Numerous people have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and it’s a relatively common condition that has many different forms, and also, in some cases, it might greatly interfere with the patient’s life, and that causes a great deal of problems.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition in which the patient goes through an obsession state, which is frequent thoughts and sensations, and it also leads to the compulsion, which is making certain actions repetitively. This compulsion also greatly interferes with the patient’s personal and social life.

Causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Changes in the brain.
• Traumas during childhood and through life.
• Genetics.
• Having other psychological issues, such as anxiety and depression.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

The symptoms usually include both the obsessive and compulsive states, and they could come and go and worsen or improve over time.

Obsession symptoms

Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts and sensations, but the patient can’t control them, such as:

• Fear of touching dirt and contaminated things.
• Fear of doing something wrong.
• The need to organize things in a specific way.
• Constant doubt and not being certain of anything,
• Annoying and sometimes horrifying thoughts, such as thinking of getting hurt.

Compulsion symptoms

A compulsive state is when the patient does a certain action frequently in order to get rid of the obsessions, such as:

• Continuous cleaning and frequent hand washing.
• Continuous checking on things.
• Counting a lot or repeating certain speech even in an unsuitable time.
• Following a certain routine without changing.
• Constantly organizing and arranging things in a certain way.
• Frequent asking for reassurance.

Complications of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Interfering with daily life, such as not being able to study or work.
• Health issues due to the cleaning obsession.
• Poor quality of life.
• Relationship problems.

Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Psychological evaluation.
• Physical examination.

Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Psychotherapy.
• Medications.
• Some cases might require other therapies, such as deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation.