Overview
OCD Meaning- OCD stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is characterized by unwanted thoughts, fears, and obsession that leads a person to do repetitive activities.
OCD symptoms cause distress and interfere with the daily life activities of the individual.
It is basically a chronic mental health condition that may be intrusive, distressing, and causes a threat to mental health. People who experience OCD symptoms may double-check the door if it’s locked or not, or may believe in an unwanted fate just to make them feel more secure, and may possess excessive fear of getting infected with germs so they won’t move out of their house.
People who have OCD symptoms are at times ashamed and embarrassed of their condition, but when given the right OCD treatment their condition improves.
OCD Causes
The exact cause of the obsessive-compulsive disorder is still unknown, but various experiments conclude that in people with OCD symptoms certain parts of the brain are not accessible to serotonin (which is a hormone that is used by nerves to communicate).
Genetics also play a major role in the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is believed that if there is a prevalence of OCD in family history then there is more than a 25% chance of genetic predisposition.
Environmental, behavioural, cognitive, and neurological factors can also lead to the development of OCD symptoms.
Main theories behind OCD causes include-
- It may be due to genetic components
- It may be due to a change in the body’s own chemistry and brain functions
- They can also be learned if you see anyone doing the same thing then you also start to practice the same.
OCD Symptoms
OCD meaning obsessive-compulsive disorder includes both compulsion and obsession. But some people may experience only obsession or compulsion.
A person who experiences OCD symptoms may not even realize that they are experiencing excessive obsession and compulsion.
OCD symptoms may generally last for more than an hour or two and may also interfere with daily routine activities.
Obsession symptoms
OCD obsessive symptoms are persistent, repetitive, and unwanted urges or thoughts that cause distress and anxiety. These obsessive behaviours typically intrude when you are trying to concentrate on any work.
Examples of obsession symptoms include:
- Images of driving a car in a crowded place
- Avoiding shaking hands with people
- Fear of being contaminated by objects so avoiding touching them
- Disagreeable sexual images
- Doubts in certain situations like locking the door or turning off the stove
- Facing intense stress and anxiety when objects are not placed in an ordered manner
- Acting inappropriately in public
Compulsive Symptoms
Compulsive OCD symptoms include repetitive behaviours that a person wants to perform again and again. These mental acts tend to reduce anxiety related to compulsion. However, compulsion may offer only temporary relief from anxiety.
Examples of compulsive signs and symptoms include:
- Spiritually repeating a prayer or chanting mantras
- Checking the stove, again and again, to make sure that it is turned off
- The practice of washing hands until the skin becomes raw
- Checking doors repetitively to make sure they are locked
- Arranging goods in a certain order whenever they are unorganized.
OCD symptoms in children
OCD signs first arise during adolescence, several complications seen in people of the lesser age group include-
- Face difficulty while doing homework
- Have confidence-related issues
- Trouble maintaining friendships or relationships with others
- Have disturbed routine
- Physical illness
- Stress
The symptoms that arise in childhood are more commonly seen in males when compared to females.
OCD treatments
Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment may not every time be effective in complete irradiation of the disorder, but they are effective in reducing OCD symptoms so that they do not ruin the daily routine of a person.
OCD may be acute, severe, or chronic; depending on this the treatment may last for a few days to months or maybe several years.
Widely speaking OCD treatments are broadly classified in the following ways
- Physiotherapy
- Medical treatment
1. Physiotherapy
CBT, namely cognitive behavioural therapy, is a type of physiotherapy that is effective in treating OCD symptoms.
A component of cognitive-behavioural therapy namely Exposure and response prevention (ERP) involves gradually exposing the person to the objects or scenarios which they fear the most.
Exposure and response prevention therapy is a long process and requires a lot of practice, but the person can enjoy a better quality of life after successful completion of the therapy.
2. Medications
Psychiatric medications help in the control of OCD symptoms. The most widely used medications for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder are the antidepressant drugs available on the market.
Several antidepressant medications approved by USFDA (United states food and drug administration) for the treatment of OCD symptoms include-
- Clomipramine
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- Paroxetine
- Sertraline
Diagnosis of OCD
Several factors that help in the diagnosis of OCD symptoms include:
1. Physiological evaluation
This evaluation includes monitoring your symptoms and behavioural changes to determine the severity of this disorder.
2. OCD diagnostic tool
Doctors may refer to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental Disorders) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
It is often a tough task to diagnose Obsessive-compulsive disorder because symptoms that a person experiences are very similar to other complications like depression, schizophrenia, and other anxiety disorders.
People who experience OCD complications are advised to cooperate with their medical practitioners to improve their mental health status by receiving the right treatment for fast and efficient recovery.
When to see a doctor?
OCD patients are mainly someone who worries excessively about daily life problems like maintaining cleanliness every time around them or a habit of orderly organizing things.
People who experience frequent and longer episodes of OCD symptoms are advised to visit a doctor when they feel that these complications are haltering their daily life routine.
Hence, after consulting with your doctor, your doctor may prescribe you medicine according to your health condition. So, you can buy medicine at your nearest medical store or if you are looking for online medicine and also for free online doctor consultation. You can refer to our Truemeds physician which provides free online consultations. We also provide you with PAN India home medicine delivery, with a discount offer, and monthly savings on your medical bill.
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