Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Do unwanted feelings and compelling thoughts rule your daily life? This could be Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD!

People suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD are always frightened, apprehensive, and nervous.

If you have the disorder, you might experience the sensation that the brain gets stuck on certain images, urges, and thoughts.

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition in which a person has repeated sensations, thoughts, or ideas that cause him or her to feel compelled to do something over and over again.
Repetitive behaviors such as cleaning, checking on things, or washing hands can all interfere with a person's social interactions or everyday activities.
OCD is not a bad habit like nail biting or negative thinking. A compulsive behaviour could be washing hands ten times after touching a dirty object or surface.
Even if the person does not like or want to do these behaviours, he or she may feel powerless to stop them.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms

Obsessions: Unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that persist and lead to anxiety or distress.
Compulsions: Repetitive behaviours or actions that a person feels compelled to do to alleviate the anxiety caused by obsessions.
Themes: Common obsessions may revolve around cleanliness, orderliness, fear of harm, or the need for things to be just right.
Impact: Symptoms of OCD can make it difficult to focus, disrupt daily routines and strain relationships.
Diagnosis: OCD is diagnosed when these obsessions and compulsions consume a significant amount of time (more than an hour a day) or cause substantial distress or impairment in daily life.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Causes

OCD is often seen in families, indicating a genetic susceptibility.
OCD symptoms may be influenced by imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin.
Certain brain areas related to decision-making and behaviour regulation may differ in individuals with OCD.
Stressful events or trauma can exacerbate or trigger symptoms of OCD.
Personality traits like perfectionism or a tendency towards excessive worry could raise the risk of developing OCD.

Can OCD Damage the Brain?

OCD patients have less grey matter in certain parts of the brain.
The grey matter-rich areas of the brain serve to control impulses, manage senses, process information, and develop, regulate, and exhibit motor skills such as talking, writing, reaction time, balance, coordination, and drawing.
Unfortunately, OCD reduces the quantity of grey matter in the brain, making OCD people less able to regulate their impulses.
Low levels of grey matter can also change how people receive information, increasing their propensity to obsess over negative thoughts, whether they wish to or not.

How can we detect if someone has OCD?

Obsessions can be upsetting and result in severe anxiety. Here are some signs of OCD and how to overcome OCD thoughts:

Persistent doubts about doing the correct thing like closing the door, turning out the lights, or counting objects
Fear of being infected with dirt or germs
Keeping things in symmetry or specific order
Thoughts of harming or hurting someone

On the other hand, compulsions are repetitive behaviours performed to neutralise or counteract the stress caused by an obsession. Some of the signs of compulsion are:

Repeated cleaning of household items
Arranging things in a specific way and getting upset if the order is disrupted
Repeated counting

Can OCD be Cured?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder cannot be cured. However, treatment can help control the symptoms so that they do not take over daily life.
Some patients may require long-term, ongoing, or more intensive treatment, depending on the severity of the OCD.
People suffering from OCD can seek effective psychological treatment from a psychiatrist or psychologist, who can guide and support them on how to overcome OCD.

Here are some other treatments that may help manage the symptoms of OCD:

Medications:

To boost the levels of serotonin (a chemical messenger) in the brain, which may help reduce OCD symptoms, doctors may prescribe medications such as selective SRIs (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs).

Psychological therapy:

Therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy are intended to help patients recognise and regulate their obsessive concerns and thoughts.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS):

It is a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted in specific parts of the brain and modest electric currents are used to stimulate them. These electrical impulses help in the reduction of chronic OCD symptoms.

What happens if CBT and medications don't work for OCD?

If CBT and medicine don't work, a healthcare provider may try these therapies to improve the mood:

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS):

A magnetic device inserted into the head is used for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It sends electrical signals to the brain. The impulses trigger the brain to produce chemicals associated with the therapy.
With OCD, the thoughts and behaviours create a great deal of distress, require a lot of time, and interfere with your everyday life and relationships.
You don't have to battle OCD alone!
Book your appointment with our expert Neurologist.
Let's decode OCD and restore your brain together!

Citations

https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16020201

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Frequently Asked Questions

OCD is a mental health condition where a person has recurring thoughts (obsessions) and feels the need to do certain actions (compulsions) to ease anxiety or prevent something bad from happening.

The exact cause is not known, but genetics, brain structure, and environmental factors can contribute to developing OCD.

Fears of contamination, injury, and the demand for symmetry are examples of common obsessions. Compulsions might involve excessive cleaning, counting, or checking.

Yes, OCD can develop in childhood or adolescence, influencing how adolescents think and behave.

There is no cure, but with proper treatment and support, many people with OCD can manage their symptoms effectively and lead fulfilling lives.

OCD can affect relationships by causing stress, misunderstandings, and interference with daily activities. Open communication and understanding can help manage challenges.