Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD is a serious mental illness which is often debilitating. It is characterised by obsessions and/or compulsions which manifest in the form of repeated behaviours These behaviours might sometimes occupy most of the waking hours of the patient. While most people might experience unpleasant thoughts but these tend to pass and you are able to distract yourself from them.  OCD symptoms may begin anytime but usually start between late childhood and young adulthood. Most people with OCD are diagnosed as young adults.

A person with OCD has no control over their thoughts. Untreated OCD leads to significant problems in interpersonal, occupational, academic and social functioning. 

Common symptoms:

  1. Obsessions : unwanted repetitive thoughts, images or behaviours which are a product of your own mind but you have no control over the same. Obsessions lead to distress and anxiety. 

Common obsessions include –

  • Fear of germs or contamination
  • Fear of forgetting, losing, or misplacing something
  • Fear of losing control over one’s behaviour
  • Aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself
  • Unwanted, forbidden, or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm
  • Desire to have things symmetrical or in perfect order
  1. Compulsions: repetitive behaviours which are performed to decrease the anxiety caused by obsessions. A person with compulsions experiences an intense and urgent urge of “I have to do it”. They have rules of performing compulsive behaviour (rituals) which are more often than not elaborate and time consuming.

Common compulsions include:

  • Excessive cleaning or hand washing
  • Ordering or arranging items in a particular, precise way
  • Repeatedly checking things, such as that the door is locked or the oven is off
  • Compulsive counting
  • Praying or repeating words silently

Not all repetitive thoughts are obsessions & not all rituals are compulsions. 

The symptoms of OCD may start slowly and can go away for a while or worsen as time passes. During times of stress, the symptoms often get worse. A person’s obsessions and compulsions also may change over time.

Issues related with untreated OCD: 

  • Academic failure 
  • Job difficulties 
  • Relationship issues 
  • Decreased concentration 
  • Emotional frustration 
  • Physical exhaustion
  • Depression 
  • Suicide