Jun 20, 2023
“You may have heard people casually say, "I'm so OCD," when referring to their preference for a neat and clean desk or their habit of keeping their stations clean. But honestly, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) goes far beyond just cleanliness or order.”
What is OCD? It's a mental health disorder that millions of Americans battle daily. It's a subject that is often misunderstood and underestimated. For those who go through obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is not simply about being neat or particular; it's a relentless internal struggle that disrupts their daily lives and steals their peace of mind.
Did you know that OCD affects approximately 2.2 million Americans? That's equivalent to the population of a small city living in this condition every day. But as severe as it is, there are effective treatment methods like therapy to help individuals who struggle with OCD grab control over themselves rather than giving that control to their negative fears and obsessions.
In this blog, we will uncover the underlying causes, explore the different manifestations of OCD, and shed light on effective coping mechanisms and treatment options available to those affected.
So, let's unravel the complexities and help recover from this invisible battle.
What is OCD? Understanding the Complexities of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Technically speaking OCD is a psychiatric disorder that is a combination of obsessions and compulsive behaviors in simple terms a mental health issue that can affect you or someone you know on an extreme level. During this condition, you might have repetitive alarming thoughts that might bother you on a whole new level. And to get rid of these excessive worrisome thoughts or fears you will do certain things over and over again. You know, like cleaning your desk 10-20 times a day or maybe in an hour.
It sounds tiresome, but trust me when I say this OCD is not a rare disorder anymore. According to the American Psychiatric Association around 2-3% of Americans are diagnosed with Obsessive-compulsive disorder every passing year. And these are just the numbers of individuals who came forward to heal themselves. An alarming number of people are still out there who have still not decided or maybe even thought about getting themselves treated.
OCD if not treated at an early stage can disrupt your daily life, family relationship, work environment, and more. This is why the various types, symptoms, root causes, and treatment options need to be explored widely and understood efficiently. Only then can you identify the potential triggers or warning signs in yourself or maybe on someone you love?
But before we get right into the basics, do you know what exactly are obsession and compulsion? As mentioned before these two factors are the very foundation that is used to identify whether or not one actually has an obsessive compulsive disorder. So let's look a bit closer into what obsession and compulsion are.
What is Obsession & Compulsion?
You might have heard people say ‘I'm so obsessed over that song’ when expressing their love for a thing, person or in this case an album. But this is not the exact context for someone with OCD.
Obsession in OCD refers to an intense and persistent preoccupation, interest, or fixation on a particular person, object, idea, or activity. It is characterized by recurrent and intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images that may interfere with a person's daily life and functioning. In simpler words repetitive thoughts or fears over a subject, image, or simply just an idea.
For example repetitively washing your hands just because of the thought that there might be germs on everyone and everything you touch, in severe cases the atmosphere.
On the other hand, compulsions are the acts or mental behaviors that one might indulge in to cope with these obsessive thoughts and fear; washing hands repeatedly in this case. These behaviors or mental acts are supposed to de-stress the person from obsessive worry and give a relaxed feeling to tame or control those thoughts, but again it's just a temporary relief.
This constant cycle of obsession and compulsion is explained as an OCD cycle theoretically. So what exactly is explained in an OCD cycle-
Well, it typically consists of four stages:
- Obsession
- Anxiety
- Compulsion &
- Temporary relief.
First, there are intrusive obsessions, such as fears or disturbing thoughts. These obsessions trigger anxiety or distress in the individual. To get rid of this anxiety, the person engages in compulsive behaviors or mental rituals. These compulsions temporarily reduce anxiety and provide a sense of relief. However, the relief is short-lived, and the cycle restarts with the re-emergence of obsessions. You can refer to a comprehensive guide on how to cure anxiety.
This cycle perpetuates the symptoms of OCD and can significantly impact daily functioning and well-being. This is why experts say treatment methods like anxiety therapy and other psychotherapies are helpful to help deal with OCD. Because therapy and interventions aim to interrupt this cycle and provide you or your loved one with effective coping skills.
What Are The Types Of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder comes with a lot of challenges and with it comes the reality that this mental health disorder can be classified into not 1 but 4 different types. Every person who struggles with OCD including you might have a unique type of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Few among the different types of OCD include::
Checking OCD:
If you are checking, you may find yourself repeatedly verifying things such as locks, alarm systems, ovens, or light switches. This compulsion stems from an intense fear of something terrible happening if you don't double-check these objects or settings. For example, you might worry that leaving the stove on could lead to a house fire. Also, checking OCD can extend to worrying about medical conditions, like constantly believing you are pregnant or developing schizophrenia, despite evidence to the contrary.
Contamination OCD:
This type of OCD revolves around the intense fear of germs, dirt, or contamination. You might often feel compelled to engage in excessive cleaning or avoidance behaviors to prevent contact with germs or anything that can be related to anti hygiene.. Because of this, you might indulge in repetitive handwashing, avoiding public places, or disinfecting personal belongings excessively. Picture this: cleaning your mobile phones, laptops, and tabs with sanitizers and cleaning the sanitizers using another sanitizer(extreme right, thought so). However, OCD contamination is not limited to physical cleanliness alone. Some people experience mental contamination, where they feel psychologically polluted or tainted. They might perceive themselves as "dirty" due to an emotionally distressing event or feeling treated poorly by others.
