What Is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) and How Is It Managed?

February 4, 2025

What Is OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) and How Is It Managed?

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
04 February, 2025

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a psychiatric condition that affects a very small percentage of the world’s population- well below 3%, while the incidence in India is also very low- about 0.6% or even lesser. This value is from studies conducted in Kerala, though no other studies have been done in India as a whole. The name of the condition itself is pretty self-explanatory- you first have repetitive thought processes or obsessions and then you have the urge to do something about them – which forms the compulsive part of the condition. They can keep you from having a normal conversation or interaction in a social setting. The term ‘obsession’ is used in everyday conversation to show that someone finds something really absorbing or interesting. But, when you have the real deal, you can lose many hours in a day- dealing with obsessive thoughts and then being forced to act on them all the time can be unpleasant and mentally very draining.

What Are The Common Symptoms Of OCD And How To Manage Them-

The most important aspect of OCD is that people have no control over these thoughts most of the time. Such individuals also know how much it can impact their progress when it comes to getting something done- like going to work after finishing chores, but some of the most common so-called ‘symptoms’ of the obsessive phase include-

Needing constant reassurance about stuff or always wondering about what could go wrong
Not being realistic about making mistakes and expecting perfectionism in most aspects
Feeling very doubtful or disgusted with some aspects
The need to organise items in their surroundings in a very particular manner
Always wondering or double checking everything

The compulsive part comes later-

Where you may count or recite prayers at odd times
You could be a major hoarder
You literally have to arrange everything in a particular way or you lose it
You may not like certain numbers
You may wash your hands way too many times in a day
You may check if you have locked the house lots of times in the night, when you should actually be resting

Both of these phases come one after the other and it is often a vicious circle. OCD normally sets in the teen years. Somepeople have genes which make them behave like that, while others may have had to deal with some trauma in their childhood, or they may have some autoimmune issue too. People with neurodegenerative diseases show many aspects of OCD as many of the same regions of the brain get affected.

How To Stop Obsessive Thoughts And Compulsive Behaviours-

There is no way to completely stop your brain from ever thinking, but you may be able to manage it by taking medication, by meditating, or by opting for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)- where a therapist will help you pinpoint what your obsessions are and then teach you ways to cope with them and replace them with other thoughts.

You may also be asked to undergo Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy- where the therapist will ask you to do something that your brain tells you NOT to do. Afterwards, the brain realises that nothing bad can happen- example- changing the order of someobject and then noticing that you can go about your day as usual, or asking you to touch something and asking you not to wash your hands are some common examples.
The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one approach where you are asked to just accept the obsessive thoughts as just that- and be able to recognise that they actually have no power over you- that is the aim.
Some medications that are normally prescribed for OCD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), SRIs, or tricyclic antidepressants.

Conclusion

It can be hard to deal with OCD and related thoughts but it is important to understand that most of us deal with them at one or the other point of time in life. OCD is normally diagnosed by taking a detailed medical history- like if you have obsessive thoughts, or how long you spend on completing the compulsions, if they are not because of some other medication or drug, or if you have an unrelated anxiety disorder. As for how to support a loved one with obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is important to give them their space and not be judgemental- as some days may be better than others. Tell them that it is not bad to have such obsessive thoughts and be supportive of them when they want to get therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Some people may have genes, have had to deal with some trauma or may be diagnosed with a progressive degenerative disorder- all of which can cause symptoms.

How is OCD diagnosed by doctors?

Doctors check if you meet all or most of the criteria listed out in DSM-5 to give you a positive OCD diagnosis.

Can OCD go away on its own, or does it require treatment?

No, it normally never goes away, cannot get ‘cured’ and needs to be managed. Most people do really well when they get medication and therapy together.

Can medication help manage OCD symptoms?

Yes, SSRIs or SRIs are recommended at high doses for OCD. Some people may respond very well while others may not. It is often combined with therapy too.

How can family and friends support someone with OCD?

You can encourage them to get therapy, you can try to distract them at times or just let them have their space. Being gentle with them is paramount. Don’t compare how they were before or set standards for them to follow.