What You Need to Know About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessions, compulsions, or both are all symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

• Obsessions are undesired and distressing thoughts, images, or urges that pop into one's head out of nowhere and create a lot of anxiety or suffering.

• Compulsions are conscious actions (such as washing, checking, or ordering) or mental activities (such as praying, counting, or repeating phrases) performed to alleviate the tension induced by obsessions.

What Does it Mean to Have “Obsessions”?

Obsessions come in a variety of forms, and many persons with OCD will have multiple obsessions. Obsessions that are common include:

This preoccupation stems from a fear of contracting germs, becoming ill or infecting others by handling “dirty” or “contaminated” goods, sticky substances, or chemicals. For example, “the fear of being polluted by germs or dust particles if I pick up something from the floor”. 

This obsession is characterized by persistent doubts about whether you've done anything incorrectly or made a mistake. For example, “I believe I made a spelling error in the email I just sent.”

Adults who have these obsessions are terrified of causing harm to themselves or others by being irresponsible. For example, “The dread of being robbed and killed because the flat door is not properly secured at night” or “Fear of bringing germs home and making the entire family sick if I don’t immediately change out of my work clothes and wash them with bleach.”

Adults with this fixation have a strong urge to position objects in a precise sequence or location or to complete tasks or events in a specific way. For example, “I need to organize all of my items by colour and have them all facing the same way.”

Repugnant refers to something repulsive. Obsessions include unwanted ideas, visions, or impulses of doing something awful to a loved one (e.g., tossing your infant from a balcony, leaping off a bridge); sexual obsessions (e.g., thoughts of sexually touching someone without his or her will); and religious obsessions.

What Does It Mean to Have “Compulsions”?

These actions are taken to prevent something bad from happening. Repeated checking, on the other hand, typically makes people feel even less confident that they have effectively avoided the terrible event. Here are a few examples:

Excessive washing and cleaning behaviour falls under this kind of compulsion. You could, for example, wash your hands excessively, observe complex cleaning routines and restrictions in the bathroom or kitchen.

This category includes actions that ensure that something is done correctly, that everyone is safe, and that no mistakes are made. You may, for example, double-check that doors are secured, stoves are switched off, and electrical plugs are unplugged regularly. Checking to see whether everyone is okay and not in danger Checking may also mean making sure you haven't made any mistakes (for example, re-reading emails several times to “check” for spelling/grammar errors ).

This type of compulsion is organizing objects such as clothing, books, and shoes in certain patterns. For example, you may organize all of the items in the closet according to colour, with all of the hangers facing the same way. Adults who suffer from this tendency may rearrange items until they “feel right.” Some will do it to avoid terrible things happening; for example, “If I don't rearrange all of my books and periodicals in the home so that they face east, someone in my family will die.”

These are mental compulsions. You might, for example, mentally repeat a prayer anytime you have negative thoughts, or you could substitute a “bad” idea (such as your mother dying) with a “positive” one (e.g. mom smiling and in good health).

Some individuals with OCD are terrified of doing or thinking anything “wrong,” therefore they feel compelled to confess all of their ideas to friends or family (for example, telling a loved one, “I just had a thought about shoving someone into the street”). Most persons who feel compelled to confess will also seek confirmation that everything is fine (for example, asking a loved one whether they still love them despite having a negative idea).

Some individuals with OCD have a difficult time discarding items that others consider to be worthless or of low value. Hoarding can result in an excessive amount of clutter in the house, which can make everyday life difficult. Some people, for example, are unable to discard receipts, financial records, or old newspapers.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

It's natural for everyone to have disturbing or illogical ideas now and again. Obsessions aren't defined by having a particularly terrible idea. People frequently repeat specific behaviours, such as double-checking whether the door is locked. These aren't necessarily compulsions, though.

What Are OCD Treatment Options?

1. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – Obsessions, anxiety, compulsions, and relief are all part of the OCD cycle. CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches you how to think, act, and react to negative ideas and behaviours. The objective is to substitute positive thoughts with negative ones.

2. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) – This is a particular type of cognitive behavioural therapy, where you will be gradually exposed to the things that cause anxiety. Instead of your usual routines, you'll learn new methods to respond to them. ERP is a procedure that you may perform alone or with your family in one-on-one sessions with a mental health professional or group therapy.

3. Medication – Antidepressants are frequently recommended as the first treatment for OCD. Antidepressants are also used to treat OCD, so it doesn't always indicate you're sad. Depending on your age, health, and symptoms, your doctor could prescribe clomipramine.