Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that causes patients to repeatedly experience uncontrollable and repetitive thoughts or behaviors.
The main characteristics of this mental disorder are "obsessions" and "compulsive behaviors."
People with OCD often feel compelled to perform these behaviours because they
temporarily relieve anxiety and tension.
This is a cyclical process. Without proper treatment, patients will find it difficult to break free from this vicious cycle.
Do you have the following symptoms?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients' obsessions are usually related to specific themes.
Common obsessions include dirt, pollution, aggressive thoughts, physical ailments, and a strong need for balance and symmetry. In addition, OCD patients may exhibit compulsive behaviors as a coping mechanism to reduce anxiety.
Common Compulsive Behaviour
Refer to the behaviour and movement that is repetitive and time-wasting. Patients neutralise or wipe out the anxiety that is brought by the obsessive thoughts, by carrying out these behaviours.
．Washing hands repeatedly or excessively
．Checking door locks, light switches, or the stove repeatedly
．Repeatedly counting objects
．Repeatedly reading aloud certain sentences
．Repeatedly arranging objects like books
Common Obsessive Thoughts
Refer to the thoughts and images that continuously appear. They may make the patient feel uncomfortable and trigger anxiety.
．Worry about being contaminated by germs and viruses
．Suspect that own action may cause serious harm or consequences
．Arrange objects based on a certain order
．Aware of the impulse of carrying out violent or deviant behaviour
．Pornographic images or bad thoughts appear in mind etc.
Treatment
OCD patients will spend a lot of time on obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, and they may try to avoid being in the situation that will trigger the thoughts and behaviours. Therefore, the condition will severely affect the patient’s lives, including school life, work life, and social life etc.
There are two most common ways to cure OCD:
Medication is the most common treatment for OCD. Generally, the psychiatrist will prescribe antidepressants to increase the concentration level of serotonin in the brain to improve the symptoms.
Medical Treatment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:
The therapy aims to guide patients to recognize the relationship between their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and to coexist with the condition. During the therapy, the patient will have to gradually get involved in the situation that induces obsessive thoughts, such as touching dirty things, deliberately not cleaning them and waiting for the anxiety to pass slowly.
Psychotherapy
*The most effective treatment for OCD
is combining antidepressants with cognitive behavioural therapy