Last Updated: 24th July, 2022

OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder represents a psychological condition during which individuals have repetitive, intrusive thoughts, impulses or emotions (obsessions) that leave them feeling compelled to be doing something over and over again (compulsions). Monotonous patterns, such as washing hands, reviewing things or washing, may interfere significantly with the everyday life and interpersonal relationships of an individual.

Unreasonable thinking (obsessions) leading to persistent behavioral patterns (compulsions). Obsessive-compulsive disorder is defined by irrational fears (obsessions) and anxieties contributing to compulsive behaviors.

OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder also emphasizes on issues such as a phobia or a need to unambiguously orchestrate things. Symptoms typically start sluggishly and deviate across the life span. Therapy requires medicine, cognitive behavioral therapy or both.

Obsessions

Obsessions are reoccurring and relentless impulses, emotions, or imagery which triggers disquieting emotions like anxiousness or repugnance. Most individuals with Obsessive compulsive disorder acknowledge that their senses emotions, actions, or perceptions are inappropriate or irrational. Yet logic or reasoning cannot satisfy those disorientating impulses.

Typically, people with OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder typically try to avoid or repress these obsessions, or through some other thought or behavior counter them. Typical obsessions tend to involve over-contamination or damage issues, the need for continuity or precision, or prohibited sexual or religious thinking.

Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive actions or mental activities in response to an addiction that a person feels compelled to pursue. The actions are intended to avoid or raising anxiety or a condition which is dreaded. In the most intense situations, the day can be packed with a relentless succession of routines making a daily routine extremely difficult.

Amplifying the pain created by these practices represent the perception that now the intrusive thoughts are completely illogical. Even though the addiction can alleviate the anxiety, the fixation resumes and the process continues again and again and again.

Few examples of compulsions:

• Washing to minimize the anxiety that they may “contaminate” germs, water or toxins, others spend several hours cleansing oneself or cleaning their surrounding environment.
• Few individuals spend many hours cleaning themselves or purifying their environment.
• To alleviate fear, repeat. Some individuals recite a name or word or repeat many times an action. They realize those iterations won’t necessarily protect against injury, but unless the repetitions aren’t completed, there will be paranoia damage.
• Screening to minimize the risk of hurting yourself or someone else by failing, for instance, to shut the door or turn off the gas grill, many people develop patterns of scanning. Several individuals, travel down driving routes endlessly to make sure they have encountered none.
• Ordering and making preparations to relieve pain. Many people prefer placing things in a certain sequence, such as books, or arranging “sometimes accordingly” random items, or in a symmetrical fashion.
• Psychological obsessions respond to unpleasant repetitive thoughts, several individuals are secretly praying or repeating phrases to mitigate distress or to prevent a feared incident in the future.

OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is the contemporary in-thing, casually used to refer to a knack of cleanliness, arranging or checking things. But, to the surprise of some, OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder is not a habit, but an anxiety disorder that affects 2-3% of the population.

Hey Listen!

If an action is constrained by some stuck thoughts (with an underlying belief), causing you to surrender to that unwanted idea and force yourself to perform that activity, and feeling anxious unless you do that, it could be potentially OCD!

What Is OCD Or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Actually?

OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, a condition in which a person harbors obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can make the person compelled to take a certain action and not doing so, leads to great distress and restlessness.

What Are The Symptoms Of OCD Or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can start at any time from preschool to adulthood. The common symptoms of OCD can be as simple as needlessly washing hands, repeated blinking of eyes, shoulder shrugging, repetitive throat-clearing, arranging things in a certain way or negative thoughts about terrible things happening to the loved ones. Here’s a quick OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder checklist:

• Do you repeatedly wash or clean hands because you feel contaminated?
• Have you saved up so many things that they get in the way?
• Do you repeatedly check doors, drawers, gas stove, etc. more often than necessary?
• Do you find it inappropriate to approach an object if it has been touched by strangers or certain people?
• Do you observe you have to relate an action a certain number of times or count while progressing that?
• Do you get upset if others alter the way you arranged things?

Why OCD Or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Is So Important?

Studies suggest that people with OCD are 10 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder has been in fact listed as one of the top 10 causes of disability by the WHO.

What Sets OCD Or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Apart From A Regular Habit?

Habits:

• It is an intended act or grown over time out of some influence.
• It can be disregarded. At some times, not following a habit can generate guilt.
• That thought/act compels you feel disciplinary and satisfied.

OCD Or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder symptoms

• The thought/act comprises an unwanted or intrusive one.
• It cannot be overlooked. At all times, not executing that brings restlessness and anxiety.
• That thought/act does not provide any pleasure, but relaxes distress.

What Causes OCD Or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

There is no particular cause, but genetics and certain lifestyle like chronic sleep deprivation have been reported too.

Are OCD Or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Curable?

Absolutely. All you require is to recognize the need and consult a specialist. Medicines combined with counseling sessions can definitely help alleviate the condition.

OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can gravely hamper familiar life. Don’t disparage it as a mere idiosyncrasy of behavior!