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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | Dr Pradeep Chaurasia

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions) or the urge to do something over and over again (compulsions). Some people can have both obsessions and compulsions.

OCD isn't about habits like biting your nails or thinking negative thoughts. An obsessive thought might be that the certain numbers or colours are "good" or "bad." A compulsive habit might be to wash your hands several times after touching something that could be dirty. Although you may not want to think or do these things, you feel powerless to stop. Everyone has habits or thoughts that repeat sometimes.

People with OCD have thoughts or actions that:

  • Take up at least an hour a day
  • Are beyond your control
  • Aren't enjoyable
  • Interfere with your work, your social life, or another part of life
OCD Types and Symptoms
OCD Types and Symptoms

OCD comes in many forms, but most cases fall into at least one of four general categories:

  • Checking, such as locks, alarm systems, ovens, or light switches, or thinking you have a medical condition like pregnancy or schizophrenia
  • Contamination, a fear of things that might be dirty or a compulsion to clean. Mental contamination involves feeling like you've been treated like dirt.
  • Symmetry and ordering, the need to have things lined up in a certain way
  • Ruminations and intrusive thoughts, an obsession with a line of thought. Some of these thoughts might be violent or disturbing.
Obsessions and Compulsions
Obsessions and Compulsions

Many people who have OCD know that their thoughts and habits don't make sense. They don't do them because they enjoy them, but because they can't quit. And if they stop, they feel so bad that they start again. Obsessive thoughts can include:

  • Worries about yourself or other people getting hurt
  • Constant awareness of blinking, breathing, or other body sensations
  • Suspicion that a partner is unfaithful, with no reason to believe it.
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    OCD is a mental health condition where a person has repeated unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and feels the need to perform certain actions (compulsions) again and again.
    No. OCD habits are different because they take a lot of time, feel uncontrollable, and interfere with daily life.
    OCD can include checking things repeatedly, fear of dirt and cleaning, needing things in order, and having upsetting or intrusive thoughts.
    They might worry about harm coming to themselves or others, feel very aware of body sensations, or have doubts about their partner’s loyalty without reason.
    Usually, no. They feel forced to do them and get upset if they try to stop.
    OCD habits or thoughts often take up at least an hour each day or more.
    Yes, OCD can interfere with work, social life, and other important parts of life.
    Yes, with proper help from doctors and therapists, people with OCD can learn to manage their symptoms.