Questions in the Mental Health Forum have been answered by Roger L. Gould, M.D., affiliated with U.C.L.A. and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: hypertension

Forum: The Mental Health Forum
Topic: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)


For as long as I can remember I have had problems with OCD.
Yet at the age of I guess around 5 or 6 I didn't know what it was at the time. When I got in High school and took health I read about the disorder and I didn't feel like such a freak. I am an adult now and I try to fight this problem. My question is could this make my blood pressure go up? I have always had 120 over 80 I went recently to have my annual check-up and my doctor said I was boderlinel Also my HDL is low (33). I had a bad upset the day before and at times like that,even though I was not in the wrong I feel guilt so bad, well I think you get the message. I checked my pressure 3 days later and it was 120 over 74. I can fight this thing but at times I get caught off guard and feel like I am being bonbarded. I haven't told my doctor about this because I don't want to have to take drugs to exist.
Is this dangerous to me? Having OCD makes me feel so ashamed. I can't even talk to my husband about this. Help????


Dear Jean,

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is described as recurring obsessions and/or compulsions, recognized to be excessive or unreasonable, severe enough to be time-consuming (taking more than an hour a day), or causing marked distress, or significantly interfering with a person's normal routine, occupational or academic functioning, or usual social activities or relationships. Obsessions are recurrent and intrusive thoughts, feelings or ideas, such as fear of contamination, doubts about forgetting to turn off the stove or lock the doors, or the need for exactness. Compulsions are conscious, recurring actions, such as hand-washing, checking door-locks or the stove, or arranging things in a particular exact order.

You should not be ashamed if you have OCD - about 3 percent of the general population suffer from OCD, but many people keep their condition secret, and there is often a delay of 5 to 10 years before they seek help. The good news is that there are certain types of psychotherapy, such as behavior therapy, which are very helpful. In addition, a number of medications which are non-addictive can help you have significant improvement in your symptoms or even achieve full remission. OCD probably has nothing to do with your blood pressure or HDL level.

I hope this information is helpful. It is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your doctor as soon as possible, for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your problems. Henry Ford Behavioral Services provide confidential consultation, available by calling (313)-874-6680 for an appointment.

*Keywords: compulsion, obsession, OCD


 

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