Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Distressing Thoughts, Repetitive Behaviours (And Repeat)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition which can be distressing and severely interfere with your life.

But, treatment can keep it under control

If you have OCD, you’ll usually experience frequent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours:

• Obsession: it is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feeling of anxiety, disgust or unease
• Compulsion: it is a repetitive behaviour that you feel you need to carry out to try to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought

For example, someone may have an obsessive fear of being burgled which they try to overcome with the need to check the doors are locked several times before they leave (compulsion)

What are the causes?

It’s unclear what exactly causes OCD but many factors are thought to play a role:

• Family history: there are some genetic links to OCD
• Life events: like abuse and neglect; sometimes it can start after a big event such as childbirth
• Chemical imbalance in the brain: low levels of serotonin
• Personality: meticulous and methodical people with high personal standards may be more likely to develop OCD

What about treatment?

People with OCD are often reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed but there is nothing to feel embarrassed about and treatment can really help:

• Psychology: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) enables you to face your ‘obsessive thoughts’ without having to put them right with ‘compulsions’. CBT can usually have an effect quite quickly!
• Medication: antidepressants can help by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain; these may take several months to work

OCD is unlikely to get better without proper treatment and support

Support groups are beneficial.

LAMSA’s note: we would like to thank Doctor Shireen for her collaboration