“It’s like you have two brains- a rational brain and an irrational brain. And they’re constantly fighting” - Emilie Ford on OCD
How many times have you said, or have heard other people say something like “I need to keep my room organized all the time, I have OCD.” The reality is that the term obsessive-compulsive disorder is thrown around too loosely. Diagnosing OCD is usually not that simple, and there needs to be a test done by a licensed psychologist. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined as a mental illness that can cause repeated unwanted thoughts, the urge to keep doing things again and again, or have sensations (obsessions). OCD is not about simple habits like biting your nails, or arranging your cupboard (in some cases it might be). In many people, OCD can manifest itself in the form of wanting to wash your hands multiple times because you thought you touched something dirty. The person suffering from this also will find it very difficult to stop, and this in turn would affect their social life. Multiple people with OCD are self-aware that their obsessions are impossible and unrealistic, whereas some people might believe that they are real. Even if a person knows that their obsessions are unrealistic, they find it difficult to distance themselves from such obsessive thoughts, or being able to stop their compulsive actions. According to researchers, a diagnosis of OCD has to require the existence of obsessions or compulsions that consume a lot of your time, in most cases around more than one hour a day, and disrupt their daily routine and functioning.
Obsessions
Obsessions are persistent and recurring thoughts, images, impulses etc. that can cause unsettling emotions such as disgust, anxiety etc. As stated above, a lot of people suffering from OCD are aware that these thoughts, images, and impulses are caused due to their own mind, but these intrusions cannot be easily solved with reasoning and logic. This is why people with OCD try to keep their obsessions under control by giving in to their compulsions, trying their best to avoid it, or diverting their attention from it. Some commonly known examples of obsession:
Germaphobia or a fear of getting contaminated by others, or your immediate surroundings.
Irrational fear of losing important objects.
Fear of using inappropriate/obscene language in a public place.
Perfectionism and a heightened fixation with symmetry, order etc.
Repetitive intrusive thoughts of images, sounds etc.
Compulsions
Compulsions are defined as repetitive behaviors that a person feels compelled to do to satisfy their obsession. These behaviors are said to reduce or prevent the individual’s discomfort related to their obsession. These are usually direct responses to an obsession, but in some cases can be completely different in relating to their primary obsession. Person with an extremely severe case of OCD may spend a lot of their working hours in fulfilling their compulsions which would hinder them from being productive during the day. Some commonly known examples of compulsion are:
Constant and repetitive cleaning and tidying.
Constantly checking if everything in your house is switched off.
Always asking for other people’s approval and constantly seeking validation.
Counting the numbers or reciting the alphabet repeatedly.
Ritualized daily routine such as fixed times for hand washing, tidying etc.
Causes
The causes for obsessive-compulsive disorder are not fully known, but the common theories doctors believe are biology, genetics, excessive stress, and in some cases the brain having functional, and structural abnormalities.
Risk Factors
Though it might not be possible to pinpoint one certain cause for OCD, it is definitely possible to identify risk factors contributing to its development. Some of these are: 1. Traumatic events- If the individual has experienced traumatic events, their risk of developing OCD will be higher. 2. Family history- If someone from your family is diagnosed with OCD, it might increase your risks too. 3. Other mental illnesses- OCD can be connected to other mental disorders for example anxiety, depression, etc.
Treatment
As of right now there is no fixed cure for OCD, but there are ways in which it is possible to deal with it. Some of these ways are:
Meditation
This is a very basic step, and may not be fully effective, but meditation and yoga can help a bit in being focused. As long as the person can manage to focus on one thing, they would be able to fight off their obsessive compulsive needs for at least a short period of time.
Psychotherapy
Various forms of psychotherapies, for example cognitive behavioral therapy can help in changing people’s patterns of thinking. Your psychiatrist may also conduct exposure and response prevention sessions, so your obsessive-compulsive tendencies will lessen.
Medication
If nothing seems to be working, your psychiatrist will prescribe you medication. Do keep in mind that you should not consume medication without consulting a doctor first.
Other treatments which are only used rarely in serious cases are Intensive outpatient programs / Intensive residential treatment programs, Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.
How to live with OCD?
Eat Healthy
Try to eat healthy food, and eat it regularly. You should maintain your blood sugar, so you do not get tired constantly.
Stick to medicines
As tempted as you may be, do not give in to drugs, or alcohol because it will only worsen your condition.
Sleep
Create a proper sleep routine, and do not stay up late at night on your phone screens.
Exercise
It has been said already so many times, but being active definitely helps. It keeps your mind and also your body healthy.
Seek Support
You are not in this alone, you can always seek friends, or a support group to make yourself feel better, and have a good perspective of yourself.
Takeaway Message
In conclusion, OCD is not as simple as it looks, and there are many layers to it. One should not look down on OCD as something trivial because it is a source of difficulty and pain for many people. On the other hand, it also should not be overly sensationalized because it is normal, and the ones who have it should be able to seek help and support.
References
verywellmind.com
webmd.com
psychiatry.org
mayoclinic.org
Comments