OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Can't you stop thinking
about dirt or germs that you could come into contact with,
and ritualistically use hand sanitizer or wash hand too frequently or ever
baffled by your friends obsession for symmetry? These are the classic example
of Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety
disorder signalized by perennial and perturbing thoughts (called obsessions) and/or
repetitive, ritualized behaviors that the people carve to perform (called compulsions).
Obsessions can also take the form of intrusive images or unwanted urges. In
most cases people with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions, but seldom
have obsessions alone or compulsions alone.
The above mentioned
condition doesn’t confirm the person is suffering from Obsessive Compulsive disorder
(OCD) but any hint of similar behavior demands a closer look by a
professional. There is no reliable diagnostic test for OCD is devised so far, a
thorough face to face interview by an experienced mental health professional is
imperative. Despite there are few things one can consider to rule out other
neurological conditions. In fact it is common to self diagnose before reaching
out for outside help. Try to watch carefully for following signs:
Obsession:
- Excessive
decontamination, undue concern over germs, disease, infection.
- Irrational fears such as
causing an accident scratch him- or herself or another person with a sharp
object, etc.
- Intemperate stress on
Symmetry.
- Suspicious
of others.
- Idée fixe on particular
number or series of numbers performing tasks a certain number of times regardless
of sense or expediency.
- Preoccupation with spiritual
or religious concerns such as the afterlife, death or morality.
- Stockpiling of useless or
meaningless objects such as old magazines or food.
- Obsessive thinking about
sex; disturbing writing or doodling of a sexual nature.
Compulsions:
- Gratuitous of washing hands;
wiping everything before touching; brushing teeth until gums bleed.
- Returning to check that the
door is locked more than once.
- Need to have socks at same
height on each leg; cuffs of exactly equal width.
- Counting of steps while
walking; insistence on performing a task a specific number of times.
- Performing a senseless task
repeatedly until it “feels right;” redoing a task that has already been
acceptably completed.
- Hiding food under the bed;
refusing to throw away empty bottles or discarded clothes, for instance.
- Expedient repetition of
protective prayers or chants.
The list is not exhaustive and one may, at some point in time
or consistently, engage in one or even a few of the above obsessions or
compulsions. But if somebody is indulged in several of these activities for a
longer duration then presence of following will endorse a typical case of
Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD):
- stress
- Insomnia
- depression
- agitation
- manic need to keep busy
- academic difficulties,
including slowness to complete easy work
- behavioral difficulties
such as angry outbursts when questioned about odd rituals or desires
- social difficulties or a
desire to spend excessive time alone
- Family conflict over usually
mundane details.
Now it’s
time to get help.
There are two types of standard recommended treatments for Obsessive
Compulsive disorder (OCD): medications and cognitive behavior therapy which
requires the skill of expert therapist and due diligence of the patient.
Unfortunately, not everyone responds to treatment for OCD. This accentuates the
need for ongoing research into the causes of OCD so that new and better treatments
can be developed. There is reason to be optimistic about the future. Interest
in OCD has exploded and we seem to learn more about it every day. The first
step is to recognize that you or your loved one may have OCD and that help may
be just around the corner. For a referral, contact the OC Foundation at (203)
315-2190 or at www.ocfoundation.org.
