OCD Types, Symptoms and Treatment – Dr. Sanjay Jain

Many of you may have seen people who constantly clean, repeat the same actions repeatedly and overthink small matters.

Ever wonder why?

It may seem like a simple habit, but it’s more than that. It is a serious medical condition called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

In simple language, OCD is a mental health illness where a person experiences unwanted thoughts (obsession) and feels compelled to certain actions (compulsion).

According to the  Research of the National Library of Medicine, OCD affects 1-3% of the global population, meaning millions of people are suffering from this mental health disorder.

Today it’s not only limited to adults but also children and the young generation are facing the problem of OCD.

You might be thinking about what are the causes of OCD.

There are many reasons behind OCD but the main ones include stress, bullying, imbalance of brain chemicals, family history and past traumatic events.

In this blog, we will understand the OCD types, symptoms, and treatment.

Types of OCD

 Many people believe OCD is all about excessive cleaning but it is more than that there are several types of OCD. It’s common to find someone who keeps washing their hands constantly due to fear of germs and getting sick. That’s one type of OCD called cleaning OCD.

 Apart from that some people might lock the door or turn off the gas stove, and fan but come back to just check them multiple times due to the fear that something will happen— this is known as checking OCD.

 Another type of OCD is symmetry OCD, where people feel restless if things around them are not properly arranged, like books, clothes, and even small objects. 

Moreover, some people suffer from unwanted and scary thoughts that keep coming into their minds— this is called intrusive OCD. Some people feel uneasy about throwing things away because they feel something bad will happen if they discard them; this is known as hoarding OCD.

In many cases, people show symptoms of more than one type of OCD.

Symptoms of OCD

1. Obsession

If we talk about the symptoms of OCD, one of the most common symptoms is obsession. Obsession is the unwanted thoughts, fears and images that come into a person’s mind. These thoughts make the person feel stressed and anxious. 

 Even if someone tries to stop them, they can’t—because it’s not in their control. It feels like the brain is stuck in a loop, repeating the same thought multiple times. You might have notice people with OCD checking the door lock, fan and gas multiple times to make sure they are locked properly turned off or locked.

 They may also have scary thoughts about the bad things happening to close ones or objects that should be well arranged. In future, these seemingly small things become the main reason for stress and anxiety.

2. Emotions

This symptom is connected to obsession, when obsession becomes high, a person’s emotions in  OCD also become more intense. A person with OCD might experience emotions like fear, sadness, anxiety, guilt and frustration along with unwanted thoughts and repetitive actions.

Even after completing their work, they continue to feel fear in their brain even though they might feel relaxed for a while but soon anxiety returns.

After a while, this mental stress rises and makes them mentally tired sometimes even leading to mood swings and depression so, the emotional disorder is a core symptom of OCD, firmly connected with the intensity of obsessions.

3. Compulsion

Whenever we get too stressed, we normally try to distract our minds by engaging in something to feel better. Sometimes, without realizing it, we start doing things that do not make any sense —such as checking something repeatedly or arranging objects in perfect order. 

This is the very thing that occurs in OCD. A person has disturbing thoughts (obsessions) that make them stressed, and to relieve that tension, they feel driven to repeat certain activities over and over. These activities are known as compulsions.

 Even though someone is aware these activities are not rational, they still have a strong desire to perform them to find temporary relief. But the comfort is not long-lasting, and, in no time, the impulsive thoughts come back, trapped them in a vicious cycle. With time, this cycle can disrupt their day-to-day life, relationships, and inner peace.

Treatment of OCD

Before moving towards OCD treatment, it is important to identify the symptoms. If these symptoms are avoided for a long period, OCD can become a serious mental disorder. Most individuals don’t even know they have OCD until it starts affecting their daily lives.

The good news is that effective treatments are available that can control and manage OCD. If you or someone close to you thinks that they may be presenting OCD signs, early care and the right counsel can work wonders.

The following are three successful treatments for OCD:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT, particularly a form known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is the most effective treatment for OCD. It enables individuals to confront their fears in small steps and guides them not to carry out uncontrollable behaviours.

Medications

Physicians can prescribe medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to balance the chemicals in the brain. These drugs can reduce obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions over time.

Lifestyle Changes & Stress Management

In addition to therapy and medication, relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and exercise can go a long way. A healthy routine assists in stress management, which can help decrease OCD symptoms.

Role of Psychiatrist in Treatment and Diagnosis of OCD 

If you feel your daily life is being impacted by OCD and you see its signs or symptoms in your actions, then now is the right time to consult a doctor. A doctor will not only guide you about your condition but also assist you in the proper course of treatment.
And if you want a psychiatrist with years of experience and in-depth knowledge in treating OCD and other mental health disorders, Dr. Sanjay Jain is one of the reliable names. His professional advice and individualized care can guide you to take the right step towards healing.