“OCD” may seem like a trendy buzzword for a cleaning fixation to Millennials and Gen Z. There’s a lot more to it than meets the eye, though, so wait.
We’ve all heard the statements, “He’s completely OCD about organising his desk,” or “I’m so OCD about keeping my room clean.” Of course, it would be impossible to overlook Friends’ Monica Geller, who has long served as the “ideal OCD representation.” Or, if you’re a fan of The Big Bang Theory, raise your hand for Sheldon Cooper!
Pop culture and casual discussions have long dismissed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as a peculiar fixation with neatness or perfection. However, the reality of having OCD is significantly more complicated and far from a joke.
What is OCD, really?
Although OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is a word that is frequently used informally, it is a mental health illness that is marked by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (called obsessions) and repetitive actions or thoughts (called compulsions) that a person feels compelled to carry out. These compulsions are performed to relieve the extreme anxiety brought on by the obsessions, not for enjoyment or personal choice.
OCD is a severe problem that many people deal with on a daily basis, according to psychologist and therapist Ekta Khurana of Delhi. It goes beyond people making jokes about sporadic annoying habits or thoughts. Random ideas are common, but it’s crucial to treat them carefully if they’re bothersome, persistent, or create anxiety.
For example:
Obsession: Fear of harming loved ones unintentionally.
Compulsion: Repeating specific prayers or rituals to prevent harm.
While compulsive cleaning can be one symptom, it’s just one possibility in a broad spectrum.
Common misconceptions
“The most common misconception about OCD is that it is a weakness of self,” says Dr. Rajiv Mehta, vice-chairperson of psychiatry at Sir Gangaram Hospital. Although the person is purposefully repeating the actions, it is not a disorder.
He continues, “The other misconception is that the person can control the acts by themselves because they are doing them consciously.”
Furthermore, OCD is stereotyped as being about hygiene. However, it doesn’t draw attention to a person’s other difficulties. An OCD sufferer may count in certain patterns, check locks frequently, or have intrusive, upsetting thoughts.
OCD can have a significant impact on a person’s everyday life, whether you like to admit it or not. Severe OCD sufferers may be stuck in compulsive rituals and obsessive thoughts for hours on end, which can interfere with relationships, employment, and general well-being.
What can cause it
According to Archana Singhal, founder of Mindwell Counsel in Delhi, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complicated illness with an unclear aetiology.
One popular clinical instrument for determining the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). According to her, it aids in gauging the severity of compulsions (repetitive behaviours or mental acts) and obsessions (intrusive thoughts) in people with OCD.
However, a number of elements, including genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological effects, are thought to have a role in the development of OCD. Together, these variables may raise the risk of getting the disease. Singhal lists a few of the main possible reasons:
Genetic factors: According to research, OCD may be significantly influenced by heredity. The likelihood of having OCD is increased if you have a family member who has it, suggesting a hereditary tendency. OCD tends to run in families, according to studies, which suggests that inherited genes may affect how the brain functions and contribute to the condition. It’s crucial to remember, though, that OCD is unlikely to be caused exclusively by heredity.
Brain structure and function: There is proof that OCD may be exacerbated by anomalies in specific brain regions. It has been specifically linked to malfunction in the circuitry involving the frontal cortex, cingulate cortex, and basal ganglia. These brain areas are involved in behaviour regulation, decision-making, and anxiety processing. These brain regions may become hyperactive or malfunction in OCD sufferers, resulting in the disorder’s hallmark intrusive, repetitive thoughts (called obsessions) and behaviours (called compulsions).
Chemical imbalances (neurotransmitters): OCD is believed to be influenced by serotonin, a neurotransmitter that aids in mood, anxiety, and behaviour regulation. The intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that are at the heart of OCD are thought to be caused by a serotonin imbalance in the brains of those who suffer from the illness. As a result, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can help regulate serotonin levels and reduce symptoms for many people, are being used to treat OCD.
Environmental factors: OCD may develop or worsen as a result of traumatic experiences or environmental stressors. For instance:
- Some persons experience OCD symptoms that are triggered or exacerbated by stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, abuse, or major life changes.
- Adverse childhood events (such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse) or childhood trauma may also raise the likelihood of developing OCD in later life. According to certain research, trauma may exacerbate OCD symptoms in predisposed people, especially when paired with other variables like heredity.
- .Infection has also been suggested as a possible cause of OCD, especially in young people. A strep infection may cause sudden-onset OCD symptoms in a condition known as PANDAS (Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), though this notion is still debatable and not widely agreed upon.
Cognitive and behavioural factors: Some OCD theories concentrate on behavioural and cognitive patterns. According to cognitive models, OCD sufferers may exhibit specific cognitive biases, including:
Overestimating threats: They can think that commonplace circumstances are threatening or require control.
Inflated sense of responsibility: OCD sufferers may feel that they have a duty to prevent harm and that they must engage in particular activities (compulsions) in order to avert catastrophes.
Intolerance of uncertainty: The main tenet of behavioural models is that OCD is acquired by classical conditioning, in which repeated exposure to particular behaviours reinforces them. A person’s anxiety is momentarily reduced when they perform a compulsive action (like hand washing) after experiencing anxiety, reinforcing the cycle and making it more likely to occur again in the future.
Is a cure available?
OCD is a treatable disorder, and getting help from a specialist can significantly improve symptom management and allow people to lead more satisfying lives. A combination of therapeutic approaches, such as counselling, medication, and lifestyle modifications, are usually necessary for effective OCD management.
Therapy: OCD can be effectively treated with cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), especially exposure and response prevention (ERP). ERP entails learning to control the impulse to engage in obsessive activities and exposing oneself to frightening ideas or circumstances gradually.
Medication: A number of FDA-approved selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently taken at higher dosages to assist reduce the symptoms of OCD and anxiety.
Lifestyle changes: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep can all improve mental health in general and aid with symptom management.
Mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques: According to Archana Singhal, “deep breathing exercises, yoga, and mindfulness meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can alleviate some OCD symptoms.”
Support groups: Making connections with others who suffer with OCD might yield important understanding and support.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Patients with OCD who have not responded to prior therapies can benefit from both Deep Brain Stimulation and other approved treatments.
“Once there is sufficient awareness, it is important to create an environment where people with OCD feel understood, supported, and empowered to seek help,” says Piyali Maity, clinical director of counselling operations, 1to1help. It’s also critical to be aware of and cognisant of how we use the word OCD. It is troublesome to equate it with simply being “neat” or “perfectionistic.” In order to prevent the phrase from being casually misused, it is necessary to combat this stereotype.