Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

After a long and tiring day, you decide to retire at night. Suddenly you realize you might still need to lock the front door. You get anxious and check to see if the door is closed. You relax once you have checked that the door is closed. This anxiety will keep you alert and aware of your surroundings.

These thoughts can become intrusive and recurrent. You may start worrying about it when you go to bed and return from checking the door to ensure it is locked. The worry remains even after you double-check the door and go to bed. These thoughts that make you anxious and interfere with your everyday life are called obsessions.

Some people have different obsessions. They may be obsessed with cleanliness and worry that they are infected even though they just washed their hands.

OCD can cause severe anxiety. To relieve their stress, people with OCD perform repetitive acts called compulsions.

Compulsions can provide temporary relief for people with OCD. In severe cases, the urge to repeat such actions can severely affect a person's ability to function. OCD is diagnosed when cyclical obsessions and compulsive behaviors interfere with a person's daily activities.

What are the symptoms?

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The compulsive behaviors of an individual detect OCD. The most common symptoms include:

CleanlinessPeople with a constant fear that they will be contaminated; wash their hands frequently and clean their house.
Some people are obsessed with order and symmetry. They may re-arrange books, cutlery, carpets, and pillows to relieve their anxiety.
Hoarding: People that cannot dispose of anything. They collect old clothes, newspapers, mail, and other items for no apparent reason.
Counting These people repeatedly count their possessions and objects they use in everyday life, like the number of stairs on a staircase or lights in a hall. They start over if they lose track.
Safety Some people are irrational about safety. They constantly check if the windows and doors are locked, the stove is off, etc.

You can encourage someone you know to seek help from a mental health specialist if you see them exhibiting such behaviors.

What is OCD?

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Several factors cause OCD.

Genetic Factors: OCD is sometimes inherited.
Biological/neurological factors: Some research links the development of OCD to a chemical imbalance of serotonin in the brain.
Significant life changes: A person may face more responsibility when they undergo substantial changes, such as the birth of a baby or a new career. This can trigger OCD.
Behavioral Factors: People with OCD are often organized, neat, and meticulous. They also like to take charge.
Personal Experience: An individual who has suffered severe trauma may be affected by OCD. Hand-washing obsessions can be triggered by, for example, a painful rash caused by touching a poisonous rat in the home.

Treatment for OCD

The treatment for OCD is very effective. Most people who are treated recover completely. Treatments for OCD can range from medications to therapy, depending on its severity. In mild cases of OCD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other therapies are enough. In severe cases, antidepressants may be prescribed.

How to care for someone with OCD

It can be challenging to deal with someone who has OCD. Remember that they are not trying to burden you but rather trying to manage their anxiety. You should talk to them and encourage them to seek help. This can be not easy and requires patience, as many people don't believe they need it. In some cases, people with OCD may feel ashamed of their obsessions. It is possible to play a role in assisting a person to overcome the problem. This may include encouraging them at times to face their fears. The first step is to seek professional assistance.

Looking after yourself

It can be beneficial to talk with someone you trust about your OCD. This can reduce your fear of obsessions. Playing a sport or any other physical activity can improve your mental health and help you to avoid intrusive thought patterns. Reaching out to a professional in mental health is the most essential thing you can do for yourself. They will help you develop an action plan to deal with OCD in addition to your regular treatment.