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35,847 claims
Talking therapies are the primary treatment for OCD, with medication as an option if symptoms are severe.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is usually treated with talking therapies. Medicines may help if your symptoms are severe.
Service · Policy statement · From Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
The main symptoms of OCD include unpleasant thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
The main symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder are unpleasant thoughts and repetitive behaviours that you cannot control.
Service · Observational claim · From Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Two groups are more likely to be affected by Munchausen syndrome: women aged 20-40 with healthcare backgrounds and unmarried white men aged 30-50.
There appear to be 2 separate groups of people affected by Munchausen syndrome. They are: women who are 20 to 40 years of age, often with a background in healthcare; unmarried white men who are 30 to 50 years of age
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
Family therapy can help family members avoid reinforcing the patient's abnormal behavior.
It can also teach family members how to avoid reinforcing the person's abnormal behaviour. For example, this could involve recognising when the person is playing the "sick role" and avoiding showing them concern or offering support.
Service · Observational claim
A combination of psychoanalysis and CBT may help control symptoms if the patient cooperates with treatment.
There's no standard treatment for Munchausen syndrome, but a combination of psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown some success controlling symptoms.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
Treatment for Munchausen syndrome is difficult as most patients refuse to admit they have a problem.
Treating Munchausen syndrome can be difficult because most people with it refuse to admit they have a problem and refuse to co-operate with treatment plans.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
Diagnosing Munchausen syndrome is challenging due to patients' convincing behavior and manipulation.
Diagnosing Munchausen syndrome can be challenging for medical professionals. People with the syndrome are often very convincing and skilled at manipulating and exploiting doctors.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
People with Munchausen syndrome often refuse psychiatric treatment.
Many people refuse psychiatric treatment or psychological profiling, and it's unclear why people with the syndrome behave the way they do.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
Possible causes of Munchausen syndrome include childhood trauma and personality disorders.
Several factors have been identified as possible causes of Munchausen syndrome. These include: emotional trauma or illness during childhood – this often resulted in extensive medical attention; a personality disorder – a mental health condition that causes patterns of abnormal thinking and behaviour
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
People with Munchausen syndrome can be manipulative and may undergo unnecessary surgery.
People with Munchausen syndrome can be very manipulative and, in the most serious cases, may undergo painful and sometimes life-threatening surgery, even though they know it's unnecessary.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
People with Munchausen syndrome may travel between hospitals pretending to have various illnesses.
Some people with Munchausen syndrome may spend years travelling from hospital to hospital faking a wide range of illnesses. When it's discovered they're lying, they may suddenly leave hospital and move to another area.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
The main intention behind Munchausen syndrome is to assume the 'sick role'.
Their main intention is to assume the "sick role" so that people care for them and they are the centre of attention.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
Munchausen syndrome involves pretending to be ill or producing symptoms of illness.
Munchausen syndrome is a psychological condition where someone pretends to be ill or deliberately produces symptoms of illness in themselves.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Munchausen syndrome, [page]
St John's wort can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill and is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Taking St John's wort with other medicines, such as anticonvulsants, anticoagulants, antidepressants and the contraceptive pill, can also cause serious problems. You should not take St John's wort if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, as we do not know for sure that it's safe.
Policy · Risk statement · From Treatment - Depression in adults, [page]
Lithium levels need to be monitored regularly through blood tests while on the medication.
If the level of lithium in your blood becomes too high, it can become toxic. You'll therefore need blood tests every 3 to 6 months to check your lithium levels and check for side effects while you're on the medicine.
Operational · Procedural statement · From Treatment - Depression in adults, [page]
Vortioxetine is associated with common side effects such as abnormal dreams, constipation, and nausea.
Common side effects associated with vortioxetine include abnormal dreams, constipation, diarrhoea, dizziness, itching, nausea and vomiting.
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Depression in adults, [page]
Mirtazapine can be used to treat depression and may help with sleep difficulties.
It's sometimes used together with other types of antidepressant. It can make you feel sleepy. This can be helpful if you have depression and difficulties getting to sleep.
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Depression in adults, [page]
Withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants are common but usually mild and short-lived, lasting up to two weeks.
In most cases, these are quite mild and last no longer than 1 or 2 weeks, but occasionally they can be quite severe. They seem to be most likely to occur with paroxetine and venlafaxine (Efexor).
Operational · Observational claim · From Treatment - Depression in adults, [page]
St John's wort is not recommended by doctors due to inconsistent active ingredient levels and potential interactions with other medications.
There's some evidence that it may help less severe depression, but it's not recommended by doctors. This is because the amount of active ingredients varies among individual brands and batches, so you can never be sure what sort of effect it'll have on you. Taking St John's wort with other medicines, such as anticonvulsants, anticoagulants, antidepressants and the contraceptive pill, can also cause serious problems.
Policy · Policy statement · From Treatment - Depression in adults, [page]
Lithium is offered as an additional treatment if several antidepressants have been tried without improvement.
If you have tried several different antidepressants and there's been no improvement, a specialist may offer you a medicine called lithium in addition to your current treatment.
Policy · Policy statement · From Treatment - Depression in adults, [page]