Obsessive compulsive disorder
Do you have intrusive thoughts that will not go away, no matter how much you try to ignore them? Do you sometimes feel you have to do things a certain way for fear that something bad will happen? Are you unable to cope if something is just out of place?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed in an attempt to alleviate anxiety or prevent a feared event. OCD can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. Sometimes these thoughts can be quite scary and difficult to understand. You may not even recognize the thoughts as your own, which can make you feel out of control of your own mind.
Some of the common fears/obsessions are (not an exhaustive list):
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fears of contamination/disease
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doubts about safety
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fear of harming oneself or others
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repetitive washing of hands
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mental rituals
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repetitive counting
There are evidence-based treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder that can help control the symptoms. These employ a combination of psychotherapy and medications. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly prescribed, as they help regulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain, reducing the severity of obsessive and compulsive symptoms. Tricyclic antidepressants may also be considered in certain cases.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most established psychotherapeutic approach for OCD. Specifically, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a subtype of CBT that involves gradually exposing individuals to situations that trigger obsessions while discouraging the corresponding compulsive rituals. Through systematic exposure, individuals learn to tolerate the anxiety triggered by obsessions without engaging in compulsions, leading to symptom reduction over time.
Still not sure?
Psychiatrists use a questionnaire called Y-BOCS to determine if you need to be treated for depression. You can find it here. Follow the instruction to determine illness severity
We have compiled a few resources to expand your understanding of this disorder:
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National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
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Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432
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American Psychiatric Association: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
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National Library of Medicine: https://medlineplus.gov/obsessivecompulsivedisorder.html