People who are obsessive about cleanliness, being organised, or being unusually disciplined are described as persons with obsessive compulsive disorder. This is an inappropriate usage of the term as it tends to minimise the suffering and severity associated with OCD. But the characteristics of this disorder, when diagnosed, must not be taken lightly.
DSM-5th edition describes obsession as disturbing and unwanted thoughts, images that cause great distress, anxiety, and urge. Compulsions, according to DSM-5, are attempts made by an individual to cloud the obsessions with eccentric behaviour. The main areas of activity of an individual are impaired as compulsions steal most of the time.
Though obsessive compulsive disorder is misconstrued to be fear of germs or a need for orderliness, there are just two indicators for OCD i.e obsession and compulsion. Besides explaining everything about OCD, this article brings to light the myths about OCD that have to be demystified.
Common Myths about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
One in every 100 adults in the US is affected by OCD which is a mental illness. Despite being so common, OCD is the most misconstrued medical condition. The stereotypical portrayal of this disorder on the screen could be the reason for this misunderstanding. Some of the myths about OCD that need to be debunked are:
1. Every Clean Freak has OCD
An obsession with cleanliness, such as excessively cleaning household items or constantly washing your hands, is a common symptom of OCD. According to Jeff Szymanski, the executive director of the International OCD Foundation, being overly concerned about cleanliness can also be a personality trait. If it is a personality trait, you have control over it. You can choose to either do it or not. But if it is an OCD trait, then you are acting out of crippling anxiety.
2. Stress is a Risk Factor for OCD
People with OCD cannot relax and stop being obsessed. OCD kindles uncontrollable anxiety and fears. Stressful situations can aggravate the symptoms in people who are dealing with this disorder. Stress alone cannot be the cause of OCD.
3. There is No Treatment for OCD
Embarrassment is one reason why people with OCD do not seek help and the myth that there is no treatment for OCD has developed. OCD can be treated with behavioural therapies or medications. Some of them may need both. It cannot be cured but can be controlled with treatments.
4. Only Women Have OCD
Though it may appear that women are more affected by anxiety disorders like OCD than men, the International OCD Foundation reports that women, children, and men are equally affected by OCD. While the symptoms can emerge at any age, it is common between the age of 10 to 12 years or during early childhood and adolescence.
5. OCD can be Diagnosed with Tests
Unlike medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or cancer, OCD cannot be diagnosed with scans or blood tests. Your doctor will perform a physical examination and recommend tests to eliminate other medical conditions. If a mental health expert suspects OCD, then you may be asked a series of questions to check for 3 signs of OCD i.e., compulsive behaviours, obsessions, and whether or not they come in the way of regular activities.
6. Kids are Not Affected by OCD
OCD can strike at any early age of 4. In an average-size elementary school, you can spot 4 to 5 kids with OCD. Medium and large schools will have approximately 20 students dealing with this disorder.
What are the OCD Causes?
Though experts have not been successful in unearthing the exact OCD causes, it is presumed that a family history of OCD plays a crucial role. If any of your family members has OCD, you have all the chances of developing this condition.
Impairment in certain areas of the brain or abnormalities in brain development can also be some of the OCD causes. The response of your brain to serotonin, the neurotransmitter that controls your mood and sleep, can also be one of the causes of OCD.
Risk Factors of OCD
If genetics can become the most probable cause for your OCD, there are possibilities that the risk factors mentioned below may also increase your susceptibility to obsessive compulsive disorder.
- Abuse in childhood: Persons who were victims of childhood traumas like being neglected or bullied are more prone to developing this disorder.
- Childhood acute neuropsychiatric symptoms (CANS): Sometimes, children who have had an infection are likely to develop obsessive compulsive disorder. It could be paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders after being infected by streptococcus. OCD symptoms can occur with other infections as well.
- Personality traits: Being perfect, unable to handle uncertainty, overwhelmed by responsibility, etc. are some of the personality traits that could lead to OCD. Whether these are the only traits is still a subject of debate.
- Stress or Trauma: Stress of any nature can also be one of the risk factors. It could be a reason for developing the disorder or worsen the symptoms already existing.
- Head injury: According to studies, symptoms of OCD though not existing, could appear for the first time subsequent to a head injury.
Other mental conditions mentioned below can also be reasons for developing OCD:
- ADHD or Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Tourette Syndrome
The most common additional mental health condition in most persons who have OCD is anxiety. However, it cannot be generalised that people with any of the above-mentioned conditions are dealing with OCD as well
Different OCD Types
Obsession and compulsion are not personal choices for persons suffering from OCD. Instead, they complicate and intervene in their daily life. Many of them realise that the beliefs and thoughts that fuel their behaviour are not logical though also not implausible. However, they rely on these rituals to alleviate the anguish caused by these obsessive thoughts and to prevent these constant fears from becoming a reality.
However, not all obsessive compulsive disorders are similar. There is no formal categorisation of OCD types but the OCD symptoms are classified into several subtypes:
- Repeated checking for fear of harm
- Intrusive sexual, taboo, or other violent thoughts
- Hoarding or collecting
- Perfectionism, orderliness, and symmetry
- Cleaning and contamination
Your symptoms may fit into any of the above subtypes or may fit into multiple categories. These subtypes may be unofficial because the OCD symptoms may not fit into just one category. Besides the ones mentioned above, there are other unofficial subtypes like:
- Scrupulosity: This involves religious beliefs-related obsessions and compulsions. If you have an atheistic thought, you may feel compelled to count several times, pray a certain number of times, or touch several objects to cancel it out.
- Pure O (obsession): includes intrusive sexual, violent, or religious thoughts and obsessions but no obvious compulsions. Compulsions may still exist in Pure O but they may not manifest as physical actions but as mental rituals.
- Relationship OCD: includes questions, doubts, and disturbing thoughts about your relationships.
Treatment Recommended for OCD
The myth that there is no OCD treatment is baseless. Mental health experts recommend therapy or medication or sometimes both to overcome OCD. The exposure and response prevention (ERP) approach is generally recommended for OCD. Other approaches, such as mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), may be more beneficial.
If you have severe OCD symptoms or the therapy does not benefit you, then you might be suggested to seek help from a psychiatrist regarding medication. Antidepressants and antipsychotics are two medications that can help with OCD symptoms. Deep brain stimulation is a novel treatment method that might help alleviate OCD symptoms.
Conclusion
Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways. Any kind of OCD symptoms can be overcome with treatment. You should talk to a mental health expert if your OCD symptoms make it difficult for you to cope with personal relationships and daily responsibilities.
