Uncategorized – Ovihams

07/Mar/2025

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining wellness has become a challenge. Many individuals focus solely on physical health while neglecting mental and emotional well-being. Wellness is a holistic concept that encompasses the balance of mind, body, and soul. At OVIHAMS, a leading center for holistic healthcare, wellness is promoted through homeopathy, psychology, and natural healing techniques. This blog explores the importance of wellness and how integrating different healing practices can help achieve a balanced life.

Understanding Wellness: More Than Just Physical Health Wellness is not merely the absence of disease but a state of complete well-being. It includes:

Physical Wellness – Maintaining a healthy body through proper nutrition, regular exercise, and preventive care.
Mental Wellness – Managing stress, anxiety, and emotions to maintain psychological balance.
Emotional Wellness – Developing a positive mindset, self-awareness, and coping mechanisms for emotional challenges.
Spiritual Wellness – Finding purpose, inner peace, and connection with oneself and the universe.
Social Wellness – Building strong relationships and fostering positive social interactions.

The Role of Homeopathy in Wellness Homeopathy is a natural and holistic healing method that strengthens the body’s defense system. At OVIHAMS, homeopathy is used to treat various ailments by addressing the root cause rather than just the symptoms. Key benefits of homeopathy for wellness include:

Boosting Immunity – Helps the body fight infections naturally.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety – Balances emotions and improves mental clarity.
Enhancing Energy Levels – Restores vitality and combats fatigue.
Promoting Holistic Healing – Treats the body and mind as a unified system.

The Importance of Mental Health in Wellness Mental health plays a crucial role in overall wellness. Stress, anxiety, and depression can negatively impact physical health. The ‘Mind the MIND’ unit at OVIHAMS offers expert psychological care, including psychotherapy and counseling, to enhance mental well-being. Benefits of seeking psychological support include:

Improved Emotional Resilience – Helps in managing stress effectively.
Better Relationships – Enhances communication and social skills.
Greater Self-Awareness – Encourages personal growth and self-reflection.
Effective Coping Strategies – Provides tools to navigate life’s challenges.

Practical Steps to Achieve Wellness

Adopt a Healthy Diet – Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients to fuel the body and mind.
Exercise Regularly – Engage in physical activities like yoga, walking, or strength training.
Practice Mindfulness – Meditate or practice deep breathing for mental relaxation.
Seek Holistic Treatments – Consider homeopathy and therapy for overall well-being.
Prioritize Sleep – Maintain a regular sleep schedule to rejuvenate the body.
Stay Connected – Build strong social connections for emotional support.
Embrace Positivity – Cultivate a positive mindset to enhance overall wellness.

Ovihams

07/Mar/2025

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior, exploring how individuals think, feel, and act in different situations. It plays a crucial role in mental well-being, helping people overcome emotional distress, improve relationships, and lead fulfilling lives. With the growing awareness of mental health, professional psychological services are becoming more accessible, offering support through counseling, therapy, and self-care strategies.

The Role of Psychology in Mental Health

Psychology is not just about diagnosing mental illnesses; it is also about understanding human emotions, behaviors, and thought processes. Clinical psychologists use various therapeutic approaches to address issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma. Psychological interventions aim to enhance coping mechanisms and promote overall well-being.

Psychological Services at OVIHAMS

OVIHAMS (Om-Vidya Institute of Homoeopathy & Allied Medical Sciences) offers professional psychological services through its ‘Mind the MIND’ unit. Their team of experienced and licensed clinical psychologists provides evidence-based therapy and counseling to individuals facing mental health challenges. The primary goal is to help patients achieve emotional balance and develop resilience in their daily lives.

Types of Psychological Therapies

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of the most effective treatments for various mental health issues. It helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and replace them with positive and constructive thoughts. This therapy is widely used for treating anxiety, depression, and phobias.

2. Psychodynamic Therapy

This therapy focuses on understanding unconscious thoughts and past experiences that influence current behaviors. It is particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with unresolved childhood trauma or long-standing emotional difficulties.

3. Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and relaxation techniques, help individuals stay present in the moment and manage stress more effectively. These techniques are useful in treating anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders.

4. Family and Relationship Counseling

Psychologists at OVIHAMS also offer counseling services for couples and families to address conflicts, communication issues, and emotional distress. Strong relationships contribute to mental well-being, and therapy can help in resolving misunderstandings and fostering a healthier bond.

Psychological Assessments and Their Importance

Psychological assessments are essential tools for understanding a person’s mental health condition. These assessments include personality tests, intelligence tests, and behavioral evaluations that help psychologists determine the best treatment plan for an individual. At OVIHAMS, professional psychologists conduct comprehensive assessments to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective intervention.

Online and In-Person Psychological Consultation

With the increasing demand for mental health support, OVIHAMS provides both online and in-person consultations. Online therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals who are unable to visit clinics due to time constraints or personal reasons. Telehealth services allow individuals to receive professional counseling from the comfort of their homes, ensuring continuous mental health support.

The Importance of Seeking Psychological Help

Many people hesitate to seek psychological help due to the stigma surrounding mental health. However, taking care of mental well-being is as important as physical health. Therapy can help individuals:

Manage stress and anxiety
Improve self-esteem and confidence
Enhance emotional intelligence
Develop healthy coping strategies
Strengthen relationships and social interactions

Ovihams

07/Mar/2025

Homeopathy is a holistic medical system that has been practiced for over 200 years. Based on the principle of “like cures like,” homeopathy uses natural substances in highly diluted forms to stimulate the body’s self-healing ability. With its gentle yet effective approach, homeopathy offers a natural and safe alternative for individuals seeking long-term wellness without the risk of harmful side effects.

Understanding Homeopathy

Homeopathy operates on the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. This system of medicine was founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century and has since gained global recognition for its effectiveness. The core principle, “Similia Similibus Curentur” (like cures like), suggests that substances causing symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat similar symptoms in an ill person when administered in a highly diluted form.

How Homeopathic Remedies Work

Homeopathic remedies are prepared through a process known as potentization, which involves repeated dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking). This process enhances the healing properties of the substance while minimizing toxicity. The remedies are derived from natural sources such as plants, minerals, and animal products.

Unlike conventional medicine, which primarily suppresses symptoms, homeopathy aims to address the root cause of the illness. By stimulating the body’s vital force, it promotes long-lasting recovery and overall well-being.

Benefits of Homeopathy

Safe and Non-Toxic: Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted, making them safe for people of all ages, including infants, pregnant women, and the elderly.
No Side Effects: Unlike conventional medicines, homeopathic treatments do not cause adverse reactions or dependency.
Holistic Approach: Homeopathy considers not just the physical symptoms but also the emotional and mental well-being of the patient.
Personalized Treatment: Each patient is treated as a unique individual, and remedies are selected based on their specific symptoms and overall health condition.
Effective for Chronic Conditions: Homeopathy is widely used for managing chronic illnesses such as allergies, asthma, arthritis, migraines, and skin disorders.

Common Conditions Treated with Homeopathy

Homeopathy has been found effective in treating a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, including:

Allergies and Asthma: Remedies such as Allium Cepa and Arsenicum Album help relieve allergy symptoms.
Skin Disorders: Homeopathy is beneficial for eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Digestive Issues: Conditions like acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and constipation can be managed with remedies like Nux Vomica and Lycopodium.
Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders can be treated with homeopathic medicines like Ignatia Amara and Natrum Muriaticum.
Respiratory Ailments: Cold, flu, and sinusitis respond well to homeopathic treatments.

Homeopathy and Psychological Well-Being

A unique aspect of homeopathy is its ability to treat psychological conditions. At OVIHAMS, the ‘Mind the MIND’ unit specializes in offering psychological interventions such as counseling and psychotherapy alongside homeopathic treatments. By addressing both mental and physical aspects, homeopathy provides a comprehensive healing approach.

