Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD is a standard mental health condition where people tend to have obsessive thoughts or urges to do something and develop compulsive behaviors. Some people have both compulsions and obsessions, affecting them irrespective of gender or age. Symptoms often kick off during puberty but are more common among young adults. OCD can be significantly distressing and interfere with your regular life.
OCD symptoms
- An unwanted or unpleasant thought of obsession, urge, or image that often comes to your mind leads to anxiety, unease, or disgust.
- A compulsion to do repetitive behavior or mental act you feel to do to relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by obsessive thought. For example, an obsessive fear or need to check all the doors and windows before leaving the house is OCD.
- Women have OCD sometimes during their pregnancy or after pregnancy. Those obsessions may include worrying about harming their baby or not sterilizing the bottles before feeding. Compulsions can be things like repeatedly checking the baby’s breathing.
OCD causes
- Family genetics; you are more likely to have OCD if a family member has one.
- People with OCD have a low level of serotonin chemicals or unusually high activity in some parts of the brain.
- Traumatic life events
- People with strong personalities like meticulous, organized, and neat are more likely to develop OCD
OCD treatments
Some effective treatments for OCD can help to reduce the impact or symptoms. The primary treatments are:
- Psychological therapy, primarily cognitive behavioral therapy, helps face fears and obsessive thoughts.
- Antidepressant medicines help to alter the balance of chemicals in the brain.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022