This is a mental health disorder in which people experience unwanted thoughts (obsessions) which in turn causes repetitive behaviors (compulsions). This condition is called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and it interacts with daily routine and causes many problems. Therefore, people with OCD are driven to make compulsive acts to reduce stress. In case you refuse to do compulsive acts and ignore unwanted thoughts, they tend to return. As a result, you are supposed to act according to this ritual (also known as the OCD cycle).
This mental disorder usually centers on a specific theme. For instance, fear of getting contaminated by germs may lead to frequent hand washing until they are chapped or sore. Many people with OCD feel ashamed, frustrated, and embarrassed about this disorder. Discuss possible ways to treat this condition with your doctor.
Symptoms
This condition commonly includes both compulsions and obsessions. However, some people with OCD experience either obsessions symptoms or compulsion symptoms. Symptoms caused by this mental condition reduce the quality of life by interacting with your daily routines and responsibilities.
Obsession Symptoms
Obsessions provoked by OCD are lasting and recurrent causing anxiety and distress. Some people try to ignore them or get rid of them by acting based on the ritual. Check below the most common obsession themes:
- Horrific or aggressive thoughts (including losing control and harming yourself or others)
- Unwanted thoughts (such as aggression or sexual or religious subjects)
- Those who suffer from this condition require things to be balanced and orderly
- Fear of dirt or contamination
- Doubting and difficulty facing uncertainty
Check below also some obsession symptoms:
- Feeling fear of contamination while touching objects that other people touched
- Recurrent doubts that you have locked the door or turned off the stove
- Seeing images of driving your car into a crowd of people
- Unpleasant sexual images
- Avoiding situations that cause obsessions (including shaking hands)
- Persistent stress when certain things are not faced in a certain way or are not orderly
Compulsion Symptoms
These symptoms include repetitive behaviors (compulsions) that people are driven to do to reduce anxiety. However, these compulsions usually offer anxiety relief for a short period only. Check below the most common themes of compulsions:
- Checking
- Counting
- Ordering
- Following a strict routine
- Demanding reassurance
- Cleaning and washing
Check below also some compulsion symptoms:
- Frequent hand washing (sometimes until the skin becomes raw)
- Regularly checking the doors to make sure they are locked
- Verifying the stove over and over again to ensure it is off
- Counting in certain patterns
- Frequent repeating a phrase, word, or prayer (usually silently)
- Constantly trying to replace a bad thought with a good one
- Another compulsive symptom includes an arrangement of canned goods in the same way
OCD Severity
Commonly, symptoms appear differently among people because it depends on the severity of the mental health problem. Moreover, some people experience their first symptoms in childhood while others notice them in adolescence or young adulthood. In addition, OCD symptoms change over time and tend to worsen when a person experiences great stress. This mental disorder is considered life-long and sometimes symptoms may be so severe that it becomes disabling.
However, people with OCD and perfectionists are different. Thus, if the obsessions and compulsions negatively affect your quality of life, you should visit a doctor.
Causes
Experts continue to study this mental disorder. Check below some potential causes of OCD:
- Biology – Healthcare providers think that this condition can appear in some people due to the natural chemistry of the body or brain functions.
- Genetics – This mental health problem may have a genetic factor. However, specific genes are not identified.
- Learning – Some experts suggest that some obsessive fears and compulsive behaviors can be learned from family members. In any case, some people learn them over time.
Risk Factors
- Family history – If you have a family member with OCD, the risk that you will develop it increases.
- Persistent stress – People who have gone through different stressful or traumatic events are at higher risk of developing OCD. It occurs because previous events can cause intrusive thoughts, rituals, and emotional distress.
- Other mental disorders – Obsessive-compulsive disorder is often linked with other mental health problems including depression, substance abuse, tic disorders, and anxiety disorders.
What Are The Potential Complications of OCD?
People with OCD may also experience some complications. These include:
- Ritualistic behaviors in which people spend a lot of time
- Other health problems (such as contact dermatitis, frequent washing of the hands, and others)
- Relationship problems
- Poor quality of life
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Difficulty engaging in work or school activities
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this condition but early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent future complications.
Diagnosis
Sometimes, it may be challenging to diagnose this condition because it causes symptoms similar to other mental health issues (including anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and others). However, physicians usually perform the following evaluations to determine whether you have OCD or not. For example:
- Psychological evaluation – This procedure involves discussions about your thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and behavior. It helps to exclude other conditions that provoke similar symptoms.
- Physical examination – Doctors perform this examination usually to check for complications.
Treatment
It is not possible to cure this mental disorder, but with treatment, you can lessen the symptoms, prevent complications, and improve your quality of life. However, doctors prescribe different treatments for the patients because it depends on the severity of the condition, other existing health problems, and other factors.
Usually, psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medications are the primary treatments for people with OCD. Sometimes, people require both treatment options to cope with OCD.
Talk Therapy
One talk therapy type that is effective for people with OCD is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Moreover, a part of CBT is exposure and response prevention (ERP), which helps people learn how not to do compulsive rituals. It involves exposure to a feared object or situation (such as dirt) and doctors will teach you options that help to avoid compulsive rituals. This treatment option can improve your quality of life.
Medications
There are some psychiatric medications that can help to control obsessions and compulsions. However, doctors prescribe antidepressants first. Check below some antidepressants approved by the FDA to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder:
- Fluoxetine (can be used by adults and children older than 7 years old)
- Fluvoxamine
- Paroxetine (for adults only)
- Sertraline
- Clomipramine
Sometimes, physicians prescribe psychiatric medicines along with antidepressants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an obsessive behavior?
This is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, urge, or image that occurs repeatedly provoking anxiety and feelings of disgust or unease. Talk with a doctor for more details.
What are OCD stages?
These include:
- Obsessions
- Anxiety
- Compulsions
- Temporary relief
What are the primary triggers of obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Some healthcare professionals believe that the following factors trigger this mental disorder. Examples include a family history of OCD, the body or brain chemistry changes, a gene mutation, some environmental factors, and others. Ask your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.
