What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a psychological condition in which the individual engages in repetitive behavior. Obsessions and compulsions affect the thought process and behavior.
- Obsessions: The individual suffers from untreated thoughts that affect their everyday functioning.
- Compulsions: The individual has intrusive thoughts that push them to engage in repetitive behavior against the norms.
Subtypes of OCD and Their Symptoms
The subtypes of OCD are:
- Cleaning and Contamination: The individual has recurrent thoughts of getting sick because of the germs; hence, they wash their hands often. The symptoms include:
- The individual constantly worries about getting ill.
- The person feels they are physically unclean.
- The individual constantly worries about getting exposed to blood, viral infections, and toxic substances.
- The individual has compulsions to wash themselves and surrounding objects.
- OCD causes the person to wash and scrub the surfaces multiple times daily.
- Symmetry and Ordering: The individual feels everything should be aligned and organized in a specific way. The symptoms include:
- They need to be symmetrically organized. The individual feels they need to align the objects in order of color or height.
- The person feels something bad will happen if they fail to arrange the objects in symmetry.
- The individuals feel incomplete and uneasy without arranging the objects in order.
- Forbidden Thoughts: The violent and sexually intrusive thoughts affect the behavior of the individual. The symptoms include:
- The person has intrusive and violent thoughts that cause guilt, shame, and embarrassment.
- The individual constantly thinks of their desires and sexual identity.
- The person feels they may harm someone. They perceive themselves as ominous and violent individuals.
- The individual constantly reminds themselves they cannot engage in violent acts that can cause harm to others.
- Hoarding: The individual keeps stacking old useless things, as they feel throwing away the objects can cause harm. The symptoms include:
- The individual has the persistent feeling that through away the items can harm others.
- The individual collects useless objects, as they perceive them as weapons.
- The person invests in useless items, as they feel the objects can save them from others.
- The misplacements of the objects cause extreme discomfort. They feel it will contaminate their house with toxins.
Diagnosis:
OCD tests include psychological assessment and blood testing.
- Psychological Assessment: The psychiatrist will conduct a psychological assessment to understand the cause of their feelings, behavior, and thinking. The DSM-5 criteria confirm the diagnosis of mental health problems. Furthermore, the family members pinpoint the behavior activities indicating OCD. It helps to select the suitable therapeutic intervention.
- Blood Testing: The testing allows the specialist to understand the cause of the symptoms. Individuals using illicit drugs are more likely to exhibit symptoms of OCD.
Effective Treatment Options
Treating OCD requires a combination of medications and therapies. The effective treatment options include:
- Use of Antidepressants: The medications allow the individual to manage their anxiety.
- Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy enables the client to overcome negative thinking that helps control behavior. Also, desensitization helps the person respond to the stimulus positively.
If you think you have the signs of OCD, rather than fretting about it, you should consult an expert at Fitcy Health. They can help you get a diagnosis for the condition, alongside helping you treat and manage it.