Why Choose Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is gaining widespread popularity due to its natural and effective healing approach. Many patients who have struggled with chronic conditions find relief through homeopathy when conventional treatments fail. Its ability to treat the root cause, rather than just suppress symptoms, makes it a preferred choice for many seeking long-term health benefits.

Ovihams

03/Aug/2024

Patient’s Name – Mrs. Manju

Age – 34yrs

Resident – New Delhi

Chief complaint – Irregular and extremely painful periods with profound weakness and low-grade fever. She had pain in her lower abdomen, back and legs. Lot of acidity and body aches in general.

Patient was advised to go for a Trans-vaginal USG. The report dated 27^th Feb. 2019 is –

After seeing this report she consulted her Gynaecologist who advised her surgical intervention. They did not want to go for it and went to Dr. Sanket at our Moti Bagh clinic and he reassured them that this case, though difficult, but can be treated well with Homoeopathy.

Homoeopathic treatment was then started. She was prescribed Apis Mel 30.

Gradually she started improving symptomatically. The low-grade fever that she was having for about 2 months was now gone and she was feeling much energetic in general over a period of time. She started having her periods on time and the pain during periods was much reduced and bearable. The flow was also better. There were no such body aches as well.

She was asked to go for a follow-up TVS. The USG dated 16^th May 2019 is as follows –

The patient is absolutely cured now and she and her family thank Homoeopathy and Dr. Sanket Gupta for the wonderful life changing experience and that too in such a short span of time.

Ovihams

03/Aug/2024

This is a case of Mr. A. T., 56 yrs old man who was brought to our Rajouri Garden clinic in end of July 2017 to consult with Prof. Dr. A. K. Gupta. He is a diabetic patient since 27yrs and came with complaints of burning in both the soles and even almost complete loss of sensation in the feet. He had difficulty in wearing his footwear. A full blown case of Diabetic Neuropathy! His 1st right toe had to be amputated due to Diabetes Mellitus as it had become gangrenous and would have affected other parts of the foot as well. His HbA1C level at that time was 14.6!! This was alarmingly high. The healing of the wound that had developed after amputation was not happening or obviously extremely slow and seriously dangerous condition for the patient to be in despite best of allopathic medication and dressing, the wound was not even getting close to healing. Patient was in extreme pain as well. He was on heavy Insulin dosage along with anti-hypertension and anti-dyslipidaemia medicines. His blood reports showed the bad effects of diabetes in all other body parts like heart, kidneys and liver as well.

After going through the entire case Dr. Gupta gave him Arsenic Album 1M / 1 dose to be taken on alternate days. The patient was asked to dress the wound with the help of Calendula Mother Tincture and was also asked to keep a record of Blood Sugar Fasting and Post-Prandial. In just 1 weeks’ time, the patient started feeling much better. The pain and burning in the feet were much reduced and the blood sugar levels also started coming down on a daily basis. The same prescription was continued.

Gradually his other body symptoms and parameters also started improving. Burning and tingling in feet was much better. Heaviness over the eyes and constant palpitation and uneasiness was much reduced. Healing of the wound was extremely good by the end of 2 weeks of Homoeopathic treatment. Blood sugar levels kept coming down steadily and gradually.

The wound by now has been completely healed though the patient is still undergoing treatment for diabetes mellitus and other issues.

27th July 2017

13th Aug. 2017

29th Aug.2017

10th Sept. 2017

26th Sept. 2017

4th Oct. 2017

Ovihams

03/Aug/2024

Name – Mr. Saurav Vij
Age – 22 yrs.
Address – Pitam Pura, New Delhi
Date – 26^th July 2006

CHIEF COMPLAINTS

Big white patch on the back since 1993.
Flatulence after eating
Recurrent cough and cold
Increased frequency of stools since 1-2 yrs.

HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS

Patient was apparently well until in 1993 he noticed a white patch on his back which gradually increased in size and occupied almost the whole of his back.

He has been complaining of recurrent cold and cough that he catches every now and then since 8-10 yrs.

