Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), an anxiety-type disorder, is a disease that restricts people by trapping them in a cycle of repetitive thoughts and behaviors.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a psychological disorder that causes thoughts that the person cannot control, even if they do not make sense, and makes them feel the need to perform certain actions over and over again to relieve the obsession. It causes repetitive thoughts and behaviors and can be treated with medication or therapy depending on the patient's condition. Obsessions and anxious thoughts that disrupt the functioning of daily life may be among the symptoms of the disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, which can also be seen in childhood, can continue with severe symptoms in some cases. OCD usually starts at the age of 7-12.
Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder feel constant fear due to involuntary thoughts that occupy their minds and cause anxiety. These people repeatedly check their routine behaviors such as locking the door and washing their hands in order to get rid of the worrisome thoughts. When people with obsessive-compulsive disorder do not act on these intrusive thoughts, the obsessive disorder may worsen. The person cannot fulfill their responsibilities because of their obsessions and their quality of life deteriorates. The most common obsessive-compulsive disorders are control compulsion and obsession with doubt.
What are the symptoms of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)?
Common obsession symptoms:
- Fear of contamination by dirt or germs
- Fear of harming others
- Fear of making mistakes
- Fear of being humiliated or behaving in a socially unacceptable way
- Fear of evil or sinful thinking
- The need for order, symmetry, perfection
- Excessive suspicion and the need for constant reassurance
Common compulsive symptoms:
- Repeated washing, showering or washing hands
- Refusing to shake hands or touch a doorknob
- Constantly checking things like locks and stoves
- Continuous counting internally or aloud while performing routine tasks
- Constantly organizing things in a certain way
- Eating in a specific order
- Fixation on words, images or thoughts that are often disturbing, haunting and disrupting sleep
- Repeating certain words, phrases or prayers
- The need to do things a certain number of times
- Collecting or hoarding things that have no value
Causes of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
Although the cause is not fully understood, research has shown that biological and environmental factors may be associated with OCD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder that needs to be treated. Before treatment, it is necessary to determine whether the condition is caused by environmental factors or biological genetic factors.
Environmental factors: Some environmental stressors can trigger OCD. Certain environmental factors can worsen the condition. These include;
- Harassment
- Vital changes
- Disease
- Death of a loved one
- Changes or problems at work or school
- Relationship concerns
How common is OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)?
OCD affects 3.3 million adults and 1 million children and adolescents in the USA. The disorder first appears in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. It occurs equally in men and women regardless of race or socioeconomic background.
How is OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Diagnosed?
There is no laboratory test for OCD. The doctor makes the diagnosis by evaluating the patient's symptoms, including the time the patient spends on rituals.
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Treatment
OCD does not go away on its own, so it is important to treat it. The best treatment is medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cognitive behavior therapy: The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help those with OCD to face their fears without performing rituals and to reduce anxiety. This therapy also focuses on reducing exaggerated or catastrophic thoughts that are common in those with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Medications
Tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be helpful in the treatment of OCD. In severe cases where patients do not respond to medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or neurosurgery may be used. During ECT, electrodes are attached to the patient's head and a series of electric shocks are delivered to the brain that cause seizures, which in turn cause neurotransmitters to be released in the brain.
As a result of continuous treatment, patients live normal or near-normal lives. Early diagnosis always reduces the duration of treatment.
How Long Does OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Treatment Last?
Although the first effects in the direction of improvement begin to be seen within 15-20 days in patients treated with medication, the time required for a significant clinical response may take 8-12 weeks. In patients treated with antidepressant medication, the treatment is successful with the use of medication and supportive therapies for approximately 1-2 years.
Recent Developments in the Treatment of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders prepared by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013, obsessive-compulsive disorder was removed from the title of "anxiety disorder" and presented as a new category called "Obsessive Compulsive Disorders". Although OCD is similar to anxiety disorder in terms of brain imaging, genetics and response to treatment, the basic building block of OCD is not anxiety. For this reason, OCD is not presented under the same heading.
The duration of use for SSRI-type drugs used in the treatment of OCD is reported as 6-12 months. It has been observed that reducing the use of medication before 6-12 months increases the risk of recurrence of the disease.
Neuromodulation therapy may be recommended for patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and resistance to treatment. In neuromodulation therapies, surgical intervention is performed on the part of the brain affected by the disease and showing abnormalities. Electrodes are placed to provide electrical stimulation in the target area. There are also neuromodulation methods that do not involve surgical intervention and are used to treat OCD.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Test
The obsessive-compulsive disorder test was developed to assess the severity of obsession and compulsion symptoms, and its scoring should be assessed by a specialist. The obsessive-compulsive disorder test, which enables observation of people's behavior, helps to diagnose the disorder. After the obsessive-compulsive disorder test, the most appropriate treatment method is selected by the clinical specialist.
Click for Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Test
