Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychological disturbance in which the individuals suffer from persistent unwanted patterns of thought (obsession) coupled with repetitive, ritualistic behavior designed to alleviate discomfort (compulsion). Individuals recognize the thoughts and rituals as unrealistic but are still unable to control them. For example, individuals having fear about germs wash their hands excessively throughout the day. Other common behaviors include actions to check and re-check whether a door is locked, making and following strict schedules, and counting behavior.

	Causes
	Symptoms
	Treatment

Causes

Strong guilt feeling and fear of punishment often prompt anxiety and self-defensive behavior. Individuals try to counteract forbidden desires and overcome their guilt feeling by means of compulsive rituals.

Chemical imbalances in the brain also cause obsessive compulsive disorder.

Studies show that hereditary is one of the causal factors of OCD. This genetic contribution to obsessive compulsive behavior is due to higher monozygotic concordance rate. Males and first-born children are more vulnerable to it.

Symptoms

Many individuals experience persistent thoughts. But in obsessive compulsive disorder, these thoughts become more persistent, irrational and interfere in everyday activities. Even if individuals do not carry out these thoughts into action, they remain as a source of torment to them. They feel compelled to perform some action, which they realize are quite absurd. Individuals fearing germ infection might wear gloves, wash their hands and utensils excessively through out the day. Such patients might have chafed and reddened hands.

Beginning in early adulthood, obsessive compulsive disorder has a gradual onset. Usually the disorder has a waxing and waning course. Some individuals may show a steady deterioration in psychosocial functioning.

Treatment

Drug therapy or behavior therapy or a combination of the two is the most effective treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder. Depending on the nature and severity of the disorder treatment is given.

Drug therapy helps to cure OCD only 50 to 60 per cent. Drugs effectively cure physical disorders like reddened hands and loss of hair patches. Whereas, deep rooted psychological causes are tackled by behavior therapy.

Cases where individuals have time consuming compulsions, behavior therapy is very effective. This therapy exposes individuals to stressful situations. It helps patients to discriminate between imagined fears and reality. It teaches the patients various methods to control persistent thoughts and compulsive behavior. This can be achieved by making the patient gradually learn to substitute compulsions with new activities. Such behavioral techniques should be backed by positive reinforcement. Support and encouragement from family and friends hoist their spirits.

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