OCD means Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It affects millions of people all around the world. It is a neuropsychiatric condition. Obsessions and compulsions or a combination of two describe this illness.
Obsessions are uncontrolled, unwanted, and troublesome recurring thoughts, urges, and doubts that cause anxiety. They are distracting and interrupt a person’s academic, social and work-life.
Compulsions are the behaviours or actions a person affected by OCD does due to obsessions. These behaviours are usually repetitive. Compulsions help alleviate anxiety.
For example, an average person may check if the doors and windows are closed, and appliances are turned off once before leaving home. But OCD sufferers will keep double-checking and rechecking the doors, windows and stoves and feel anxious to leave home.
Some Facts About OCD
The mean age of onset of OCD is 19.5 years (SE = 1.0). However, OCD shows bimodal distribution predominantly. It commonly occurs in children between the age of 8 and 12 or between the late teens or early adulthood. The International OCD Foundation estimates that about 1 in 100 adults in the US have OCD, while 1 in 200 children and teens suffer from the disorder. It is also found that OCD is also slightly more common in women than men.
OCD is significantly associated with other comorbidities. The most common comorbid conditions are anxiety disorders (75.8%), followed by mood disorders (63.3%), impulse-control disorders (55.9%), and substance use disorders (38.6%).
What are OCD’s Symptoms?
Having a few intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours does NOT necessarily mean you are suffering from OCD.
OCD sufferer experiences anxiety and a lot of stress with these intrusive thoughts. It adversely affects a person’s life and takes up much time. It affects their social relationships and hinders their day-to-day activities.
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The following are examples of symptoms of OCD.
Common obsessive thoughts are:
- Contamination; Concern about contaminating others or being contaminated with germs or dirt.
- Harming; is the fear of harming oneself or someone else if you lose control.
- Sexual; intrusive images or thoughts that are sexually explicit or violent.
- Religious; a preoccupation with religion or morals.
- Exactness or Symmetry; is the belief that everything must line up “exactly right.”
- Superstitions; are undue devotion to something considered lucky or unlucky.
Common compulsive behaviours in OCD include
- Checking; Testing everything, such as locks, appliances, and switches.
- Counting; Reduce anxiety by counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing things that make no sense.
- Washing; preoccupying oneself with washing.
- Praying; Practising excessive rituals caused by religious fear or praying excessively.
OCD Symptoms in Children
While the usual age of onset for OCD is the late teens or early 20s, there are some cases of early onset of OCD in children.
The symptoms in children are not much more different from the adult OCD. However, it can occur in children with other mental disorders such as Attention deficit Hyperactivity disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Touretter’s syndrome.
Some examples are:
- Continuously thinking about or saying something (for example, counting, repeating words out loud or silently)
- Overdoing certain things (e.g., hand washing, placing things in the same order, and checking whether the door is locked)
- The repeated practice of doing something in a particular way, according to specific rules, alleviates an obsession.
How OCD Symptoms Can Get Worse Over Time
OCD is a lifelong disorder and can affect a person’s life depending upon the severity of the disorder. If OCD is left untreated, it can get worse. Along with that, many other factors contribute to worsening the symptoms of OCD.
The research has shown that comorbidities play a significant role in worsening OCD. About 90% of people suffering from OCD have the comorbidities such as:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Panic disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Specific phobia
- Social anxiety disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance abuse
- Tourette’s syndrome
Symptoms of Worsened OCD
These worsening symptoms have adverse effects on a person’s life. These symptoms can socially isolate a person, even worsening the situation. Some of the effects of worsened symptoms are
- Panic attacks
- Loss of concentration at work
- Poor grades in academics
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Physical and emotional distress
How to Deal with OCD
OCD is treatable. With proper medication and therapy, you can even get rid of OCD. There are many ways to stop OCD thoughts from interfering in your life. Some of the best are enlisted here.
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Medication
- Manage stress
- Seek Social Support
Takeaway
OCD is a mental disorder that can interfere with your social life and make it difficult. It affects people all around the world. Through psychotherapy and coping, you can manage OCD. If left untreated, It can worsen over time.
