Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that is based on obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that reoccur and cannot be controlled. These can also be urges or images.
On the other hand, compulsions are strong urges to complete certain behaviours to calm these thoughts down. People with OCD perform compulsive behaviours that are repetitive and follow rigid rules. They often fear a bad consequence if these compulsions are not completed.
Some common compulsions and repetitive behaviours include hand washing, cleaning, counting, rearranging, and constantly checking on things. In severe cases, the repetitions can be very time-consuming and last for hours.
These obsessive, unwanted thoughts and compulsions cause significant distress in people with OCD. They can also greatly impact their daily life and interpersonal relationships.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the standard classification of mental disorders in the US. It used to define OCD as an anxiety disorder. However, the most current edition (DMS-5) removed it from this category. OCD is now located under its section called ‘Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders’.
The exact causes of OCD are not known yet. Scientists believe that different factors play a role. These include family history, different brain activity, and environmental factors such as major life changes.
OCD seems to be a disorder that runs in the family. This means having parents or other family members with OCD can increase the chances of developing OCD. However, it is not clear yet if this happens only due to genetics or is also learned from watching.
OCD Symptoms often improve after taking a serotonin medication. Serotonin is a chemical messenger substance in our brain. That is why research suggests that OCD involves low levels or disbalance of serotonin.
Sometimes, people with OCD also suffer from other mental health disorders. These include anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. They are also considered as risk factors for developing OCD.
The disorder often begins in teens or young adults and affects both men and women.
OCD is a broad term for a mental illness that is based on obsessions and compulsions. It is diagnosed using the criteria in the DSM-5.
OCD often centres around certain themes. Based on this, there are infinite possible types of this disorder.
There are no official subtypes of OCD. However, scientists suggest four main categories. This is based on how obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions present themselves in specific symptoms.
The four categories are contamination, organization, checking, and rumination/intrusive thoughts. The treatment among these various subtypes is the same.
Some related disorders fall into the same DSM-5 category as OCD. These include skin-picking disorder and hair-pulling disorder but also hoarding disorder and body dysmorphic disorder.
One distinction should be made between OCD and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). OCD is an anxiety disorder with obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviours. OCPD is a personality disorder with symptoms that might overlap with those of OCD.
OCPD is defined by constant control and perfectionism. Symptoms of OCPD are perfectionism with a strong focus on order and organization. OCD symptoms can fluctuate with the person’s level of anxiety. People with OCPD, on the contrary, tend to behave persistently over time.
A combination of talk therapy and medication can be helpful for both conditions.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms mostly include both obsessions and compulsions. Some people with OCD might also only have one or both.
Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that cause distress and anxiety. They can occur at any time, often while doing other things. Signs of obsession include fear of germs or of harming yourself or others by accident or on purpose. They also include doubts, the need for symmetry or perfection and unpleasant images.
Compulsions are intense urges to complete certain rituals or routines. Their goal is to calm down the obsessive thoughts. Signs of compulsion include excessive washing and cleaning, repeatedly checking certain things, and counting or arranging things.
There are different options to help someone with obsessive-compulsive disorders:
Therapy
Seeking the help of a health professional is one of the most important steps in managing this disorder. Therapy is one of the first-line treatments for OCD. Support groups and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) are two of the mainstays in treatment.
CBT involves identifying thought patterns that are contributing to the disorder. It also implements behavioural therapy to try and change the behaviours associated with them.
So-called exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the most important type of CBT for OCD. This includes practising confronting the thoughts or images that trigger anxiety and/or obsessions. The prevention part means choosing to not respond with compulsive behaviour to these triggers.
Medication
A type of antidepressant called Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs) seems to be most effective for OCD. SRIs increase and regulate the concentration of serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical messenger in the brain, regulating our mood.
The idea behind their effectiveness is that serotonin imbalance can lead to anxiety disorders. SRIs often show the best results when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Medications such as antidepressants should always be taken with the advice of a health professional. They can have unwanted side effects.
Self-care
Self-care can also help to manage OCD. Some tips include:
- Identify triggers and resist compulsive rituals using a fear ladder.
- Write down your obsessive thoughts and challenge them.
- Relaxation techniques, going on a walk, soothing music, or a warm bath can help lower your overall stress.
- A healthy lifestyle can ease OCD.
This includes:
- eating foods packed with healthy nutrients
- getting active with regular exercise
- getting enough sleep
- avoiding alcohol and nicotine
- avoiding caffeine and foods or drinks high in sugar
Limiting the anxiety-producing stimulus
Treating co-occurring mental health conditions is very important. Many of the coexisting disorders can lead to the feeling of overwhelm. These include anxiety and tic disorders, personality and dysmorphic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder etc.
Feeling overwhelmed can predispose to the development of OCD as a coping mechanism. It can also serve as an OCD trigger.
Treating these disorders can help to create mental space to address and possibly decrease OCD. Various herbal products are known to help with anxiety, such as passionflower.
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