Obsessive-compulsive disorder

 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions). The repetitive behaviour such as hand washing, checking on things or cleaning, can significantly interfere with a persons daily activities and social interactions.

Typical obsessions:

1) fear of getting contaminated by people or environment

2) disturbing sexual thoughts or images.

3) fear of blurting out obscenities or insults

4) extreme concern with order, symmetry or precision

5) Recurrent intrusive thoughts of sounds, images, words or numbers

6) fear of losing or discarding something important.

    Typical compulsions:

1) Excessive or ritualized hand washing, showering, brushing teeth or toileting

2) repeated cleaning of house hold objects.

3) ordering or arranging things in a particular way.

4) repeatedly checking locks, switches or appliances.

5) constantly seeking approval or reassurance

6) repeatedly counting to a certain number

Treatment of OCD patients:

1) Cognitive-Behavioural therapy: During treatment sessions, patients are exposed to feared situations or images that focus on their obsessions initially leading to increased anxiety. patients are instructed to avoid performing their usual compulsive behaviours. By staying in a feared situation without anything terrible happening , patients learn that their fearful thought are just thoughts rather than reality.

2) Medication: a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors typically used to treat depression can also be effective in the treatment of OCD.

3) Care giver interventions: enlisting the support of caregivers to help with exposure practice at home is recommended.

4) Self care: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help in coping with OCD.