His no. of stools in a day has also increased owing to the higher stress levels, sedentary life-style and unhealthy food habits. He complains of gas formation in the abdomen esp. after eating fried and spicy food. It causes flatulence which tends to relieve the gastric disturbance.

PAST HISTORY

Had Herpes Zoster infection few yrs ago

Tonsillectomy at the age of 14 yrs

FAMILY HISTORY

Father – Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus

Maternal side – Diabetes Mellitus

Maternal Aunt – Leucoderma

INVESTIGATIONS

Hb – 11.9 gm%

Serum IgE – 437

Serum Calcium – 8.5

Stool analysis shows cysts and ova

PHYSICAL GENERALS

Desire for Cold, Ice creams (+++)
Likes Non – vegetarian food (+++)
Desire for Spicy food (+++)
Desire for Sweets (+++)
Habit of taking Paan – 8-9/day

MENTAL GENERALS

Short tempered; easily gets irritated
Likes solitude
Fear of crowded places
Fear of heights
Very ambitious
Always in a hurry
Always wants to be busy and occupied
Restlessness
Fastidious

DIAGNOSIS

Leucoderma, Allergic Rhino-Pharyngitis, Chronic Amoebiasis

PRESCRIPTION

26^th July. 2006

Rx

Argentum Nit.200 / 1 dose

FOLLOW – UP

5^th Aug. 2006

His anxiety levels had gone down to some extent
Frequency of stools improved

No change in the patch

Rx

Sac lac for 1 week

14^th Aug. 2006

No significant change noticed

Rx

Argentum Nit.200 / 1 dose

27^th Aug. 2006

Flatulence still the same
No change in the patch

Rx

Nux Vomica 200/ 1dose

11^th Sept. 2006

Felling better in general
Flatulence reduced

Rx

Nux Vomica 200/ 2 doses/ weekly

28^th Sept. 2006

Much better in general
Patch has reduced in size
No more gas formation

Rx

Sac lac for 1 month

8^th Nov. 2006

Slight gastric discomfort
No more change in the spot

Rx

Nux Vomica 200/ 2 doses/ 1 month

6^th Dec. 2006

Much better in general
Patch further reduced
Gastric discomfort much reduced

Rx

Nux Vomica 200 / 1 dose

5^th Jan. 2007

Much better in general

Rx

Sac lac for 1 month

9^th Feb. 2007

Better in general

Rx

Nux Vomica 200/ 2 doses/ 2 months

26^th Apr. 2007

Better in general

Rx

Nux Vomic 200/ 3 doses

13^th Aug. 2007

Much better in general.
Patch much reduced now

Rx

Sac Lac for 2 months

15^th Oct. 2007

Patch reduced further more, almost minimum now

Rx

Sac Lac for 1 month

24^th Nov. 2007

No more de-pigmented patch seen.
Skin colour of the back, returns to normal colour and texture

PATIENT CURED OFF LEUCODERMA BY HOMOEOPATHY!!

JUSTIFICATION FOR REMEDY SELECTION

Argentum Nit. – On the 1^st visit itself, the patient appeared to be a highly anxious personality with lots of fears and apprehensions. characteristic symptoms like:-

hurriedness
fear of heights
fear of crowded places

made me select this remedy as these came out as predominant personality traits

Nux Vomica – this was the final selection and a constitutional prescription. After giving Argentum Nit., I realized that his anxiety levels have definitely gone down but there was absolutely no change in the white patch. I again went through the entire case and this time I was sure that Mr. S. V needed Nux vomica. The points that went in favour of this remedy were:-

Short tempered; easily gets irritated
Likes solitude
Very ambitious
Always in a hurry
Always wants to be busy and occupied
Restlessness
Fastidious

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

It is that time of the year again when most of the students would be burning the night lamps to complete their course and prepare for the approaching examinations at different educational levels. Such a time can be stressful for both children and parents alike.

