Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Obsessions and Compulsions One Needs to Know About

Melita Pinto May 25, 2022

OCD, commonly referred to as the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder showcases a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that eventually result in recurring behaviours (compulsions). The individuals suffering from OCD feel consumed to perform compulsive acts to relieve their stress.

Symptoms 

To elaborate more on OCD, it is important to throw light on the fact that OCD involves both obsessions and compulsions. One might not realise to what extent the obsessions and compulsions might be causing an effect on one’s life but it intervenes in one’s day to day activities as an individual.

1. Obsession:  Repetitive unwanted thoughts, and mental images that cause anxiety. Some of the symptoms include: 

  • Having things in a perfectly organised manner. 
  • Uncontrollable thoughts are forbidden.
2. Compulsion:  Repeated behaviour an individual with OCD does to retaliate to an obsessive thought. Common symptoms include: 

  • Extravagant cleaning or washing of hands.
  • Setting out things in a precise manner. 

A person with OCD can’t resist thoughts or behaviours which are recognised in response to such thoughts.

How do you know if you have OCD?

If you think you might have OCD, a proper diagnosis will aid you to be sure. To get properly diagnosed, it is very important to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist. 

Diagnosis might include:

  1. A Psychological test or evaluation of one’s fears, obsessions and compulsions can be a big step to knowing if you’re suffering from OCD;

  2. Blood tests; and

  3. A Physical test to see if the symptoms you’re experiencing are due to health conditions.

OCD In Children 

The primary signs are observed in the teenage years. However, sometimes signs become pretty evident during childhood years as well. The symptoms can be seen in the form of : 

  1. Low self-esteem.

  2. Have a hard time initiating or maintaining friendships or relationships.

  3. Find burdensome completing schoolwork.

 Causes of OCD

1. Genetic factors:  It has been found that heredity plays an important role in the development of OCD. Nevertheless, researchers have come up that half of the cause of OCD is genetic.

2. Environmental factors:  Events causing stress to give rise to OCD in people. It has been said that symptoms can be noticed after 6 months of the following events :

  • A traumatic brain injury
  • A serious conflict
  • Childbirth

How to Deal With Someone Who Is Suffering From OCD? 

  1. Be patient: Remember their fears are traumatic to them even if it feels exhausting, irritating or unrealistic to you.

  2. Educate yourself:  Educate yourself about OCD. This might help you put yourself in your loved one’s shoes and try to understand them better.

  3. Be unbiased: Always be there and make sure you let them know you love them and support them regardless of what the situation is. This will make them share their thoughts and be open with you in the near future.

How to Treat OCD? 

Two techniques have been found effectively sound for eradicating OCD: One is Exposure Response Prevention therapy (ERP). The other leaves us with medications. 

The primary operation of ERP is to basically confront the situation or thought, an object that makes the individual anxious. If someone avoids touching water bottles due to contamination, the ERP therapist would have the person put his hands on the water bottle for say, 15 minutes for starters.

Response prevention refers to selecting not to do compulsions after being exposed to an anxious or fearful situation. Antidepressant medications are provided to people suffering from OCD. This does not indicate that one is suffering from depression. It is said that anti-depressants help eliminate OCD. It is quite possible that even after all this, therapy or medications do not work. In that case, ElectroConvulsive Therapy, Deep Brain Stimulations and even Clinic Trials are proved to be of great help.

It is very important to note that people suffering from OCD do not want to be in such a situation since half of the time they are not even aware that they are trapped with a disorder. Sometimes, all we need to do is try to be empathetic and support them no matter what or how the situation turns out to be. After all, it’s a disorder, not a decision!

Written by: Jiya Gurnani