Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Extremely disturbing thoughts, persistent worries, feeling compelled to repeatedly perform certain acts supposedly to control such thoughts - you or someone you love could be experiencing this kind of a condition. Simple examples of such acts are washing hands over and over again or locking and unlocking a door repeatedly. These are signs of obsessive compulsive disorder, a kind of anxiety disorder.

Quick recognition, acceptance and understanding the importance of seeking medical help is essential to work out the most effective way of trying to overcome the anxiety. What are the effective ways to control such disruptive thoughts and actions? What are the causes? Is there a relation between obsessive compulsive disorder and obsessive compulsive personality disorder? Is it time to seek help? Learn how to identify obsessive compulsive disorder symptom.

Women and obsessive compulsive disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder is not gender specific. Both men and women can be equally affected. In women, the symptoms are usually visible during early 20s and in men from 6 to 15 years of age. Further, the chance of developing OCD is above average in first-degree relatives of affected people. In such instances, the symptoms are visible between the ages of 18 and 30.

Women affected with obsessive compulsive disorder are likely to experience a worsening of symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum. The fluctuating hormones, concerns and apprehensions related to motherhood responsibilities can result in a higher level of anxiety, which in turn lead to associated behavior.

Obsessions and compulsions

To have a few obsessional thoughts or minor compulsions is quite acceptable. A person may at times feel anxious. The anxiety wanes away once the task or stressful event is over. Likewise, most of us strive towards perfection and perform related chores a number of times to accomplish perfection. Such behavior cannot be misconstrued as signs of obsessive compulsive disorder.

It is the quantum that defines the disorder. Unlike normal anxiety, people affected by obsessive compulsive disorder tend to experience unusually higher levels of anxiety. It begins to interfere with everyday normal functioning taking up time and energy, mars normal routine and relationships.

The sufferers have persistent thoughts, pictures or impulses (obsessions), which may compel them (compulsions) to repeatedly perform certain ‘acts’ in order to neutralize the anxieties. Most people affected with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are senseless. Yet they feel powerless, are unable to ignore or stop them.

Common obsessions revolve around:

• Extreme fear of contamination (dirt, germs)
  
  
• Repeated doubts (like locking house, turning off gas burners)
  
  
• Always keen in having things in order, balanced and exactly right
  
  
• Apprehensive about possible harm to self or others
  
  
• Unwarranted anger or violent behavior towards others
  
  
• Unjustified thoughts about faith or morality.
  
  
• Requiring constant, repeated reassurance.
  
  
• Thoughts about particular sounds, pictures, words or number.
  

In response to obsessions, persons affected with OCD feel compelled to perform certain acts such as:

• Repeatedly washing hands
  
  
• Check and recheck door locks and gas stoves.
  
  
• Adhering to meticulous rules of order. Arrange items in particular way
  
  
• Seek constant reassurance.
  
  
• Accumulate old newspapers, mail or containers even if no longer required
  
  
• Repeat words, phrases or add up to a certain number again and again.
  
  
• Repeatedly going in and out of a door, squat down and rising from a chair or touch certain object many times.
  

Causes of Obsessive Compulsive disorder

The exact cause of obsessive compulsive behavior is yet to be established. On the basis of some studies and research carried so far, possible causes include any one or a combination of two.

Genetics (family history): Multiple genes passed on through generations are likely to affect the sufferer whose close relative is diagnosed with OCD as well. The genetic connection proves to be higher if the onset of OCD is before age 14. Identical twins have a 70% chance of sharing the disorder.

Illness: If the person is suffering from other anxiety disorder like depression, eating disorders, substance abuse disorder, a personality disorder, attention deficit disorder, he or she is most likely to experience a high level of anxiety. Certain autoimmune diseases such as Sydenham’s chorea, rheumatic fever, pediatric streptococcal infection may also cause obsessive compulsive disorder.

Serotonin Hypothesis: People diagnosed with OCD are believed to have abnormally low levels of brain chemical, the serotonin which helps carry messages from one nerve cell to another. This imbalance may interfere with the normal biological processes including mood, sleep, appetite, impulse control, aggression and pain.

Structural brain differences: Abnormalities in several parts of the brains including the thalamus, caudate nucleus, orbital cortex and cingulated gyrus may also be a cause for OCD.

Obsessive compulsive personality disorder

Also referred as anankastic personality disorder, the condition is characterized by a chronic preoccupation with rules, orderliness, and control. It is linked to the personality of the individual. Highly judgemental, individuals with OCPD believe only his/her way is correct and all others are incorrect and unacceptable. Research indicates that people with OCD acknolwedge their acts are indeed irrational while people with OCPD will explain their actions as rational. Individuals with OCPD derive pleasure as compared to those affected with OCD who feel almost helpless unable to contain performing ritualistic acts.

OCPD traits

The disorder is clearly visible right from early childhood. Check for one or more of the following traits which are generally associated with time, dirt, relationship and money. Unless and until the individual has trouble leading a normal life due to any or all of these traits, it is not diagnosed as a disorder.

• Keeping home perfectly organized.
  
  
• Extreme attention to details, rules, lists, orderliness even if it results in waste of time and doesn’t result in completion of proposed activity.
  
  
• Exhibiting over perfectionism which interferes with task completion.
  
  
• Is a workaholic, overly devoted to work and productivity.
  
  
• Unwilling to delegate work as
  
  
• Highly rigid and stubborn.
  
  
• Leading a miserly spending style, self and others. Hoards money fearing future catastrophes.
  

Seek help – OCD or OCPD

If left unattended, OCD or OCPD can have devastating effects both in personal life and at the workplace. Normal life can be completely marred. Most importantly, individuls with OCD are close to acknowleding the need for help as compared to those affected with OCPD who do not conceive it as a problem, hence do not seek help until or unless someone forces the issue.

Antidepressant medications and behavior therapy are effectively used in treating OCD. Medication other than certain antidepressants is rarely prescribed. Instead individual psychotherapy or counselling helps treat OCPD. With family support and an empathetic attitude by those in contact, improvement is evident within few weeks of professional assistance.