What does OCD mean?
OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder it is a mental disorder that occurs when individuals are caught in the cycle of compulsions and obsessions. It can also be said that the person who is suffering from OCD is always being plagued by a constant thought or fear that causes him to perform a specific routine. All these disturbing thoughts become the obsession of a person which makes them perform certain rituals which are known as compulsions.
In very simple terms OCD is a type of mental disorder that can cause unwanted and repetitive thoughts so that the person can get rid of unwanted thoughts so he or she perform some task or activity again and again.
For example, a person can fear everything he or she is touching as he has a fear that it might contain germs so to get rid of those fears that person will wash his hands again and again.
Sometimes the person who is suffering from OCD might understand that all these obsessions are way too unreasonable but trying to stop or ignore them can cause anxiety to them.
Causes of OCD
The exact causes for this mental disorder are still unknown, some research suggests that they can be a problem in one part of a brain that sends information to the other part. Serotonin is the name of chemical which is present in the brain that helps in sending messages to one part of the brain. The insufficiency of serotonin can cause stress and anxiety and plays a very important role in worsening the symptoms of OCD.
Several other reasons based on the genetic basis or depression also cause OCD.
Some facts about OCD
Fear of being contaminated by germs or fear of dirt.
It is one of the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder which is mostly found in children at a very young age 6 or 7. It is a very possible symptom of OCD which includes repetitive hand wash or bathing, and very unusual rituals like keeping or moving everything in a very particular order because they fear getting dirty.
Many times it is really difficult for parents to know that if their child’s preference or habit is something normal or can lead to something way more serious. If all these habits are interfering in their child’s life then a physician should be consulted.
The symptom appears during the teenage years
Many children start getting diagnosed with OCD from a very young age such as 6 or 7 years so it would not be very weird to say that some common symptoms emerged between adolescence or early adulthood. These symptoms are more clearly visible in boys than in girls.
Most people suffering from OCD are officially diagnosed until they reach the age of 19. However, it is also possible in some cases to discover it after the age of 35.
Family history increases the risk of the disorder
In many cases, the cause of OCD is unknown however it is proved that the brains of people who are suffering from OCD are different from those who are not suffering from this disorder. it has been noticed by health care professionals that if your parents, sibling, or anyone in the family have obsessive-compulsive disorder then the child also has an increased risk of developing it.
Having excessive doubt
All those people who are suffering from OCD tend to have excessive doubt in themselves or any other individual. They keep on checking themselves or their belongings again and again in a very similar order as they become very anxious because of their strong fear of being embarrassed.
Repeating things due to their fear of making mistakes
People with OCD are always building repeating things or arranging the items so that they can be kept in a very exact particular order. They persistently keep on counting while they are doing their persistent task. Not only with things but they also keep on repeating some specific words many times in a particular sentence.
They do this because they have a forceful or driving need to perform things in a very perfect and correct manner because of their constant fear of making mistakes.
OCD is a chronic condition and can be diagnosed only by trained professionals
There is no cure for OCD; however, treatment can control its symptoms and obsessions from interfering in your life. People who take OCD medicine to manage their symptoms should not discontinue their medications without consulting their healthcare provider when their obsessive thoughts seem to have gone away.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is related to a mental health condition and can only be diagnosed by trained professionals. These professionals look for evidence for their patience’s compulsions and obsessions and try to impact these thoughts and actions on their life. It takes a lot of time for your OCD treatment to work. Both medication and therapy take a lot of weeks to impact the behavior of the patient. Qualified professionals support and understand people who are pursuing their treatment.
People with OCD can also have depression or ADHD
Medication and therapy help a lot in improving many symptoms of OCD in many people but it is never always capable to address all the difficulties not an individual is experiencing. Some people with OCD also suffer from depression and ADHD(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or any other disorder related to eating or learning. Accurate and precise diagnosis of any medical health or health condition that occurs along with OCD helps a lot in the treatment and improves a lot in a person’s quality of life.
If a person is struggling with OCD treatment, you should always look for a healthcare provider regarding your diagnoses (if you think you have more than one condition) and the treatment options. There are many different medicines that help a lot in curing the symptoms of OCD and other kinds of behavioral conditions. It can take many trials and errors for finding the treatments for your unique symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of OCD?
The symptoms of OCD vary from age to age and gradually change throughout life. It includes mood changes such as anxiety, guilt, or panic attack. Psychological changes such as depression or fear along with nightmares, or repeatedly going over thoughts.
What includes in OCD Behaviour?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder where people have repetitive, unwanted thoughts, ideas, or obsessions that force them to do something repetitively (compulsions).
What triggers OCD in adults?
Compulsions are repetitive and learned behaviors, which become habitual when associated with relief from anxiety. People suffer from OCD due to genetic and hereditary factors. Chemical structural and functional abnormalities are the most common cause of this disorder.
Can OCD go away?
People suspect that Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms generally come and go or even go away—only to return. However, as already mentioned obsessive-compulsive traits never truly go away and require ongoing management.
What are the 4 types of OCD?
There is no official classification or subtypes of OCD but research suggests that people experience OCD symptoms in four categories i.e. symmetry and ordering, cleaning and contamination, forbidden, or taboo thoughts.