What is OCD?
OCD is an illness which includes different symptoms in the form of obsessions and compulsions. These obsession and compulsions lead to significant dysfunction in a person’s day to day activities and relationship. Around 2-3% of the general population is suffering from this. The mean age of onset is around 20 years and in a majority of the patient (85%) it's course is continuous.
Obsession: It is defined as a recurrent and intrusive thought, image, idea, feeling, and impulse.
Compulsion: It is a repetitive behaviour in response to the obsession. These compulsions are done to relieve anxiety secondary to obsession, but it may not relieve anxiety or sometimes it may increase. If a person resists compulsion than anxiety increases.
Characteristic of obsession
- Recurrent and intrusive
- Irrational and senseless
- Ego-dystonic (unwanted behaviour)
- Against will (unable to control)
- Unpleasurable
Common obsession:
Contamination, pathological doubt, somatic, need for symmetry, aggressive and sexual one.
Common compulsion:
Checking, washing, counting, need to ask or confess, symmetry and precision, hoarding and multiple comparisons.
What to do?
If you or someone else having these symptoms, then visit a psychiatrist for treatment.
Treatment:
Treatment includes pharmacology and behavioural therapy (if the patient is truly committed) or both. The final decision depends on treating psychiatrist and patient acceptance.