Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, .
Dr Anshul Mahajan
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is an anxiety disorder that generally causes extreme discomfort. Sufferers are often riddled with persistent and recurrent impulses, thoughts and images that are unwanted. Severe cases of OCD can cause an extreme amount of distress, and the disorder can dramatically interfere with a person’s daily life.
Sufferers of OCD who have disturbing thoughts generally have reoccurring images in their minds that are disturbing or terrible. These thoughts may occur based on an event that happened in the person’s life, or they may occur for no particular reason. Sufferers of OCD who have the need to constantly check on people or items generally fear that something bad will happen if they stop checking. For example, someone with OCD may constantly walk throughout their home to make sure all the doors and windows are locked due to their fear that someone might try to break in.
Sufferers who have a fear of contamination may take baths and wash their hands many times throughout the course of one day, or they may be obsessed with cleaning every inch of their home to ensure it is spotless and free of germs. OCD sufferers who hoard items are obsessed with making sure they keep everything they’ve ever owned, even if the item is worn out or useless. A person who hoards becomes emotionally attached to items, and the very thought of throwing things away can cause great distress.
Obsessions
Obsessions are images, ideas, and thoughts that simply will not go away. While it is not uncommon for individuals to have disturbing thoughts from time to time, a person with OCD cannot escape their thoughts no matter how hard they try. These recurring thoughts are so severe that they can debilitate someone with OCD.
Compulsions
Compulsions are behaviors that individuals with obsessions display in order to relieve themselves of their anxiety. With OCD, the compulsive behavior is directly related to the excessive thought. For example, someone who counts their money every hour may have an obsessive fear someone will steal it or they will lose it.
Obsessions Without Compulsions
There is not always a physical behavior associated with an obsession. If you constantly worry about or have obsessive thoughts about something you cannot control, such as the safety of a long-lost relative, you may feel a great deal of distress, but your doctor is unlikely to diagnose you with obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is generally some type of compulsive behavior that accompanies the obsession in individuals who receive this diagnosis.
What Are the Types of OCD?
• Disturbing thoughts
• Constant checking
• Fear of contamination
• Hoarding
What Causes OCD?
OCD is a disorder that is not yet fully understood. However, medical professionals believe there is a genetic component to this disease, as there is some research that has shown that this disorder has the tendency to run in families. This behavior can also be learned based on habits you may have developed during childhood or over a long period of time.
What Are the Signs of OCD?
• Repeated unwanted ideas
• Fear of contamination
• Aggressive impulses
• Persistent sexual thoughts
• Images of hurting someone you love
• Thoughts that you might cause others harm
• Thoughts that you might be harmed
Signs of compulsion include:
• Constant checking
• Constant counting
• The repeated cleaning of one or more items
• Repeatedly washing your hands
• Constantly checking the stove or door locks
• Arranging items to face a certain way
• Emotional Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Managements tips
Counselling
Medication
Psychotherapy
Getting Help for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
No matter how severe your situation may seem, you can get help to treat your OCD. Getting help will allow you or your loved one to dramatically improve the quality of life you live.
If you’ve noticed any of the above-mentioned symptoms in yourself or a loved one, we can help. Give us a call (0161-4084555/4084666) today at to speak to a professional who can tell you about the resources available to you or your loved one.
Manas Hospital, Near Yes bank turn, Aarti chowk, Near Hotel ONN, Ludhiana