OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder where an individual has irrational thoughts and fears. As the name states, people with OCD have obsessive thoughts, which then lead to compulsive behavior. Most individuals with OCD present symptoms in different ways. They either act in more of an obsessive way, more of a compulsive way, or both. People develop OCD for many different reasons such as their environment, brain abnormalities, and genetics. OCD affects all people at any age. 

Symptoms 

Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder are split up into obsession symptoms as well as compulsive symptoms. Obsession symptoms consist of thoughts, urges, or images that are usually persistent and unwanted which lead to distress and anxiety. Obsessions usually follow a certain theme or pattern. For example, an individual may overall have a fear of food being dirty or contaminated, need things to be exceedingly neat, experience thoughts of losing control and harming yourself or others, or experience unwanted aggressive or sexual thoughts. From these obsessions, symptoms and fears are produced. For example, if the obsession is that an individual fears their food being contaminated, signs and symptoms may be them avoiding restaurants or places they didn’t cook the food, avoiding food touching other food, or washing their utensils a lot. Another example would be this: If the obsession is that everything needs to be exceedingly nead, some signs and symptoms may be that the individual needs to make sure everything in their room is in the right place before they leave the house, make sure their pillows are in the right order, or make sure the spices are facing the same direction. 

Compulsive symptoms are repetitive behaviors that an individual feels like they have to do. The individual usually feels extremely anxious if they don’t do these things. Compulsions also have themes such as washing or cleaning, checking, counting, routing, or needing reassurance. Similarly, these are demonstrated through signs and symptoms. For instance, if an individual’s compulsion is cleaning, they may constantly be washing their hands, cleaning their closet, or making sure every kitchen drawer is perfectly organized. Someone who’s compulsion is routine might demonstrate symptoms such as checking the doors three times every night to make sure they’re locked, flipping your light on and off three times, and brushing each tooth three times.

OCD is similar to schizophrenia, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, depression, and other mental health disorders, which makes it difficult to diagnose. To officially be diagnosed with OCD, a medical professional will use a psychological evaluation. The psychological evaluation is so that the individual can express their thoughts and feelings and the doctor can then determine whether that person has any obsessions, compulsions, or symptoms. The doctor will also use the DSM-5 manual to check criteria and a physical exam to rule out any other possible diagnoses. 

Treatment

There is not necessarily a cure for obsessive compulsive disorder, but there are treatments which can aid in stopping the symptoms from taking over your daily life. Most people with OCD are treated with psychotherapy and medication. With regard to psychotherapy, some people practice cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which changes people's thoughts in order to change their behaviors. In individuals with OCD, CBT might help rearrange their anxious thoughts so that they don’t feel urged to do something as much as they previously did. Individuals with OCD are also treated with exposure and response prevention therapy. This kind of therapy gradually introduces a person to their fear with the hope that this person will be able to control their urge to do compulsive actions. With regard to medication, there are many different medications that a psychiatrist might prescribe, which depends on the individual’s age. Clomipramine (Anafranil) is for adults and children ten years and older. Fluoxetine (prozac) is for adults and children seven years and older. Fluvoxamine is for adults and children eight years and older. Paroxetine (paxi, pexeva) is for adults only. Sertraline (zoloft) is for adults and children 6 years and older. While these are only a few medications, doctors may also prescribe other anxiety and/or depression medications.