Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition in which a person gets certain thoughts, ideas, or sensations (obsessions) and feels an urge to carry out those tasks (compulsions). 

People who are affected with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) get thoughts that they know don't make any sense but are unable to avoid them. They don't enjoy these thoughts, and they are a source of discomfort for them. Everyone gets unwanted thoughts sometimes, that is not in control, but in people who have OCD, these thoughts and the urge to do a task becomes so great that it:

• Takes a significant amount of their time (at least an hour)
• Causes discomfort
• Interferes with normal life activities such as studying or work

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Symptoms:

The symptoms of OCD can include:

• Checking different things such as door lock, stove, light switches again and again
• Fear of being contaminated by germs
• Cleaning different things again and again
• Thinking that you have a medical condition like pregnancy or a disease
• Feeling the urge to arrange everything in order
• Doing a task such as washing hands again and again

Cause of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

The exact cause of OCD is unknown. However, some risk factors predispose a person to develop OCD.

Risk Factors for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

The risk factors that predispose a person to OCD include:

Gender: Females are more likely to develop OCD as compared to men.

Age: OCD mostly develops in teenagers and young adults.

Genetics: Having a positive family history of OCD predisposes an individual to a greater risk of acquiring it.

Structure of the brain: It has been found that people with OCD have slight changes in their brains as compared to people who don’t have it.

History of trauma: History of emotional trauma in childhood such as sexual abuse, physical trauma neglect can increase the likelihood of a person developing OCD in the future.

Other mental conditions: Individuals with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, are more likely to develop OCD.

Diagnosis of OCD:

OCD can be diagnosed by a psychotherapist after knowing about your thoughts and a detailed history of the symptoms you experience. 

Treatment of OCD:

The treatment of OCD may include the following:

Psychotherapy:

Psychotherapy can help you manage the symptoms of OCD. Your therapist may teach you how to overcome these kinds of thoughts, and resist them. They may expose you to situations that cause discomfort and urge you to do a certain task, and then help you manage those thoughts and control the compulsions.

Medications:

Your doctor may prescribe you medications to reduce the symptoms of OCD. They may prescribe you medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These medications are used in different mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, etc. 

Relaxation therapy:

Your doctor may suggest different strategies to relax, such as meditation, yoga, exercise, or massage therapy to relieve stress.

Conclusion

OCD is a mental health condition that may be very stressful to the individual having it. Everyone can get obsessive thoughts with compulsions to do a task to some extent. But in OCD, the symptoms start affecting normal life. But with proper treatment, the symptoms can be managed well, helping you live life normally. If you notice any symptoms of OCD in anyone around you or yourself, you should visit your doctor.