An obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a medical term that may be used in reference to one of two types of anxiety disorders. Almost everyone suffers from anxieties and worries from time to time, but obsessive-compulsive disorders are, to some extent, abnormal cases of anxiety that require professional help and advice.
There are two main types of Obsessive-compulsive disorders namely, early-onset OCD and late-onset OCD. There are those who have different subtypes of Obsessive-compulsive disorders, but these are the two main types that are common to both children and adults.
People suffering from Obsessive-compulsive disorders often think repetitive thoughts and are always worried about their health and safety, so much so that their behaviors may look selfish and strange at times. Below are characteristics, causes, symptoms and treatments.
Early-onset OCD
Early-onset OCD most often occurs in children of both sexes, who have not reached puberty. However, male children are more likely to develop this type of Obsessive-compulsive disorder when compared to females.
Causes
Early-onset OCD is often caused by psychological dysfunctions; but that doesn’t mean patients are mentally challenged. Most of them can reason like everybody else. There are patients who may have a brain that’s functioning properly and in such cases, the early-onset OCD may result from lack of confidence and feelings of insecurity in terms of health and general wellbeing.
Symptoms
Children who suffer from Early-onset OCD may frequently wash their hands for fear they may harbor germs that could affect their health. They also avoid things that others handle as much as possible.
Treatment
Early-onset OCDs are best taken care of by qualified doctors who know the kind of drugs to use to boost levels of Seretonin, a neurotransmitter that’s located in the brain and can be stimulated to reduce thought patters that cause fear and anxieties in Obsessive-compulsive disorder patients.
Anti-depressants and nutritional supplements may also be used in the treatment process depending on the kind of symptoms patients have.
Late onset OCD
People who suffer from Early-onset OCDs may sometimes grow up with it, but there are people who also develop such anxieties and worries at a late age and are referred to as Late-onset OCD.
Most of the causes and symptoms of Early-onset OCD are common to the second type and treatment is also similar. Patients in this case, however, may be advised to undergo nutritional therapies in addition to other treatments.
It’s important to point out that this known types of obsessive-compulsive disorders are only different in terms of when they occur in patients and the severity of associated symptoms.
