OCD - OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (symptoms, types + treatment)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions) or the urge to do something over and over again (compulsions). Some people can have both obsessions and compulsions. People with OCD have thoughts or actions that are not under their control and can take up at least an hour a day. 2% of the general population has OCD. 76% of people with OCD also have another anxiety disorder.

• Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges or images that are experienced as intrusive or unwanted and cause marked anxiety or distress. Obsessions can be so intrusive that you might not want to think about a certain thing, but if a distressing thought comes into your head, you just can't get rid of it. For example, worrying about having left doors or appliances.
• Compulsions are repetitive behaviors like hand washing, checking, mental acts like, praying or counting, feeling driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules. For example, checking the door lock for a multiple number of times.

OCD RISK FACTORS:

• Any first-degree relative, a parent, sibling or child with OCD.
• Physical differences in certain parts of the brain.
• Depression, anxiety, etc.
• Experience with trauma
• History of physical or sexual abuse

OCD TYPES AND SYMPTOMS:

1. Checking - Such as locks, doors, windows, water taps, lights, own piece of writing, thinking you have a medical condition, etc.
2. Contamination - A fear of things that might be dirty or a compulsion to clean. Includes washing hands, bathing, wiping things before using, etc.
3. Symmetry and ordering - The need to have things lined up in a certain way. 
4. Aggressive - Such as accidentally hurting others on self, violent or repulsive thoughts, images or words, acting out in antisocial ways in public.
5. Religious - Such as doubting belief or faith, being deliberately sinful, thoughts of being possessed, having to be perfectly religious, etc.
6. Harm/danger/loss/embarrassment - Having an accident or injury, being rejected by a loved one, never being able to be happy, being cheated on, etc.
7. Body/health focused - Parts of body being ugly or disfigured in some way, marks or scars, parts of the body being too large or small, being overweight or underweight, etc.
8. Perfectionist- Wanting to say or do things perfecting, appearing perfectly, making or keeping home or possessions perfectly clean, perfect clothing, etc.
9. Superstitious or magical - Having a bad luck, lucky/unlucky numbers or colors, being possessed, thinking thoughts in reverse, mentally arranging images, etc.
10. Mutual - Counting, repetitive behaviors, breathing, eye blinking, heart beat, ringing in ears, etc.

OTHER OCD-RELATED CONDITIONS:

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder - body/appearance focused
• Hoarding Disorder - arranging, ordering or collecting things
• Trichotillomania - pulling you hair
• Hypochondriasis - physical illness
• Olfactory Reference Syndrome - body odor
• Excoriation - picking at skin
• Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) - extreme perfectionism or cleanliness 

OCD TREATMENT:

If you have OCD it is definitely recommended to seek therapy. Your doctor/therapist may take a physical examination or a blood test to ensure that something else isn't causing you the symptoms. They may also ask you to list your feelings, thoughts or habits.

1. Medication - There are a number of medications that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of OCD. Most of these belong to antidepressants called the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). They might take 2-3 months to start working.
2. Psychotherapy - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help change your thinking patterns. Other type of behavioral therapy is called as Exposure and Response prevention therapy (ERP). Over two-thirds of people who complete either from of therapy, have noticed a significant decrease in the symptoms.
3. Relaxation - Relaxation techniques like yoga, mediation or a simple massage can help with sever symptoms of OCD. Aerobic exercise can also be helpful.

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