Getting to Know Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder that drives sufferers to do certain actions repeatedly. He did this to reduce anxiety in his mind. Obsessive compulsive disorder can be experienced by anyone from any age group, but most often appears at the age of 7-17 years. People with OCD usually realize that their thoughts and actions are excessive, but they cannot fight them.

Although the name is almost the same, obsessive compulsive disorder is different from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). OCD is a mental disorder whose symptoms can come and go. OCD symptoms are driven by obsessive thoughts to avoid fear and anxiety. In addition, OCD sufferers are usually aware of the condition they are experiencing.

Unlike OCD, OCPD is a personality disorder whose symptoms are experienced consistently by sufferers. OCPD sufferers tend to be very perfectionist in everything. However, OCPD sufferers are often unaware of their condition.

OCD symptoms usually begin in adolescence or young adulthood, but can also begin in childhood. As people get older, symptoms tend to worsen. In addition to worsening, OCD symptoms can also become more severe when the sufferer experiences stress.

The following are some common symptoms that occur in OCD sufferers:

• Obsessive Thoughts
  Obsessive is a thought disorder that occurs repeatedly and causes anxiety. These obsessive thoughts can appear suddenly when the sufferer is thinking or doing something or what is known as intrusive thought.

  Obsessive symptoms experienced by OCD sufferers can include:

• • • Anxiety or fear of contracting a disease so that you avoid shaking hands or touching objects.
    • Stress when seeing a collection of objects that are not aligned or symmetrical.
    • Fear of doing something that is dangerous to yourself or others, such as being unsure whether you have turned off the stove or locked the door.
    • Fear of saying something that might offend others.
    • Worry about throwing away items that have been collected or hoarding disorder.
• Compulsive Behavior
  Compulsive behavior is behavior that is done repeatedly to reduce anxiety or fear due to obsessive thoughts. People with OCD will feel relieved immediately after doing the compulsive behavior. However, obsessive symptoms can reappear and make people with OCD repeat the compulsive behavior.

  Symptoms of compulsive behavior include:

• • • Bathing or washing hands repeatedly until they become sore, as in people with mysophobia.
    • Arranging objects facing the same direction or according to their type.
    • Repeatedly checking to see if the stove has been turned off or the door has been locked.
    • Repeating certain words or sentences in your head to avoid saying them incorrectly.
    • Collecting or hoarding items, such as unused letters or newspapers.

OCD symptoms can also be seen in relationships, both with partners and family. These symptoms can appear as obsessive love disorder, which makes OCD sufferers unable to stop thinking about their partners and do everything to convince themselves of their relationship.

In general, the symptoms of OCD in children and adults are not much different. However, the symptoms of OCD in children are sometimes less clear. Therefore, parents need to be alert if children show a number of the following symptoms:

• • • Frequently changing clothes because they are considered dirty.
    • Putting his belongings in one part of the house and will be offended if moved.
    • Tends to only use one particular toilet when in public.
    • Using hand soap, bath soap, or toilet paper excessively.
    • Avoiding socializing with peers and not liking to share his belongings.

Not all thoughts or behaviors that cause anxiety are categorized as obsessive compulsive. It is natural for someone to sometimes double-check an action that has been done. However, these thoughts or behaviors are considered abnormal if they affect a person’s activities. Signs of these thoughts or behaviors include:

• • • Spending at least 1 hour a day thinking about or doing the action.
    • Not getting pleasure from the action, but only feeling relief and temporary endurance.
    • Difficulty controlling it, even though realizing the thought or behavior is excessive.

See a doctor immediately if you or your child experiences the above symptoms. Early examination and treatment can prevent OCD symptoms from getting worse.

To diagnose OCD, the doctor will carry out several stages of examination, starting from questions and answers, physical and psychological examinations, to supporting examinations.
Based on the DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), a person can be said to have OCD if they have a number of the following obsessive thought criteria:

• Thoughts or urges that occur repeatedly at certain times and interfere with daily activities and cause anxiety.
• Attempts to suppress or ignore these thoughts with other thoughts or actions.

Meanwhile, the criteria for compulsive behavior based on the DSM-5 include:

• Repetitive behaviors, such as washing hands until they are sore or repeating words in your head.
• These behaviors are intended to prevent inappropriate or excessive situations or events.

The doctor will also assess whether the above symptoms have interfered with school performance, quality of work, social relationships with others, or routine activities. In supporting examinations, a person will be advised to undergo a blood test to calculate the number of blood cells, thyroid gland function, and history of alcohol or drug use, which can affect thoughts and behavior.

Treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder aims to control symptoms so that patients can carry out their activities well. The duration of treatment will be adjusted to the severity of the symptoms. OCD treatment methods include cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant medication.
Here is the explanation:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  In cognitive behavioral therapy, patients are confronted with situations that are often avoided. For example, a doctor may ask a patient who is afraid of germs to touch the ground, then teach them how to overcome their fear. This therapy can be done individually or in groups.
• Antidepressants
  Antidepressants are given when cognitive behavioral therapy does not help relieve symptoms, or when the patient’s symptoms are quite severe. Doctors usually recommend using antidepressants for a period of 1 year. Therefore, patients should not stop taking the drug without consulting a doctor.

  Common types of antidepressant medications used to treat OCD include:

• • Fluoxetine.
  • Fluvoxamine.
  • Sertraline.

People with OCD tend to experience limitations in carrying out daily activities. This is because they are easily anxious or afraid when doing something. Untreated OCD can also trigger other problems, namely:

• Inflammation of the skin, such as contact dermatitis.
• Other mental disorders, such as panic disorder and bipolar disorder.
• Difficulty developing potential in school or work.
• Difficulty in socializing.
• Suicide attempts.

It is not known for certain how to prevent OCD. However, immediate examination and treatment can prevent symptoms from getting worse or disrupting the activities of OCD sufferers. To prevent worsening symptoms in children with OCD, parents need to be alert if children show the following signs:

• Spending more time than necessary on activities, such as eating or getting dressed.
• Being overly sure of things.
• Refusing to touch objects without protection.
• Repeating completed tasks.
• Excessive hand washing or bathing.
• Having problems with hands, such as redness, dryness, or cracking.
• Often getting angry when unable to complete something in the way he or she would prefer.