What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? What are the symptoms?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition that involves obsessions, compulsions, or both. It affects people in different ways. However, it usually causes a certain pattern of thought and behavior. People living with OCD often experience obsessions, or thoughts that create an extreme desire to repeat a particular behavior. They then activate this urge to help relieve obsessive thinking.

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder in which unwanted thoughts and feelings are frequently experienced, causing repetitive behaviors. Repetitive behaviors can significantly interfere with social interactions and performing daily tasks.

Many people without OCD also have intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors. However, these do not usually disrupt daily life. Many people double-check to make sure they have locked the front door or turned off the stove. It is also very common to have a few superstitions, such as knocking on wood or wearing your team’s jersey during a match. Although these habits may help you feel more confident, they do not suggest OCD. UN For people living with it, these rituals are not a matter of personal preference. On the contrary, they are events that complicate daily life. Many people with this disorder recognize that the thoughts and beliefs that fuel their compulsions are irrational or at least unlikely. However, they take action for the following purposes:

In people with OCD, thoughts are persistent and intrusive, and behaviors are rigid. Not doing the behaviors often causes great distress. It is thought that there will be a certain fear of dire consequences if the behaviors are not completed.

Obsessions

Obsessions; Persistent, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that keep coming back and cause distress or anxiety. You can try to ignore them or get rid of them by acting ritually. These obsessions usually occur when you try to think or do other things. The content of obsessive thoughts can vary greatly. But a few common themes include:

• Concerns about germs, dirt, or illness
• Fear of harming yourself or someone else
• Fear of saying something obscene
• The need for things to be aligned, orderly or symmetrical
• Sexual or violent thoughts
• Anxiety about throwing things away
• Intrusive images, words or sounds

These unwanted and intrusive thoughts keep coming back no matter how hard you try to ignore or suppress them. Their persistence may lead to a stronger belief that these things may be true or that they may happen if you don’t take the necessary steps to prevent them.

Compulsions (Compulsions, Repetitive Actions)

They are repetitive behaviors that you feel compelled to do. These repetitive behaviors or mental actions are meant to reduce anxiety about your obsessions or to prevent something bad from happening. But engaging in compulsions provides no pleasure and may provide only limited relief from anxiety.

When you have obsessive thoughts, you can make up rules or rituals to help you control your anxiety. These compulsions are irrational and often unrelated to the problem they are intended to correct. Like obsessions, compulsions often have themes such as:

• Washing hands, objects or body
• Organizing or aligning objects in a particular way
• Counting or repeating certain phrases
• touching something a certain number of times
• Seeking reassurance from others
• Collecting certain objects or purchasing several of the same item
• Storing objects you could use to harm yourself or someone else
• Mentally reviewing your actions to make sure you’re not harming anyone else

You can think of compulsions as a response to obsessions. When an obsession arises, you may feel compelled to take action to relieve the anxiety and distress it causes or to prevent this obsessive thought from occurring. You may feel the need to repeat these actions a certain number of times or until things look just right. If you make a mistake during the ritual, you may feel like it won’t work unless you start over and finish it perfectly.

What are the Types of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

clinically recognized types of obsessive compulsive disorder There is no. Still, obsessions and compulsions tend to revolve around some common themes:

• Checking: This involves constantly worrying that you are doing something wrong or that something bad will happen. So you check the locks, alarm system, oven or light switches over and over again.
• Pollution: It is the fear of things that might be dirty or the feeling of having to clean them. You may refuse to touch doorknobs, use public restrooms, or shake hands.
• Symmetry and arrangement: It is the need for things to be ordered in a certain way. It also involves compulsive counting or repetitive actions. It may be based on a completely unrealistic obsession, such as worrying that someone will die if you don’t hit the table a certain number of times.
• Thoughts and intrusive thoughts: This is an obsession with a train of thought. Some of these thoughts may be severe or disturbing.
• Postpartum OCD: The change in hormones during and after pregnancy and the additional responsibilities of parenthood are sometimes thought to lead to a certain type of OCD. Postpartum or prenatal OCD involves thoughts and behaviors that revolve around the baby. This includes actions such as constantly fearing that something bad will happen or over-disinfecting baby items.

What are the causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Although it is not known for certain causes of obsessive compulsive disorder and the symptoms it creates are thought to be related to the way it manages certain chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain, especially serotonin. However, it is not known what causes the differences. Genetic factors may cause OCD. Although stress does not directly cause OCD, it can worsen symptoms, especially when dealing with change. OCD may also occur for the first time after a traumatic event or life transition, such as moving, the birth of a sibling, marriage, or divorce.

What are the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

There is no test for OCD. A physician makes a diagnosis after asking questions about your symptoms and medical and mental health history. Doctors use criteria described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V) to diagnose OCD. According to these criteria obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms can be listed as follows:

• Having obsessions, compulsions, or both.
• Obsessions or compulsions last too long
• Obsessions or compulsions cause distress. It affects participation in social activities, work responsibilities, or other life events.
• The symptoms cannot be explained by a different mental health condition, such as generalized anxiety disorder, an eating disorder, or body image disorder.

How is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treated?

The most common treatment plan for OCD includes psychotherapy and medication. OCD patients who receive appropriate treatment often experience increased quality of life and improved functionality. Treatment can improve an individual’s ability to function at school and work, develop and enjoy relationships, and pursue leisure activities. Another influential obsessive compulsive disorder treatment Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), also known as exposure and response prevention (ERP).