OCD is a neurological disease. Simply put, it is a potentially debilitating condition defined by persistent, uncontrollable, intrusive, unwelcome, and distressing thoughts, urges, or visions (obsessions) and repetitive behavior (compulsions) in reaction to these obsessions. While symptoms may vary, many persons with OCD endure significant distress due to their sense of being stuck in an endless cycle of worry.
OCD is a chronic illness for which there is presently no treatment. However, there is hope; Cognitive Behavior Therapy is an excellent therapy for OCD treatment. Many psychiatrists around the world advise CBT because it has helped thousands of patients overcome OCD. Medication is occasionally used to treat OCD, either alone or in conjunction with Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
What Causes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Many individuals are keen to learn about the source of OCD in the hope that this knowledge may shed light as to why and how they got the condition – and possibly give insight into what they can alter to help OCD go completely. This is an implausible belief.
You cannot modify your OCD diagnosis, and OCD is not a communicable disorder – no one in your circle of acquaintances and friends can catch it. OCD is not a result of job demands or other stressful life circumstances (although stressful situations can make symptoms of OCD worse).
Although the specific origins of OCD are unknown, a few variables are considered to play a major role.
Biological:
According to one hypothesis, OCD develops as a result of a failure in the network in the brain that screens or “censors” the numerous thoughts, impulses, and ideas, one encounters during the day. If you suffer from OCD, your mind may struggle to decide which ideas and impulses to suppress.
Therefore, you might develop obsessive and compulsive behaviors. This system’s collapse may be connected to serotonin disorders.
Ancestral history:
Additionally, you may be at a higher risk if you have a family background of the illness. According to research, if you, a sibling or a parent, suffer from OCD, there is a 25% risk that another close family member will as well. 4
Genetics:
Although no one “OCD gene” has been discovered, OCD may be associated with certain gene groupings.
Stress:
Unemployment, marital issues, academic challenges, sickness, or delivery can be powerful triggers for OCD symptoms.
Symptoms
OCD symptoms often manifest in one’s adolescent years, and these compulsions and obsessions may occur alone or together. Not every behavior is symptomatic of an undiagnosed OCD disorder. To qualify as symptoms of OCD, they should be triggered by preoccupation. OCD symptoms include the following:
- Inability to control one’s actions or ideas, even though the actions or thoughts are illogical or excessive
- Each day, devote at most an hour to such behaviors and ideas.
- These behaviors and ideas create impediments to carrying out everyday tasks normally.
- Performing specific practices to alleviate anxiety in the near term
- Motor tics or rapid repeated motions, such as blinking of the eyes, shrugging the shoulders, grimacing the face, jerking the shoulder or head, grunting, sniffing, or throat clearing.
Symptoms may improve or deteriorate with time. Certain OCD patients prefer to avoid things or circumstances that trigger their illness. Others opt to maintain their composure through the use of drugs, drinks, or a mix of the two.
OCD symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways. Additionally, OCD can coexist with other mental health disorders and circumstances, such as anxiety, schizophrenia, tic disorders, or postpartum OCD. Whatever symptoms you are experiencing, OCD treatment may be beneficial.
Consult your health care physician or a therapist if you are having difficulty with everyday duties and personal relationships due to OCD symptoms. They can help you in locating the appropriate treatment to assist you in learning to manage OCD.
