OCD – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, Types, Self- help, Treatment

You
have closed the door and checked it multiple times. You have washed your hands
and still repeating washing as you think it is still dirty. You are checking
the gas burner multiple times before sleeping. You think that some things
should be in a particular order. If you are behaving like this, you are
suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD. It is a mental condition
that affects our day-to-day life. Before proceeding further let us understand
the meaning of OCD.

OCD
– Meaning and Definition

As
per the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM) obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition in which a person gets thoughts that are
beyond his control. The patient also feels an urge to perform certain
compulsive and repetitive behaviors.

Meriam
Webster’s dictionary defines OCD as an anxiety disorder where obsessive and
compulsive thoughts come to mind. Such thoughts affect day to day routine of
those affected.

As
per the meaning given in Oxford Learner’s Dictionary OCD is a mental condition
in which a person feels the urge to repeat certain actions or activities to
keep away the unpleasant thoughts.

In
short, we can define OCD as an anxiety disorder in which chronic thoughts come
to mind and it compels the patient to indulge in certain repetitive behavior
like washing hands or checking locks.

What
Causes and Risk Factors of OCD

What
causes OCD is still not determined. But yes, there are certain factors that may
increase the likelihood of OCD and may worsen the disease. These risk factors
are as follows.

• People
  whose parents and siblings are suffering from this disease have greater chances
  of developing OCD. So, it hints toward genetic and hereditary causes.
• Distorted
  Beliefs can also lead to OCD.
• Physical
  difference in certain parts of the brain is attributed as the reason.
• Medical
  conditions like depression, anxiety and tics may lead to OCD.
• Those
  who have gone through trauma can also develop OCD.
• People
  who have been sexually abused in childhood have a greater chance to develop OCD.
• Children
  might develop OCD after streptococcal infection.

Symptoms
of OCD

Once
we have understood the causes and warning signs of obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD), it is time to learn about the symptoms of OCD. These are as
follows.

• Worries
  about dirt and infection
• Arranging
  things in a particular order
• Fear
  of harming oneself and others
• Obtrusive
  thoughts about religion and sex
• Avoiding
  touching objects for the fear of contamination
• Doubts
  about locking the door
• Counting
  currency several times
• Seeking
  reassurance
• Checking
  gas stove several times
• Repeating
  certain word or phrases silently
• Avoidance
  of shaking hands as my trigger washing
• Sexual
  images that you don’t see in normal times

What
are the Types of OCD

The
types of obsessive-compulsive disorder can be described on symptoms. Here OCD
can be divided into different types based on behavior patterns.

Organizing
Things

Organization
is the most common form of OCD in which a person tries to arrange things in a
particular order. People insist on following symmetry while organizing things.
Like bottles in a refrigerator should be in a particular order or plants should
be of the same size.

Fear
of Contamination

In some cases, people suffering from OCD have
a fear of contamination. They think that people that come in touch might
contaminate them or common things or surfaces they touch may have germs. So,
people suffering from such types of OCD have the habit of washing their hands
frequently.

Intrusive
Thinking

In
such a situation, intrusive ideas come to your mind. Some random thoughts keep
crossing the mind. The affected person may have thought that he may hurt
someone, he may injure someone or his harmful thinking could be true. To keep
such thoughts away he may shout something or repeat some words silently.
Interestingly, the affected person doesn’t agree with the intrusive thoughts.
This situation may lead to distress and anxiety.

Ruminating
Thoughts

In
this type of OCD, the affected person may stick with some ideas. The ideas
could be of varied types. The affected person might try to find an answer to
his question and may leave the work at hand.

Checking
OCD

Some
persons with OCD might have an urge to check. For example, he may check whether
the doors are locked, the switches are off, and the money is put properly in
the purse. In some situations, they might count currency multiple times.

Self
Help for OCD

One
can better manage OCD by following certain self-help tips. Here we list some
self-care tips you might find useful.

Get
the Facts Right

Suffering
from OCD is frustrating. You might think why me. Instead of pitying, you should
get your facts right. As per data from NIMH around 2 percent of people in the
USA suffer from this anxiety disorder.

Know
the Reality

You
should understand that the fears you have are not realistic. You should write
your fearing thoughts and know whether they are real. It will help you in a
great way.

Exercise
Can Help

Several
studies have found that exercise in conjunction with regular exercise can
reduce the symptoms of OCD to a certain extent.

Accept
the Effects of OCD

You
should understand how OCD is impacting your daily life negatively. Only then
you would be able to fight it out. Write down how is it making your life worse
and resolve to fight it out.

