichotillomania, monosymptomatic hypochondriasis, body dysmorphic disorder, and some eating disorders. I will discuss some of these disorders in the coming months. Other disorders are seen frequently in people with OCD. These are called comorbid disorders because they coexist with OCD. The most common comorbid disorder is depression.
Trichotillomania (TTM) is characterized by chronic, repetitive pulling of bodily hair. People with trichotillomania can have urges to pull hair from their scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, axillary, body, and pubic area. They experience increasing tension that is relieved by pulling out a hair. Hair pulling brings about feelings of pleasure, gratification and relief. Further research into the cause of TTM is needed, but it is thought to be related to abnormalities in brain function. Find out more about trichotillomania at http://www.trich.org/
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is another OC spectrum disorder. It is characterized by preoccupation with a minor bodily defect or imagined defect which is believed to be conspicuous to others. About 90% of people with BDD perform one or more repetitive and often time-consuming behaviors intended to examine, improve, or hide imagined defects. This can include mirror checking, grooming, shaving, washing, skin picking, weight lifting, and comparing self with others. Find out more about body dysmorphic disorder at http://www.butler.org/bdd.html
Trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder can both be treated with medication and cognitive behavior therapy. As with OCD, there is much hope for people with these disorders.
Depression is the most common disorder that coexists with OCD. Is it a separate disease, independent from OCD, or a secondary disease, caused by the OCD itself? Further research will help us answer that question. Treatment of depression is an important part of treating OCD. Suite101 has a wealth of information and links to help you learn more about depression.
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