Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common chronic disorder characterized by obsessions (recurring thoughts), compulsions (behaviors) or both. Some sufferers also have a tic disorder – either sudden, brief, repetitive motor tics such as grimacing, shrugging of the shoulders, blinking or jerking the head or shoulders or vocal tics such as repetitive sniffing, grunting or throat-clearing.

Over time, OCD symptoms might ease, worsen, or come and go. Sufferers might try to ease their condition by avoiding trigger situations or they may self-medicate alcohol or drugs in an attempt to calm themselves. Although most adults with OCD recognize that their obsessions and/or compulsions don’t make sense, some adults and most children may not realize their behavior is unusual. In the case of children, it is typically the parents or teachers who recognize the OCD symptoms.

Obsessions might include:

Fear of contamination or germs
Worrying about some sort of harm affecting oneself or others
Fear of misplacing or losing something
Unwanted and taboo thoughts involving religion, sex, etc
Arranging things symmetrically or in a perfect order

Compulsions may include:

Cleaning or washing a body part, such as your hands, excessively
Hoarding unnecessary objects
Arranging or ordering items in a specific, precise way
Repeatedly double-checking things, for example, making sure you have locked door
Counting items repeatedly
Seeking reassurance constantly

Not all rituals are compulsions, of course – everyone double-checks things on occasion. But those with OCD generally can’t control their behaviors or thoughts, even when they realize they are excessive. They can spend at least an hour on these behaviors or thoughts, ad don’t get any pleasure from them, except perhaps a brief relief from the anxiety caused by the thoughts. If someone has OCD, these thoughts and behaviors will cause significant problems in their daily life.

Risk factors of OCD

OCD could have a genetic component and sometimes runs in families, but no one knows for certain why some family members develop it while others don’t. The onset is in adolescence or young adulthood, and it tends to appear at a younger age in boys than girls. Research indicates that several parts of the brain, as well as biological processes, play a key role in obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior, as well as the associated anxiety and fear. People who have suffered sexual or physical trauma are at an increased risk for developing OCD.

What is the difference between daily habits and compulsive behaviors?

Some daily habits can be very similar to the compulsive behaviors of someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, they can be distinguished by some key points:

– People with OCD cannot control their compulsive behaviors, unlike normal habits which can be controlled and performed when needed.

– Daily habits do not require much time to perform, unlike compulsive behaviors, which can take an hour or more, such as checking, counting, or arranging belongings.

– Compulsive behaviors do not bring satisfaction, unlike daily habits, which often lead to a feeling of satisfaction.

What are the risk factors that may lead to OCD?

Several factors can increase a person’s risk of developing OCD. These factors include:

– Family environment, where a member with OCD may project their behaviors onto other family members, who then adopt and apply these behaviors in their daily lives. – Trauma and sudden events are also among the factors that increase the risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), due to the feelings of constant stress and anxiety they generate.

– Emotional disturbances can also make a person more susceptible to OCD, as they increase their reactions to various situations.

– Some mental illnesses cause brain dysfunction or mental health problems, generating feelings of anxiety and depression in the patient.

What are the complications of OCD?

Since OCD compels the patient to perform certain behaviors involuntarily and without the ability to control them, this disorder can directly affect the patient’s lifestyle. Among the complications that can arise from this condition are:

– Repetitive and excessive behaviors that cannot be controlled

– Physical health problems such as skin damage due to excessive washing

– Difficulty completing daily tasks at work, school, or university

– Avoiding social interaction and group gatherings due to fear of germs or infection

– Difficulty forming relationships due to fear of close contact with others

– Inability to adapt to public places

– Disruptions in eating habits and daily routines

How is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) diagnosed?

A psychiatrist needs to follow several necessary steps to diagnose OCD, including psychological and physical examinations, which are distributed as follows:

– A psychological evaluation of the patient, where the doctor carefully examines the patient’s behaviors, thoughts, and fears, and then discusses their causes and impact on the patient’s life.

– The patient is asked to record their behaviors and thoughts daily in a special diary to be discussed during the follow-up session with the doctor.

– Physical examinations are conducted to ensure that the patient’s symptoms are not caused by other medical conditions besides obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

How is OCD treated?

After a thorough diagnosis by the doctor, who determines that the patient has OCD, the appropriate treatment methods are identified. The following medical procedures are often followed:

– Medications specifically for OCD: These are prescribed by the psychiatrist after identifying the patient’s symptoms and their severity. These medications include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and others.

– Psychotherapy: The psychiatrist dedicates a number of specific sessions to the patient to help them overcome their compulsive behaviors and return to their normal lifestyle.

In some cases, the doctor may combine both treatments, meaning specialized therapy sessions alongside appropriate medication, depending on each patient’s individual needs.

Book Your Appointment at Novomed

If you think you have OCD, talk to one of our professional therapists at Novomed clinics in Dubai about your symptoms. If left untreated, OCD can interfere in all aspects of life and prevent you from enjoying life.

To book an appointment or for more information about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment, call us toll-free on 800 (NOVO) 6686 or click the live chat icon at the bottom of the screen.