Symmetry and Ordering OCD:
I think this subtype of OCD can be found among most people with OCD. Symmetry & ordering OCD often feel like extreme discomfort or anxiety if objects are not organized symmetrically or if items are not aligned perfectly. This can extend to everyday tasks such as arranging books on shelves, aligning objects on a table, or meticulously organizing clothes in a closet. Any slight changes in the order can create immense distress, leading to compulsive behaviors aimed at restoring balance and symmetry.
Ruminations and Intrusive Thoughts OCD:
Ruminations and intrusive thoughts revolve around a continuous and debilitating line of thought or intrusive thoughts. These worrying thoughts can be disturbing, violent, or against your personal values. If this OCD subtype rings a bell to you then you might often find yourself caught in a cycle of obsessive rumination, where you are unable to let go of distressing thoughts. This can lead to significant anxiety, guilt, or shame, as you try to make sense of and give a difficult time to your mind regarding these intrusive mental experiences.
However, it is important to note that these categories are not entirely exclusive to one person. The categories can overlap and can cause your OCD symptoms to build up making it much more difficult to snap out of.
The Symptoms and Causes Of OCD
When it comes to the OCD symptoms there are only two main symptoms: Obsession and Compulsion. Yes. sounds very repetitive but think about it. As I had discussed earlier, the very foundation of identifying whether or not you have obsessive-compulsive disorder is to understand the intensity of obsessive and compulsive behaviors. Now there are various factors or signs with which you can identify your obsession and compulsions.
Obsession Symptoms:
- Concerns about cleanliness, germs, or getting sick.
- Fear of causing harm to oneself or others.
- Anxiety about saying something inappropriate or offensive.
- Strong desire for order, symmetry, or alignment of personal belongings.
- Intrusive thoughts of explicit sexual or violent nature.
- Worries about discarding or throwing things away.
- Doubts or uncertainty regarding sexual desires or orientation.
- Anxiety about the well-being and safety of oneself and loved ones.
- Unwanted and intrusive mental images, words, or sounds.
Compulsion Symptoms:
- Engaging in frequent handwashing, cleaning objects, or excessively washing one's body.
- Arranging or aligning objects in a particular manner or following a specific order.
- Counting or repeating specific phrases or actions as a ritualistic behavior.
- Touching or interacting with something a specific number of times as part of a ritual.
- Seeking reassurance or validation from others to alleviate anxiety.
- Collecting specific objects or purchasing multiples of the same item.
- Concealing objects that could be potentially harmful to oneself or others.
- Mentally reviewing past actions to ensure no harm was caused to anyone else.
These above-mentioned are fewer symptoms and more of a behavior. Compulsions can be thought as a reflex reaction to the obsessive thoughts and behaviors individuals have to go through. Now there are reasons why these obsessive thoughts occur in the first place. Although a lot is unknown, studies say that the major causes of OCD include family history, genetics, biological factors, and mostly stress. Let's brainstorm on these a bit in detail.
Family History: One important factor to consider when examining the causes of OCD is family history. Research suggests that individuals with a family member who has OCD are at a higher risk of developing the disorder themselves. This indicates a possible genetic component, as well as the influence of environmental factors within the family setting.
Genetics: Genetics is another significant factor contributing to OCD. Studies have shown that certain genes may be associated with an increased vulnerability to developing OCD. However, it's important to note that having these genetic markers does not guarantee the development of OCD. Additional environmental factors and triggers also play a role.
Biological Factors: Biological factors, such as brain structure and functioning, are believed to contribute to the development of OCD. Neurotransmitters, specifically serotonin, play a crucial role in regulating mood and anxiety. An imbalance in serotonin levels may disrupt communication within the brain circuits responsible for decision-making and impulse control, potentially leading to the development of OCD symptoms.
Stress & Trauma: Experiences of stress and trauma can have a profound impact on mental health. They can act as triggers or exacerbate existing OCD symptoms. Significant life events, such as the loss of a loved one, major transitions, or traumatic experiences, can disrupt the delicate balance of brain chemistry and contribute to the onset of OCD.
Personality: Certain personality traits have been associated with an increased susceptibility to OCD. Individuals who exhibit perfectionism, excessive responsibility, or a strong need for control may be more prone to developing OCD symptoms. These personality traits, combined with other factors, can contribute to the manifestation of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
What are the treatments to control OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that causes persistent and intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that are difficult to control. If you or someone you know is struggling with this condition, it's essential to seek help from a mental health professional. There are several effective treatments available that can help control OCD, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and medication. CBT and ERP are psychotherapies where CBT therapists teach patients how to change their negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies to manage their OCD symptoms.
On the other hand, medication can help reduce the severity of OCD depression anxiety symptoms, particularly the intensity of obsessions and compulsions. It's important to work with your doctor or mental health professional to find the right treatment plan for you, as different people may respond differently to different treatments. With the right therapy and support, it is possible to manage OCD and improve your quality of life.
Conclusion
It is important to keep in mind that managing OCD is a lifelong process, but it is also one that many people have successfully undertaken. Despite the challenges and frustrations associated with managing OCD, there are also moments of progress and accomplishment. In order to succeed, it's essential to find the correct combination of medication, therapy, exercise, a healthy diet, and a support system. Everyone may face different struggles while combatting and managing OCD but that doesn’t mean it should seem hopeless.
The help of professionals and support groups combined with self-care and embracing your situation can be invaluable when battling this issue. There are resources available so no one has to feel like they are facing it alone or that everyone has to go through the same journey. One should make sure to reach out for assistance if needed so don’t be afraid to ask for help with managing OCD as there are plenty of steps you can take towards recovery.
