Do you or a loved one experience
recurring, unwanted thoughts
and behaviours?
We’re here to help.
What is OCD?
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition consisting of symptoms such as unwanted thoughts, ideas, images, rituals and repetitive behaviors.
Person with OCD can have an obsession or a compulsion or both.
As obsessions are unwanted, it causes anxiety and uneasiness. This anxiety is very severe and to ease it out one may engage in some behavior. Compulsions are actions or behaviors that are performed to reduce anxiety. But often it may not reduce anxiety, rather it is increased. The person gets caught up in this vicious cycle of repetitive thoughts and behavior.
Symptoms of OCD
One might fear getting a serious physical illness by germs or any infection cause by contamination. This preoccupation will interfere with his activities of daily living like spending too much time on keeping things clean, repeated washing of hands, restricting physical contact with people or things around him, not engaging in physical intimacy. Another example could be one fear burglary so will have the urge to keep checking locks.
Symptoms of Obsessions
Fear of dirt and germs
Fear of harming self or others
Religious obsessions
Unwanted sexual thoughts
Need for symmetry
Symptoms of Compulsions
Cleaning Compulsions
Checking Compulsions
Repeating
Rituals
Hoarding useless objects
Arranging and Rearranging
Causes of OCD
There is no single cause for OCD. A number of factors can be at play. Family history and genetics, changes in brain chemicals, stressful life events, social stressors and personality traits too can lead to OCD.
Impact of OCD
OCD symptoms are time consuming and interfere with activities of daily living such as house hold chores, occupational performance, interpersonal relationship, family responsibilities and social engagement.
OCD symptoms cause significant anxiety and distress but treatment can help you to manage the symptoms and function better.
Treatment
OCD is treatable. Often people hesitate to seek help as they feel ashamed or stigmatized. It is not your fault. It is a condition which can be effectively treated.
Treatment includes
- Pharmacotherapy that is medicines prescribed by a Psychiatrist. Intervention like rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) is also known to be effective along with medicines.
- Psychotherapy administered by Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist. Evidenced based therapies like CBT, ERP works wonders for OCD.
A comprehensive treatment which includes medicines and psychotherapy gives a better chance at recovery.
Who we are
Team MindPlus – Led by Dr. Kunal Kala, Psychiatrist, MBBS MSc MRCPsych (UK)