Parents often find it hard to cope with the increased irritability, demotivation and disconnectedness in their children prior to and during exam time. Here are a few TIPS that may help parents deal with their child’s anxieties during exams:

Remain Calm and Relax: The best way you can help your child is to remain to calm yourself! It’s very important not to transfer any additional anxiety onto your kids. This can happen unintentionally, especially if you’ve had a mixed experience of exams yourself. Keep reminding yourself it’s not about you.
Reinforce the positives: It is extremely important for parents to appreciate their children for every little success they achieve. Encourage them to look at failures as natural and opportunities to learn and grow. Praise your child’s effort and perseverance, rather than focusing on results. Listen to them, give support and avoid comparing him/her to other kids. Encouraging messages, cards, or even tight hugs can be extremely motivational.

Strike a Balance: Encourage your child to take breaks while studying. Even during exams, some time should be set aside for playing outside, listening to music or engaging in any other preferred activity of choice. Eating regular and nutritious meals and a good night’s sleep is absolutely necessary.

Keep the environment-friendly: Help your child prepare a schedule according to his own realistic standards and leave him to follow it in his own way. Assist them in arranging their tables and study material properly. A clutter free desk breeds healthy learning. The entire family should take care of minimizing noise and distractions during exam time.

Some TIPS for the students as well; as they are the ones who’ll actually be facing the challenge:-

Structure your day (plan out a routine). Ascertain if you are a day or a night person; best/ most comfortable time of the day for studying.

Take short breaks (2-5 mins) every 35-40 mins and start with a quick revision of the previous session.

Make notes or flashcards for yourself. Make mnemonics (like VIBGYOR for the seven colours of the rainbow where each letter represents the subsequent colour starting with Violet and ending with Red as in the actual rainbow)

A balanced diet, regular exercise, yoga and adequate sleep (at least 6 hrs)

Reducing distractions to the minimal in the study environment, especially mobiles.

Work on the table; use your bed only for sleeping and not for studying, as the bed is associated with sleep and when you sit and study on the bed, it confuses the brain as to whether to study or to sleep. This, in turn, starts interfering with the normal sleep pattern also.

Positive attitude and faith in your own abilities.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

When we talk of “Personality” people usually think of someone who is good looking, smart, charming and even influential to some extent. In this post, we look at what is meant by personality, different characteristics of personality, and an introduction to Personality Disorders. As there are various types of Personality Disorders, and each requires an in-depth understanding of the dynamics, they are being covered separately in our e-Newsletters under the Mind the MIND section.

Characteristics of Personality

Persistent and enduring – Even though we all modify our beliefs and behaviours during our lifetime, our core personality traits tend to remain stable over time.
Early emergence – Our stable personality traits begin to manifest in adolescence, somewhere at the age of 15-16 years.
Combination of traits – Personality is dynamic in nature as it is an amalgamation of different of ways of thinking, feeling, perceiving and responding to the environment.
It also involves how we relate to self and others. Thus, it involves both the interpersonal and intrapersonal relations.

Personality Disorders

As mentioned above, our personality comprises of several traits and not all of them are necessarily healthy and adaptive. Some of these traits are bound to be problematic. Personality disorder is a mental disorder in which the person has a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. It represents an extreme or significant variation in personal functioning, a deviation from the way an average individual in a given culture thinks, feels, behaves, perceives, and relates to others. This causes significant problems and limitations in interpersonal relations, social activities, work productivity, and overall functioning.

Types of Personality Disorders

Personality Disorders are grouped into three clusters, based on similar characteristics and symptoms. Many people with one personality disorder also have signs and symptoms of at least one additional personality disorder. It’s not necessary to exhibit all the signs and symptoms listed for a disorder to be diagnosed.

TREATMENT

People who suffer from Personality Disorders are unlikely to seek treatment voluntarily as they may blame others and circumstances for their plight. If at all they do, it’s for associated conditions like depression, anxiety, relationship problems, stress, strong feelings that others do not understand them, etc. A combination of Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy works best for such cases.

