Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, repetitive thoughts that cause distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours a person feels driven to perform in response to these obsessions, to reduce anxiety or prevent harm. 

How to identify OCD?

• Fear of dirt or germs that leads to excessive hand washing or cleaning

• Excessive doubts that lead to checking behaviours like checking locks or stoves

• Unwanted thoughts or images of an aggressive or sexual nature 

• A need for things to be symmetrical which can slow down day to day activities

• Tendency to count in certain patterns or numbers

• Mentally repeating words or phrases

• Repeatedly seeking reassurance that something bad won’t happen

What are the causes of OCD?

A combination of biological, environmental, and psychological factors contributes to the development of OCD. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin have been noted in this condition. Early life experiences, errors in thinking and learning also play a role. 

When to seek help?

Being well-organized, tidy or a perfectionist does not mean that a person has suffers from OCD. The thoughts associated with OCD are unwanted and cause a lot of distress. At the same time, the behaviours that the person feels compelled to perform to reduce the anxiety aren’t actually connected to the thoughts in a meaningful way. These thoughts and behaviours are time-consuming, such that they take up at least an hour in the day and can at times consume most of the day. It’s important to seek help when these symptoms interfere with daily life activities like work and in relationships. 

What is the treatment for OCD?

Given the significant biological basis of OCD, medicines play an important role in the treatment of this condition. Exposure-response prevention is a form of behavioural therapy used to help patients break the cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Psychodynamic therapy may also be helpful in building insight into how such patterns have emerged. In some cases, brain stimulation like rTMS is an effective treatment for OCD.