Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: The Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

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Many people think they know what OCD is and even joke about suffering from it a little bit from time to time. However, the reality is much more serious, and it’s a serious condition for those that do suffer from it. That’s why here we’ll explain all important facts about this mental condition, its symptoms, and treatment.

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD, is a severe anxiety condition, which affects 12 in every 1,000 people. And this is a serious topic for discussion because anxiety affects not only the nervous system, but also the body:

OCD doesn’t discriminate based on age, race, or gender. OCD consists mainly of two aspects: obsessions and compulsions.


1. Obsessions

Obsessions are thoughts, ideas, and impulses that feel impossible to ignore for those who suffer from OCD, and can be quite persistent. They can cause a lot of anxiety, especially if they’re stressful thoughts, centered on damage suffered to their loved ones.


2. Compulsions

Compulsions are rituals that are carried out by sufferers of obsessions as a means of dealing with the anxiety they cause.


How to identify OCD?

The majority of people who suffer from OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, but they can’t stop them and feel the need to carry them out “just in case.” This is why it’s very difficult for them to seek help.

Although OCD tends to develop slowly over a long period of time, some stressful events can act as triggers: The death of a family member, disease, a new relationship, withdrawals, financial problems, family or child abuse or neglect.

Those who have OCD find themselves trapped in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Because both are involuntary, this cycle can be very difficult to break.


What are the most common obsessions?

- Fear of hurting those around you.

- Fear of hurting yourself or others by mistake; for example, fear of setting fire to the house because of leaving the oven on.

- Fear of catching a disease.

- Anxiety about symmetry and order.


What are the symptoms of OCD?

OCD affects different people in different ways, but a particular behavioral pattern is generally present. These include the following four phases:


1. Obsession: When an unwanted thought or impulse suddenly enters a person’s mind.



2. Anxiety: The unwanted obsession provokes a sensation of intense anxiety or unease.



3. Compulsion: The anxiety will cause the person to develop repetitive behaviors or mental acts that they feel obliged to carry out in order to improve the situation.



4. Temporary calm: The compulsion will give temporary calm to a sufferer of OCD, helping to alleviate their anxiety, but the obsession will soon return, and the cycle will begin again.

What are the most frequent compulsive behaviors among sufferers of OCD?

- Cleaning and washing the hands.

- Checks (to make sure that doors and gas knobs are closed and turned off).

- Counting.

- Ordering and organizing things “to perfection.”

- Accumulation.

- “Neutralizing” thoughts to counteract obsessive thoughts.

- Avoiding certain places and situations because of the feeling they could trigger obsessive thoughts.

What are OCD treatments?

Although the majority of those who suffer OCD don’t wish to seek help, the fact is that OCD doesn’t cure itself. There are treatment options and support groups available that will help alleviate their symptoms.

If you think that you might suffer from OCD, you should try to talk to a counselor or therapist that can help you control your compulsions and understand the reasons for your OCD.

However, if you still want to control your OCD without looking for external help, there are some methods that may help:


1. Talk with somebody more about your concerns.


2. Exercise will help you concentrate and release endorfphins that will make you feel good.


3. Read self-help books.


4. Relaxation techniques.

Although OCD is a difficult condition to overcome, there is help available for those that need it. Remember that you’re not alone and talking with somebody about what’s happening to you can significantly increase your quality of life.