Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
We have heard the coined phrase “You’re so OCD…!” when describing someone who is extremely particular. We could also describe them as conscientious, meticulous, perhaps thorough, maybe over-the-top.
Some of us can relate to this, if you have found yourself rechecking the alarm system or that the door is locked prior to leaving for a long weekend or vacation.
Perhaps you have found yourself rechecking the ingredients and instructions of a new recipe, to ensure the success of your dish for an important event.
Or you have diligently washed your hands to remove the paint or turpentine off your skin.
However, the above are not indicative of OCD if they do not interfere with your everyday life. Your diligent efforts line up with your thoughts and concerns, and your actions stopped within an appropriate time frame.
What is OCD?
OCD is an anxiety disorder with a vicious cycle of unwanted intrusive thoughts – the obsessions – leading to heightened emotions.
These in turn produce repetitive or ritualistic behaviors – the compulsions – to relieve the stress associated with the fears.
Persons with OCD have unrealistic fears, such as becoming contaminated and becoming seriously ill. Perhaps they harbour a dreaded fear of harm to their family or themselves.
Despite efforts to ignore the intrusive thoughts and awareness that their fears are unrealistic, people with OCD are not able to stop the cycle. When it does stop, before long the cycle will repeat itself, leading to a stressful and incapacitating life.
Other commonly co-occurring conditions with OCD are depression, ADHD, and eating disorders. Some research has suggested that there is suspected association with Tourette’s syndrome and hypochondria.
What triggers OCD?
OCD could be triggered by a traumatic or life changing event experienced during childhood, adolescence or adulthood, which may have instilled a new sense of greater responsibility.
Examples may include a child changing schools, a student leaving home to enter university, becoming a new parent, a new job or promotion, or changes in puberty can all provoke the anxiety condition.
Risk factors are linked to an inherited biological predisposition and from environmental influences from past experiences, which can produce attitudes and misaligned thought patterns.
Research has suggested that the serotonin neurotransmitter system in the brain, along with other chemical messengers may not be functioning within their normal limits.
Obsessions and Compulsions
Some of the most common compulsions have themes such as washing and cleaning (until your skin becomes raw), checking (for example, checking doors repeatedly to make sure they’re locked), counting (in certain patterns), ordering, following a strict routine, and demanding reassurance.
Research tells us that the 5 most common OCD obsessions are the following:
- Fear of germs or viruses
- Fear of harm from unlocked doors and fire hazards.
- Uncontrolled concern with tidiness, a sense of order, straightening objects, etc.
- Pre-occupation with their body image, body parts, or body functions.
- Consistent undesirable negative intrusive thoughts.
Feelings of frustration, shame and embarrassment are common feelings associated with having OCD, but the good news is treatment has been successful in helping these individuals lead more hand happier lives, with the aid of medication and therapy.
Counselling for OCD
OCD is treatable, and therapy and prescribed medications have proven to be successful in providing these individuals a healthier and happier life.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) has been commonly used to treat clients with OCD with positive results.
It involves gradually exposing them to their source of fear – the stimulus – to help resolve their irrational thought patterns and steadily decreases their anxiety and ritual compulsive behavior.
ERP is based on the idea that gradual exposure to the feared stimulus will change the obsessive behaviours, leading to a change in beliefs, then to a change in their emotions.
Furthermore, according to the National Institute of Health, commonly prescribed Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Luvox or Paxil, have an above 50% effectiveness in reducing frequency and severity of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviour.
However, relapse often occurs after discontinuation of medication.
It is important to note here that persons with OCD must meet with a medical doctor or physician to discuss what is the best medication to treat their disorder.
Supporting someone with OCD
Here are some guidance how to support someone with OCD:
- Don’t show your frustration by telling them to “stop!”, as this will only increase their anxiety and worsen the behaviour.
- Don’t assume they are lazy and unwilling to change. They know their fears and behavior is abnormal, but they are not able to stop on their own.
- Don’t assist them with their compulsions, even with the best of intentions to help speed up or alleviate their anxiety. This will only reinforce their OCD behavior.
- Do take the time to research the condition of OCD, to get a better understanding of the signs and symptoms, to understand what the person is experiencing, how you can help, and that OCD is treatable with medication and therapy.
- Do encourage the person with OCD to seek the medical attention they need and deserve to live a healthier and happier life.
- Do seek extra support when trying to support a loved one with OCD. Do remember to set your boundaries and join a support group who share the same concerns.
- Do be patient with the person suffering from OCD, and do be kind to yourself, as this condition affects everyone involved.