Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition where patterns of unreasonable thoughts and fears develop that cause a person to be compelled to perform needless repetitive actions. The fear creates the obsession and the repeated actions are the compulsion as the patient is unable to control them. The obsession and compulsion together form OCD. An example of OCD is an irrational fear of germs that leads to uncontrollable and excessive washing of hands. OCD is a serious condition that can have a bad effect on the quality of the patient’s life and his ability to perform professionally or socially.
A person suffering from OCD typically suffers from both obsessions and compulsions, but in some cases, it may be only obsessions or compulsions and not the other. Even in such cases it is a serious matter as both the obsessions and compulsions can ruin life and relationships.
Causes
OCD may be caused by:
- Changes in the body’s chemistry or alterations in brain function.
- Genetic traits. If OCD runs in the family, a person is more likely to suffer from it.
- Environmental factors that cause fears and insecurities that turn into obsessions and compulsions.
The Symptoms of Obsession
Obsessions are unwanted thoughts or urges that cannot be controlled. Trying to ignore them only increases the anxiety and stress of the patient. Among the most common symptoms are:
- Unreasonable fear of dirt or infections.
- The need to have everything orderly and exactly in place.
- Aggressive thought patterns often involving harm to self or others.
- Unwanted obsessions with sex, religion, etc.
Symptoms of Compulsion
Compulsion take the form of repetitive actions that the patient is unable to stop doing, even though he knows they make no sense. Initially performing these acts or rituals may relieve some of the anxiety caused by obsession, but this is short lived and over time the compulsions tend to become stronger. Among the most common symptoms are:
- Excessive washing and cleaning
- Repeatedly checking to see if an action has been performed correctly
- Following a strict routine and feeling great stress if it is broken, even for a short time
- Demanding that every object is always exactly in its designated place and becoming unreasonably upset if it is not
The Effect
A person suffering from OCD will be under immense mental stress and be continually restless. This will affect his ability to perform normal daily tasks and that, in turn, may increase the extent of the OCD. Additionally, the unreasonable behaviour and demands of an OCD patient can make him very difficult to live with which is why this condition is responsible for so many broken relationships.
Treatment
While some doctors prescribe medication to control OCD, this is usually a last resort because of the side effects that often arise and the addictions to the medicines that frequently develop. A far better option is to go in for counselling. A professional counselor will be able to work with the patient to reveal the source of the obsessions and compulsions. Once this is done, the patient and counselor work towards creating a mental level or equilibrium that allows the patient to control the OCD and bring his life back to normal so that work, social interactions and relationships can once again function normally. Online counselling enables patients to get the help they need in the comfort of their own homes.