Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

This is a mental disorder that involves having a wide episode of unwanted thoughts, causing a person to repeat their movements. This condition can affect the victim’s day-to-day life.This condition manifests in everyone to a lesser extent. For instance, when a person checks if they left the iron on two to three times in a row, this is not a lifestyle. There is OCD and OCPD, in which both are almost the same, but there is one that is much more extreme than the other.

SYMPTOMS OF OCD 

Obsession Sided Symptoms

These involve unwanted thoughts or images that cause an intense manifestation of fear and anxiety attacks. These thoughts are unintentional, unplanned, and intrusive. Victims of this condition cannot control when these thoughts come and subside. The individuals who find themselves with such symptoms should consider getting an OCD treatment in India.  

• Fear of germs, cautious of touching surfaces and items
• Afraid of causing harm to people when there is a manifestation
• Unwanted sexual thoughts 
• Afraid of making mistakes 
• Extremely concerned with doing right or wrong 
• Feeling disgusted 
• Always doubtful
• Extremely neat and perfect 
• Need for constant reassurance 

Compulsion Sided Symptoms

These are actions that the victim does repeatedly in order to avoid manifestations and obsessions. It is more of a mandate for the victims to do this because they think it will help in subsiding their anxiety. Failure to do this will lead to an increased attack of anxiety. 

• Arranging things in an orderly way 
• Overdoing activities like washing hands and taking a shower 
• Hoarding that is of no use 
• Checking things repeatedly 
• Excessive concern for not causing a person harm 
• Repeatedly counting numbers 

CAUSES OF OCD 

Genetic Causes – This is when a certain relative or family member, like the parents, has the same condition. It is directly passed to a child, and in some cases, it will be intense in the individuals that it is passed on to. 

Brain Damage – The brain is a very delicate organ in the human body; it can be damaged easily if stressed and strained. There are some parts of the brain that cause neurological conditions if tampered with, and that includes OCD and sometimes epilepsy.

 PANDAS Syndrome – Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections.This is when some children have infections such as scarlet fever.

Childhood Trauma – When children are neglected or abused, OCD develops in them when they reach their teenage stage. 

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT 

• Cognitive behavioural therapy 
• Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy 
• Acceptance and commitment therapy 
• Medication such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline

HOW DO PEOPLE WITH OCD TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES? 

• Getting enough sleep 
• Regular exercising 
• Healthy diet 
• Spending time with trusted and loved ones 
• Relaxation techniques 
• Meditation 
• Joining OCD support group

In conclusion, OCD is a mental disorder that involves having a wide episode of unwanted thoughts, causing a person to repeat their movements. This condition can affect the victim’s day-to-day life, and it is there for a lifetime. This condition can be treated and managed, and it can be done with the help of a psychiatrist. Although there are many psychiatrists in India, there are always the most recommended ones. Those are supposed to be patronized for effective results.