Psychotherapy – This is the most promising method of treatment for people with Personality Disorders. Intense and long-term therapy is required as there may be deep-rooted problems with interpersonal functioning. A strong therapist-client relationship offers the most benefit to people with such problems, yet is extremely difficult to establish due to the dramatic skepticism and inadequate coping skills of patients with such conditions.

Establishing rapport is the most challenging task for the therapist, yet the professional seeks to work around it to help the individual see things from a different perspective. There are different types, schools, and techniques of therapy. Depending on the nature of problems and its manifestation, the psychotherapist decides what would be more applicable as it is an individualistic treatment that caters to the needs and uniqueness of each individual.

In addition to psychotherapy, Psychological Assessments also form a significant part of the treatment process as through testing the therapist gets a better understanding of the inner dynamics of the individual’s personality which strengthens the case formulation and subsequent treatment plan.

Medicines – As mentioned above, prescribing medicines for the comorbid problems can work well which would also help in improving the overall functioning of the individual. A Psychiatrist prescribes such medicines.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

Overview

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety spectrum disorder which is chiefly characterised by the occurrence of unwanted and intrusive (interfering) obsessive thoughts or distressing images usually accompanied by compulsive behaviours performed to neutralize the obsessive thoughts or images or to prevent some dreaded event or situation.

Obsessions involve persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as disturbing and inappropriate. People with such obsessions try to resist, suppress or neutralize them with some other thought or action. Obsessive thoughts consist most often of contamination fears, fears of harming oneself or others, need for symmetry, sexual obsessions and obsessions concerning religion or aggression. Compulsions can involve either overt repetitive behaviours like hand washing, checking or arranging things in an order or more covert mental acts like counting, praying or saying certain words silently. A person having OCD would realise that the obsessions are a product of his own mind but still feels compelled or driven to perform the compulsive act to “prevent something bad from happening”.

Causes

Like any other psychological illness, there could be various factors causing OCD. The biological factors could be genetic vulnerabilities, heritability, or brain and neurotransmitter abnormalities. Studies suggest that the dysfunction of certain brain areas like orbital frontal cortex, cortico-basal-ganglionic-thalamic circuit could be responsible for the illness. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain, has also been shown to be significantly involved in the development of OCD.

There are many psychological theories explaining the aetiology of OCD. According to them, some of the most significant psychological factors responsible for causing and maintaining the illness are – faulty thinking process, irrational beliefs, faulty learning and misinterpretation of intrusive thoughts. Obsessive thoughts lead to significant anxiety which the person finds extremely distressing. In order to get rid of this unpleasant feeling, the person performs the action which reduces the anxiety. This acts like a positive reinforcement and hence an unending, vivious cycle is formed.

As mentioned above, we all experience intrusive thoughts in our day-to-day lives but people with OCD seem to have an inflated sense of responsibility and so misinterpret these thoughts as being very important and significant which could lead to catastrophic consequences. In addition to this, stress is another important aspect that needs to be considered while talking about any psychological problem. Although stress does not seemingly cause OCD, it can trigger the onset of the illness in a person who is biologically or psychologically predisposed to it and can worsen the symptoms in a person having the disorder.

Treatment

Before we initiate the therapy process, it is imperative that we make a complete assessment of the nature, intensity and frequency of all the obsessions and compulsions present in the individual. Assessment consists of detailed clinical interview, self-monitoring, homework assignments and direct observation by the therapist. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), wherein the focus is on replacing the faulty thought processes with the more appropriate, logical and adaptive thinking patterns, is the most widely employed and accepted form of therapy for treating OCD. Some of the techniques frequently employed in the treatment of OCD are- • Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) – Avoidance is often the most common response to anxiety provoking stimuli or situations. The more we try to deal with the problem by avoiding, the more real it seems and the more the thoughts get stuck in our mind. This is exactly what happens in OCD also as the person tries to avoid the obsessive thoughts by neutralising them either through an outward compulsive action or some covert ways. This technique works on the principle that the best way to deal with such thoughts is to get used to them without doing the compulsive actions and avoidance. It requires the person to get more in contact with the things he /she dreads, get used to them and eventually realise that the things that worried him/her actually never happen. The person is “exposed” to the anxiety provoking stimuli without being allowed to perform any activity to neutralise it (“response prevention”). The anxiety might increase initially but will gradually reduce on its own without performing the compulsive or neutralising action. This in turn would break the faulty association that was formed between the obsession and compulsions. Some Dos and Don’ts as part of the therapuetic process which are very effective in treating the problem of OCD:

