OCD: Definition, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

TheIndonesia.id - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD is commonly known as depression. Maybe, you know OCD because some people around you suffer from this psychological disorder.

However, the explanation for OCD has not been widely discussed. Here is the summary of OCD quoted from Suara.com.

Definition of OCD

Quoting from Hello Sehat, OCD is a psychological disorder that affects the thoughts and behavior of sufferers. When someone has OCD, unwanted thoughts and fears will appear continuously.

Based on research in the United States, OCD is one of the 20 leading causes of disability related to mental disorders for individuals aged between 15-44 years.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is taken from two words obsessive which mean repeated thoughts about something, and compulsive, which means actions or behaviors that are visible to the eye.

OCD is a mental disorder that causes the sufferer to feel compelled to do something repeatedly. If not done, sufferers of OCD can be overwhelmed by anxiety or fear.

The truth is that people with OCD don't want to behave in this way, but they tend to be unable to control it.

This obsessive and compulsive behavior will usually dominate their daily activities. As a result, sufferers find it difficult to be productive at work.

OCD symptoms

This mental health illness often begins in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Generally, symptoms begin to appear when they are under 20 years old.

Some of the symptoms that generally appear are:

• Fear of being contaminated by objects that other people have touched or are dirty
• Doubt sufferers, whether it has locked or turned off the stove
• Intense stress when seeing objects that are untidy or asymmetrical
• Imagining hurting yourself or others
• Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately are unwanted and uncomfortable
• Avoiding situations that can trigger the obsession, such as shaking hands
• Disturbed by unpleasant sexual images recurring in my mind
• Compulsive symptoms

Compulsiveness in OCD refers to the desire to perform repetitive behaviors. This mental action that is carried out repeatedly aims to prevent anxiety due to the sufferer's obsession.

Examples of compulsive signs that are seen in general include:

• Wash your hands repeatedly, even until the skin is chafed
• Checking the door repeatedly to check if it is locked
• Count in a certain pattern
• Silently repeat a prayer, word, or phrase
• Organize items neatly

Solutions for Sufferers of OCD

Psychologist Prisha Nova, M.Psi explained that OCD is a mental disorder that needs to get an examination of its symptoms and causes in detail by a doctor or psychiatrist so that it can be treated properly.

It cannot be diagnosed by itself because there are many other factors that must be examined first, such as life history to environmental factors. 

After a good analysis, then the doctor will make a healing strategy that is in accordance with the patient's diagnosis, such as administering drugs or cognitive therapy so that the patient can recover properly.

Furthermore, if you are not an OCD sufferer but have family or relatives who have OCD, then a good support system will not stress the sufferer. Always be with the Sufferer, because the best support from the closest people is one way to help cure OCD.

This is a complete explanation of OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you experience things like the above, immediately consult a doctor and related medical experts.