Obsessive compulsive disorder (also known as OCD) is characterised by high anxiety. During this disorder individuals often have both obsessions and compulsions; resulting to a significant interference with everyday life

University Degree Medicine and Dentistry

OCR Level 3: Health, Social Care and Early Years

Mental Health Awareness: Task One

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

We all have mild obsessions; they may be anything from superstitions, for example not walking under ladders, to something as simple as bedtime stories or religious practices. The difference between these mild obsessions and to someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is very simple: the huge intensity of the thoughts, the difficulty stopping them and the compulsions that sit along side them.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (also known as OCD) is characterised by high anxiety. During this disorder individuals often have both obsessions and compulsions; resulting to a significant interference with everyday life.

Both males and females are affected by OCD, which according to the NHS ‘affects approximately 2% of the population’. Though symptoms for OCD regularly begin during the early adulthood, it is not uncommon for young children to develop the condition.

The exact cause of OCSD is unknown, doctors believe there are many factors that contribute to this disorder.

Symptoms are very varied with OCD. The most common symptoms include; excessive cleaning, a constant checking of things and a feeling of having to do this a certain amount of times.

Signs and Symptoms

Obsessions

The foundation for OCD explains obsessions to be ‘thoughts images or impulses that occur over and over again and feel out of our control’. Obsessions are usually accompanied by uncomfortable feelings of doubt, fear and disgust.

Common obsessions include:

Contamination of germs, dirt etc.
Imagining harming self or others.
Imagining loosing control or aggressive urges.
Intrusive sexual thoughts or urges.

Compulsions

‘People with OCD typically try to make their obsessions go away by performing compulsions’ explains the OCD foundation. Compulsions are certain actions people perform over again according to ...

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Signs and Symptoms

Obsessions

Common obsessions include:

Contamination of germs, dirt etc.
Imagining harming self or others.
Imagining loosing control or aggressive urges.
Intrusive sexual thoughts or urges.

Compulsions

‘People with OCD typically try to make their obsessions go away by performing compulsions’ explains the OCD foundation. Compulsions are certain actions people perform over again according to certain rules. An individual may obsess about germs and dirt, leading to a compulsion of washing or cleaning. Whereas an obsession of loosing things would lead to a compulsion of constantly counting things, and an obsession of burning down the house will lead to a compulsion of constant checking of the oven etc. Whereas a compulsion to drink and gamble gives pleasure an obsessive-compulsion does not. Instead these compulsions lead to a very aggravating life, for the individual and those around them.

Treatment

The most common treatments for OCD are drug therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The most effective is a mixture of the two treatments together.

Generally OCD is characterised by unwanted behaviours or thoughts that occur frequently. These symptoms occur in all people of all ages. ‘Not all Obsessive-Compulsive behaviours represent an illness. Some rituals (e.g. bedtime songs, religious practices) are a welcome part of daily life.’ States the obsessive-compulsive foundation. The time that these symptoms become an interference with everyday activities is the time that clinical attention is needed.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Behaviour therapy began in the late 1960’s and is the most researched psychological treatment for OCD. It involves repeatedly confronting feared situations that are avoided’ states the OCD Action. CBT has substantially improved obsession rituals, such as hand washing and cleaning etc. There are some short term side effects of stress and anxiety, but as the results become clearer these side effects become less and less.

Drugs

The newest types of drug to help with OCD are serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). They are very effective, but this does not mean that all people will respond to them. The drugs have fewer side effects, but should not be prescribed to adolescents under the age of 18.

Consequences of no Treatment

Without treatment OCD sufferers will most likely spend their life under a great deal of stress. If individuals forget or end their treatment, they will suffer from a worsening of symptoms and find it hard to cope with everyday life.

How Will OCD Affect Self-Care, Relationships, and Social and Working life?

The affect OCD has on any of these three topics depends on how serious the compulsion actually is. For example if a person is paranoid that they haven’t locked their doors properly and has to check four times every door and window in their house before they go out, they may simply be ten minutes late to work. Whereas if a person has an OCD concerning cleanliness, they may harm themselves, i.e. they may brush their teeth too much leading to their gums being bruised and cut. If compulsions become so time consuming this wipes out any idea of a relationship, job or time to cook and take care of them selves. However, there is no need for OCD to be so extreme, as there are many treatments that are reliable and work!

How Can I Help?

As OCD is highly treatable there should be minor effect to everyday life, Whilst treatment is ongoing relatives should not encourage suffers to carry on with obsessions and compulsions, this does not mean do not give them support though! As this is what will likely give them the courage to carry on treatment and therapies. OCD can cause considerable strain on relationships; therefore you should take time to discuss you feelings and to do things you enjoy.

Here are a few pointers on how to make the best of your support:

Learn about OCD!
Remember that however bizarre the suffers symptoms seem, they are part of a treatable disorder!
Do not blame the sufferer for having OCD.
Encourage and support the sufferer if he/she decides to seek professional help.
Remember that ups and downs are unavoidable. Some days the sufferer may deal with a certain situation another they may not.
Let the sufferer talk about and explain their symptoms, this may be helpful to you as well as him/her.
Do not do everything for the sufferer; let them fight it themselves!
Have time to yourself! If you are stressed or upset by these goings on take time out to talk to friends and do things you enjoy.