Obsessions involve persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced as disturbing and inappropriate. People with such obsessions try to resist, suppress or neutralize them with some other thought or action. Obsessive thoughts consist most often of contamination fears, fears of harming oneself or others, need for symmetry, sexual obsessions and obsessions concerning religion or aggression. Compulsions can involve either overt repetitive behaviours like hand washing, checking or arranging things in an order or more covert mental acts like counting, praying or saying certain words silently. A person having OCD would realise that the obsessions are a product of his own mind but still feels compelled or driven to perform the compulsive act to “prevent something bad from happening”.

Causes

Like any other psychological illness, there could be various factors causing OCD. The biological factors could be genetic vulnerabilities, heritability, or brain and neurotransmitter abnormalities. Studies suggest that the dysfunction of certain brain areas like orbital frontal cortex, cortico-basal-ganglionic-thalamic circuit could be responsible for the illness. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in the brain, has also been shown to be significantly involved in the development of OCD.

There are many psychological theories explaining the aetiology of OCD. According to them, some of the most significant psychological factors responsible for causing and maintaining the illness are – faulty thinking process, irrational beliefs, faulty learning and misinterpretation of intrusive thoughts. Obsessive thoughts lead to significant anxiety which the person finds extremely distressing. In order to get rid of this unpleasant feeling, the person performs the action which reduces the anxiety. This acts like a positive reinforcement and hence an unending, vivious cycle is formed.

As mentioned above, we all experience intrusive thoughts in our day-to-day lives but people with OCD seem to have an inflated sense of responsibility and so misinterpret these thoughts as being very important and significant which could lead to catastrophic consequences. In addition to this, stress is another important aspect that needs to be considered while talking about any psychological problem. Although stress does not seemingly cause OCD, it can trigger the onset of the illness in a person who is biologically or psychologically predisposed to it and can worsen the symptoms in a person having the disorder.

Treatment

Before we initiate the therapy process, it is imperative that we make a complete assessment of the nature, intensity and frequency of all the obsessions and compulsions present in the individual. Assessment consists of detailed clinical interview, self-monitoring, homework assignments and direct observation by the therapist. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), wherein the focus is on replacing the faulty thought processes with the more appropriate, logical and adaptive thinking patterns, is the most widely employed and accepted form of therapy for treating OCD. Some of the techniques frequently employed in the treatment of OCD are- • Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) – Avoidance is often the most common response to anxiety provoking stimuli or situations. The more we try to deal with the problem by avoiding, the more real it seems and the more the thoughts get stuck in our mind. This is exactly what happens in OCD also as the person tries to avoid the obsessive thoughts by neutralising them either through an outward compulsive action or some covert ways. This technique works on the principle that the best way to deal with such thoughts is to get used to them without doing the compulsive actions and avoidance. It requires the person to get more in contact with the things he /she dreads, get used to them and eventually realise that the things that worried him/her actually never happen. The person is “exposed” to the anxiety provoking stimuli without being allowed to perform any activity to neutralise it (“response prevention”). The anxiety might increase initially but will gradually reduce on its own without performing the compulsive or neutralising action. This in turn would break the faulty association that was formed between the obsession and compulsions. Some Dos and Don’ts as part of the therapuetic process which are very effective in treating the problem of OCD:

DOS	DON’Ts
Let the thought/image/impluse come and let them go.	Do not try to stop the thought/image/impulse as it has a paradoxical effect.
Be with the anxiety	Do not avoid the thought/image/impulse
Accept that these thoughts/images/impulses are not from your own mind, but because of OCD	Do not try to control the thought/image/impulse
A thought is just a thought, and not reality. Just observe it as an audience without engaging with them.	Do not distract yourself as it will provide provide relief but only temporarily.

