OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is a mental illness that urges certain thoughts or repetitive activities that make no sense to other humans. For example, people who suffer from OCD have urges to check on or clean an object or place several times. If you resist this rigid behaviour, it causes significant distress.

A person with OCD shows obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions.

Symptoms of Common Obsession

• You feel contaminated with dirt.
• Keep things in a symmetrical order.
• Thoughts of getting hurt yourself and others.
• Unwanted or perverse sexual thoughts.
• Obsessions with religious beliefs.
• Superstitious about colours and numbers.
• Suspicious about one’s partner being unfaithful.

Symptoms of Compulsive Behaviour

• Washing and cleaning hands and household items several times.
• Repeated checks on things done previously, like rereading or rewriting.
• A habit of counting objects in patterns.
• Behaviour to arrange objects faces the same way.
• Repeated reviews on the stove to make sure it is off.
• Repeating prayer words or phrases silently.

What causes OCD has no full-proof theory, but as per several kinds of research from physicians across the globe, the causes are found as follows –

• Hereditary and genetic factors can be a cause of OCD.
• If the brain functions abnormally due to some chemical and structural problems.
• When some learned action becomes the cause of relief from anxiety.
• Reinforce superstitious beliefs or maintain signs of OCD.

We know that OCD can hamper one’s lifestyle. Apart from the various signs and symptoms of OCD, it has a variety of harmful effects, that include –

• Gives rise to financial problems
• Risks employment
• Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
• Damaged skin due to excessive washing
• Gives rise to other mental disorders
• Hampers relationships

Men, women and children are equally affected by OCD. The risk factors of OCD are as follows –

• Age - Common in teens and adults. An individual may develop signs in preschool age, or also as late as 40 years.
• Genetics - Individuals with a family history of OCD are more at risk of acquiring this disorder.
• History of Mental Health Conditions- An individual already diagnosed with mental or neurological condition are at greater risk.
• Stress - Excessive stress can provoke OCD.
• Pregnancy and postpartum - OCD after pregnancy is quite common as its symptoms can be triggered by hormonal changes.

OCD is sometimes difficult to diagnose because the behavioural patterns are a bit similar to obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. The physicians diagnose OCD in the following steps –

• Psychological evaluation – The doctor counsels your thoughts, feelings and symptoms to determine behavioural patterns.
• Physical exam – Physicians perform blood tests and physical exams to ensure symptoms are not from other disorders.

OCD has no cure, but the symptoms can be dampened with medications, therapies and treatment plans. This includes –

• Psychotherapy – A behavioural therapy to change the thought process. Here patients learn to lessen and stop the OCD thoughts and actions.
• Relaxation – Stress buster therapy like yoga, meditation, and massage.
• Medication – Doctors prescribe psychiatric drugs like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).
• Neuromodulation – Treatment through various OCD treatment devices. It is prescribed in rare cases or when other methods fail.
• TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) – An invasive device placed over the head to induce a magnetic field. It targets a specific part of the brain to regulate the symptoms of OCD.

There are no specific ways to prevent OCD. As soon as the early signs of OCD pop up, please consult a doctor to treat it to avoid further complications. A temporary preventive measure is to distract yourself, read a book, watch a movie or indulge in activities that help you forget the compulsive behaviours.

One should never ignore the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as it can adversely affect your mental health. Understandably, OCD cannot be cured completely; instead, the symptoms can be reduced through various treatments. If not treated in time, your offspring may reflect the same obsessive and compulsive actions, which can be a spot for bother. This affects not only one’s lifestyle but also others close to them. So the point is to distract yourself and consult a physician before things get out of your hands.