Keep
a Notebook

You
should keep a notebook along with you and write down the intrusive thoughts
that come to your mind. Read it aloud and you will feel how baseless they are.

Resist
the Repetition

You
should go slow on your repetitive behavior. If you are checking the doors 5
times, make it a goal to reduce it to 3 times in the coming week. And keep
lowering it until it comes back to normal.

Don’t
Feed the Rituals

If
you feel an urgency to perform a ritual and you can’t stop, you should try to
delay it. By delaying it your anxiety gets lowered. You may not feel like
performing it after a certain period.

Read
Books on OCD

There
are several books that have been written for people suffering from OCD. These
books can help you resists and delay the rituals. Scour the internet for these
books.

Also Read

10 OCD Self Help Books That Help You Control OCD Like a Pro

Learn
to Relax

Relaxation
techniques in conjunction with medication can help you reduce the symptoms of
OCD. Learn yoga, meditation and other relaxation techniques.

Diagnosis
of OCD

Modern
medicine works on first diagnosis then prescribing. So before heading towards
treatment let us know how OCD is diagnosed.

Psychological
Evaluation

In
such a diagnosis, a medical consultant evaluates your thoughts, feelings and
behavior pattern. He seeks your permission to talk to people around you so that
he can have more understanding of your situation.

DSM
5 Criteria

Your
doctor may use DSM 5 criteria prescribed by American Psychiatric Association.
DSM 5 is a tool and mental guide for diagnosing mental health.

Physical
Examination

A
doctor performs a physical examination to find out if there is an underlying
health issue that is causing symptoms.

Treatment
of OCD

When
it comes to the treatment of OCD, there are various treatment options
available. Here we list some of the most popular treatments for OCD.

Also Read

OCD Therapist – Choosing the Right OCD Therapist Made Easy

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy
as a treatment of OCD is highly popular worldwide. The most common form of
psychotherapy is Cognitive Behavior Therapy CBT treatment. This treatment
involves Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) where patients are exposed to
dirt and other feared materials and taught to resist the urge to perform
compulsive rituals.

Also Read

10 Self-Help Books on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Psychopharmacology

Under
this treatment, medicines are administered as a part of the treatment. Most of
the time antidepressants are given as the first line of treatment.

Electroconvulsive
Therapy (ECT)

In
cases where CBT and medication don’t work doctors use electroconvulsive
therapy. In this treatment, electrodes are attached to the head to give a shock
to the brain. These shocks have a therapeutic effect.

Transcranial
Magnetic Stimulation TMS

In
such a treatment, a magnetic instrument is fixed on the head. Through this
instrument, magnetic waves are sent to the brain that releases certain
chemicals. These chemicals have mood uplifting effects.

Famous
Persons With OCD

OCD
is just not limited to the common man but a large number of celebrities and
renowned personalities are also its victims. Here is the list.

Billy
Bob Thornton

Billy
Bob Thornton is a famous actor in America. He fears antique furniture and
certain kinds of silverware.

Nicolas
Cage

Nicolas
Cage is a multiple award-winning actor and filmmaker. He is better known for
his films Valley Girl, Raising Arizona, and Moonstruck among the others.

Howard
Stern

Howard
Stern wears many hats. He is a comedian, author, and radio & TV presenter.
He has various awards to his credit. He admitted that he is suffering from OCD
on the show Miss America.

Michelle
Mone

Besides
being a parliamentarian Michelle Mone is also a well-known businesswoman.

Jessica
Alba

Jessica
Alba is an American actress who also appears on TV. She is also the owner of
some businesses. Honey, Fantastic Four, and Good Luck Chuck are her famous
films.

John
Abraham

John
Abraham is an Indian model and actor who has worked in several notable films
like Jism, Force, and Baabul among the others. He is obsessed with arranging
things in a particular order.

David
Beckham

OCD
has also affected ace footballers like David Beckham. As per his own admission,
he is obsessed with arranging things in straight line or having things in
pairs.

Katy
Perry

Katy
Perry is known for her multiple talent including singing, songwriting,
television personality and actress. She has the fear of germaphobe and follows
an annoying cleaning ritual.

Leonardo
DiCaprio

Leonardo
DiCaprio is an actor who is better known for his films like Titanic and The
Aviator is also known to have mild OCD. He feels a compulsion to walk through a
door multiple times or step on chewing gum stains.

Fiona
Apple

Fiona
Apple is a US-based singer and songwriter. As per her own admission, OCD has
severely impacted her career.