Here’s How to Identify the Presence of OCD in A Loved One
Here’s How to Identify the Presence of OCD in A Loved One
There are times when each one of us tend to develop some sort of unwanted thoughts related to a particular situation. However, after putting in a bit of effort (sometimes more), we succeed to overcome such thoughts. But when a person develops any such thoughts that aren’t real and are just his/her imagination, he/she is probably affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCD is a form of mental disorder that is characterized by excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions tend to interfere with the person’s daily life and in turn, cause significant distress in his/her life. Although a person may try to get rid of these obsessions but only tends to increase his/her anxiety and stress. This forces the person to make attempts to get rid of stress that, in turn, leads to the development of the vicious cycle of OCD.
According to the National Health Portal of India (NHP), two to three persons in every hundred persons have OCD in their lifetime.
Symptoms The Signify the Presence of OCD
A person dealing with OCD generally experiences both compulsions and obsessions. However, it is also possible that the person develops only one form of symptom that interferes with his/her everyday life. Mentioned below are some of the common symptoms that identify its presence under both the categories:
Obsessions:ons are generally around things like fear of contamination or dirt, doubting and having difficulty tolerating uncertainty, wanting things in an orderly and symmetrical manner, aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control and harming oneself or others, and unwanted thoughts, including aggression. Some of the common examples of obsession include:
- Fear of being contaminated by touching objects touched by others.
- Having doubt about locking the door or turning off the stove.
- Stress about keeping things in an orderly manner.
- Imagining images of driving their car into a crowd of people.
- Having thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately in public.
- Thinking of unpleasant sexual images.
- Avoiding situations that can trigger obsessions, such as shaking hands.
Compulsions
A person feels compulsion to do tasks such as washing and cleaning, checking, counting, orderliness, and following a strict routine. Compulsion can be identified in the following ways:
- Handwashing until their skin becomes dry.
- Repetitive checking of doors for lock.
- Checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it’s off.
- Silently repeating a prayer, word, or phrase.
- Arranging their canned goods to face the same way.
- Counting in a certain pattern.
Causes & Diagnosis of OCD
OCD can be caused due to multiple factors. Some of these include:
- Genetics
- Changes in brain functioning.
- Learning by observing family members.
- Family history of OCD.
- Stressful life events.
- Emotional distress
- Other mental health condition
- Substance use
Treatment for OCD
Psychological evaluation and physical examination can help in diagnosing the presence of OCD. However, diagnosing its presence can sometimes be difficult as its symptoms are similar to some other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. Therefore, seeking help from a mental health expert is recommended.
If you or someone you know is showing symptoms of its presence and is looking for a mental health expert for advice, Athena Behavioral Health is the place to be. Athena Behavioral Health is one of the leading providers of mental health recovery and addiction treatment plans in Delhi/NCR. Located in the hub of nature with the best amenities, our facility is one of the best Mental Health Treatment Center in Gurgaon that has a team of experienced psychologists to assure your speedy recovery. Based on your condition, the treatment plan offered by our experts can be a mix of medications, therapies, and other required provisions. If you know someone who is looking for such facility or is dealing with OCD or any other mental illness, call us today at 9289086193 You can also drop us an email at info@athenabhs.com
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