There are many mental illnesses and disorders that affect millions of people lives. One such disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), typically manifests in men during the late teen years and in women during the early twenties. In the past, OCD has been difficult to diagnose, with a range of symptoms making a diagnosis more difficult. In addition, there are a variety of different therapies and treatments that can be adopted in order to alleviate the symptoms and help a patient return to a somewhat normal life. Patients often have difficulty in social situations and can find it difficult to perform work and academic pursuits successfully. Obsessive compulsive disorder is a serious mental illness. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD causes people to suffer in silence and secrecy and can destroy relationships and the ability to work. It may bring on shame, ridicule, anger, and intolerance from friends and family. Although it has been reported in children, it strikes most often during adolescence or young adult years. The illness can affect people in any income bracket, of any race, gender, or ethnic group and in any occupation. If people recognize the symptoms and seek treatment, OCD can be controlled.
There are several types of OCD that present in different ways.
Checking – This is a need to repeatedly check something for harm, leaks, damage, or fire. Checking can include repeatedly monitoring taps, alarms, car doors, house lights or other appliances. Under this, checking also applies for checking on people which can occur hundreds of times and often for hours, regardless of the individual’s commitments. Repeatedly confirming the authenticity of memories is also a form of OCD.
Contamination or Mental Contamination – This occurs when a person with OCD feels the constant need to wash each and every thing touched and obsesses that the objects they touch are contaminated. This can lead to excessive tooth brushing, over cleaning etc. Mental contamination is the feeling of being ‘dirty’ after being mistreated or put down. In this type of contamination it is always somebody else that is responsible. A person with this OCD will try to scrub out this feeling by showering and washing oneself excessively.
Hoarding – This is the inability to throw away used or useless possessions
Ruminating – Ruminating involves an extended and unfocused obsessive train of thought that focuses on wide-ranging, broad, and often philosophical topics, such as what happens after death or the beginning of the Universe. The person may seem detached and deep in thought. However, the ruminating never reaches a satisfactory conclusion.
Intrusive Thoughts – These are often violent, horrific obsessional thoughts that often involve hurting a loved one violently or sexually. They are not produced out of choice and can cause the person with OCD severe distress. These thoughts can include obsessions about relationships, killing others or suicide, a fear of being a paedophile or being obsessed with superstitions.
Symmetry and orderliness – A person with OCD may also be obsessed about objects being lined up to avoid discomfort or harm. For example they may adjust the books on the shelves repeatedly so that they are all straights and perfectly lined up.
Harm to loved ones – For some people, the fear is not necessarily that they will harm someone but that some type of harm will come to their loved ones. For instance, someone may obsess over the thought that their child will get hurt in a car accident. Compulsive behaviours could be anything but are often used to prevent the harm from occurring.
Doubt and incompleteness – OCD can cause recurring thoughts that a person hasn’t done something correctly or completely. An example might be someone who doubts they have locked the door when leaving the house. This type of obsessive thought usually triggers compulsive checking behaviours, like going back to the door multiple times to be sure it is locked.
Sin, religion, and morality – Some people worry obsessively about being immoral or sinning. They may use prayer compulsively or ask for forgiveness over and over again.
Germs and contamination – A fear of germs and a need to wash hands compulsively is often what people associate with OCD, and it is a common feature. Many people diagnosed with OCD are afraid of germs or other types of contamination and may avoid situations and activities because of this fear. Compulsive hand-washing and cleaning are also typical.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) – BDD causes obsessive thoughts about one’s appearance, specifically perceived flaws. Often these flaws are non-existent, minor, or skewed and not perceived by others. A person with BDD spends a lot of time looking in the mirror, using makeup, and engaging in other activities related to appearance, in some cases even including plastic surgery.
Other or unspecified OCD – These are diagnoses that may be made for a person who has some or many of the signs of OCD or a related condition.
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