Another important point worth noting is that guilt is the best friend of OCD; whenever there is guilt attached to obsessions, it will exacerbate the problem. Hence, it is important for the person to understand that simply having an obsessive thought (for instance – sexual images) is not equivalent to having actually done that in reality. We all experience such unpleasant or unwanted thoughts, impulses or images almost everyday and so there is nothing abnormal in it. It is just a thought and has no relevance till the time we attach some meaning to it or in case of OCD, there is anxiety due to the increased sense of responsibility. OCD can be an extremely debilitating and distressful illness for the person suffering from it as it hampers the functioning in various aspects. But there is hope as it is definitely a treatable illness with a combination of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions. Homoepathic medicines are very efficient in treating OCD in combination with psychotherapy.

Ovihams

24/Jul/2024

TOWARDS A HEALTHY MIND

We all engage in different exercises or activities to shape up and build our physical strength, but we often ignore our governing system; our mind or brain! Dumbbells are good for building up muscles but what about the mind? There aren’t any gyms for mental training or strengthening. It is often said that A healthy mind resides in a healthy body, but it is also true that A healthy mind often precedes a healthy body. Only if we have the peace of mind and are able to take good decisions efficiently can we grow in all aspects of life.

Mental health is an imperative but often ignored aspect of our lives. Through this article, I am making an attempt to encourage you to pay more attention to your mental health. The daily hassles, frustrations, anger, disappointments and unexpected situations we face in our lives pose great risk for our mental health. We need to train and strengthen our mind to adjust and adapt to such challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realises his/her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his/her community”. It is not just the absence of mental illness. Having talked about what mental health is and why we need to be more serious about it, let’s now look at some of the ways that various studies all over the world propose to be efficient in helping us to train or strengthen our brain/mind.

Engage in brain stimulating activities like playing Sudoku, solving puzzles or crosswords.
Regular exercises, yoga and meditation in the proper way.
Learning to Let Go!!
Spending some significant amount of time doing your hobbies or anything that gives you happiness. As kids, we all had at least one such activity that gave us immense pleasure and we were always ready to do it with full enthusiasm.
Don’t let the child in you die out.
Keep in touch with your friends and family. Meet them often. Share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with whomever you feel comfortable or have that rapport with.
Experience your emotions; even if negative let the feeling run its course. It is important that you process the emotion appropriately. Blocking it is no solution.
Learn to be patient. It is a virtue that very few possess in today’s world but it is a very important ingredient for your success.
Be stable and balanced in your approach.
Get adequate amount of sleep everyday (6-8 hrs) and take a healthy, balanced diet.
Avoid the use of harmful substances like alcohol, cigarettes and other drugs that have the potential of causing havoc in your brain.
Believe in yourself and work towards your goals or dreams.

‘Mental Health…is not a destination but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.’ Noam Shpancer

The Role of Psychology in Mental Health

Psychological Services at OVIHAMS

Types of Psychological Therapies

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

2. Psychodynamic Therapy

3. Mindfulness-Based Therapy

4. Family and Relationship Counseling

Psychological Assessments and Their Importance

Online and In-Person Psychological Consultation

The Importance of Seeking Psychological Help

Understanding Homeopathy

How Homeopathic Remedies Work

Benefits of Homeopathy

Common Conditions Treated with Homeopathy

Homeopathy and Psychological Well-Being

Why Choose Homeopathy?

So all the best to all the students. We hope our advice would serve you well! 🙂

What is personality?

Characteristics of Personality

Personality Disorders

Characteristics of Personality Disorders

Types of Personality Disorders

Cluster A Personality Disorders

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Cluster C Personality Disorders

TREATMENT

Overview

Prevalence of OCD

Causes

Treatment

Prevalence of OCD

Causes

Treatment

TOWARDS A HEALTHY MIND

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