OCD is a disorder where the individual suffers from repetitive thoughts (obsessions) that force them to perform actions (compulsions). This condition usually emerges in childhood or early adulthood, with a global prevalence of 1 to 3%. The condition is multifactorial, resulting from a combination of genetics, life events, and brain activity. However, it is good to know that some lifestyle therapies and changes can really improve a personâs symptoms and therefore significantly improve their life.
Weâll cover the most notable indicators of the condition, some types, and a few effective treatment options like therapy, along with changes you can easily incorporate in your life to start seeing positive outcomes. Letâs do it.
1. Types and Visible Symptoms of OCD You Might Not Know
Just like any health condition, OCD is not a one-size-fits-all disorder. While thereâs no official list of subtypes, doctors often group OCD into âthemesâ based on the kinds of thoughts (obsessions) and actions (compulsions) people struggle with. Below is a list of some of the most observable and their real-life manifestations:
1. The Double-Checker
Do you find yourself paying extra attention to whether the stove is off or the door is locked? This kind of OCD stems from a personâs fear of causing accidents or inflicting unintentional harm. As the name suggests, a double-checking condition requires you to perform tasks multiple times to ensure completion.
2. The Clean Freak
Do you find yourself avoiding doorknobs or washing your hands more than 20 times a day? The doorknobs and hand washing is a symptoms of a broader condition referred to as OCD, where the person becomes obsessed with âuncleanâ things, including germs and dirt.
3. The Perfectionistâs Nightmare
Do you feel the need to âbalanceâ your bookshelf and other things, with specific rituals to turn off and on the light? This behavior is referred to as symmetry and ordering OCD. It entails the need to âcleanâ and arrange things and is more than just tidiness. It is a compulsive need to maintain perfect order.
4. The Silent Struggler (aka Pure O)
This one doesnât always show on the outside and can be slightly tricky to understand. Itâs about having intrusive, upsetting thoughts which are often violent or taboo, that feel impossible to shrug off. A person might not act on them, but the mental battle they go through is almost constant.
5. The Collector Who Canât Let Go
Hoarding isnât just about clutter. Itâs the deep fear of losing something important or the concern that one might make a wrong decision by discarding something. Itâs also considered to be a separate, independent condition, but has its roots in OCD.
6. The New Parentsâ Panic
Often brushed under the carpet, postpartum OCD can hit during or after pregnancy. Here, parents (especially the mother) might have terrifying thoughts about accidentally hurting their baby or fear that something bad will happen. Itâs incredibly distressing and more common than you think.
7. The Sudden Onset (PANDAS)
This one is quite rare. But in some kids, OCD symptoms can appear almost overnight after a strep infection. Doctors call it PANDAS, and itâs still under research.
Other forms you might not hear about much include:
- Sexual orientation OCD: Includes obsessions about oneâs sexual identity
- Somatic OCD: Being fixed on bodily sensations
- Taboo OCD: Thoughts around religion, morality, or inappropriate actions
OCD doesnât always fit in a box, as themes can mix and change. Whatâs important is to recognise the pattern that is repeating itself, so proper help and support can become necessary.
2. Main Causes and Risk Factors
While there’s no single factor contributing to OCD, science indicates a few key factors that you can note.
1. Runs in the Family
If someone in your close family, like a parent or sibling, has OCD, your chances go up. Genetics can play a big role, maybe up to 60%. So no, you’re not imagining it, chances are that it can be inherited.
2. Brain Wiring Differences
If someone has OCD, their mind usually functions differently. For instance, the frontal lobe, which is crucial for controlling emotions and reasoning, is probably too active and might not function properly. It is as though the mindâs âworry switchâ is perpetually set to the âonâ position.
3. Chemical Imbalances
In addition, brain chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine, which aid in controlling oneâs mood and feelings, are also active. Not making sufficient amounts of said chemicals, or failing to properly utilize OCD, can lead to the brainâs OCD symptoms to worsen.
3. What increases the Chances of the occurrence of OCD?
1. Family History
Closer relatives who also have OCD tend to make the strongest contribution to risk factors. People tend to think such individuals guarantee the onset of OCD, but in reality, it only increases the chances.
2. Other Mental Health Struggles
People grappling with OCD symptoms stand the risk of being consumed if they have associated mental health struggles like anxiety and depression.
3. Major Stress or Trauma
The combination of significant life changes or stress can lead to the onset of OCD. Itâs akin to adding fuel to an already partially smoldering fire.
4. Sensitive Temperament
Some children may be shy, anxious, or very emotional when compared to their peers. That specific way of being may make them more likely to develop OCD later in life.
5. Birth & Early Life Factors
Things like low birth weight, pregnancy complications, or even a mother who is smoking during her time of pregnancy have all been linked to a higher risk of OCD.
6. Infections That Affect the Brain (Like PANDAS)
In rare cases, a child may suddenly develop OCD symptoms after a strep infection. Itâs called PANDAS, and while itâs still being studied, itâs a real and scary experience for families.
4. How does OCD affect mental health?
Everyone living with obsessive-Compulsive disorder knows that OCD negatively impacts the mental health of individuals. The cycle of obsessive thoughts alongside the compulsive behavior can drain an individualâs mental energy while making them feel anxious and frustrated overall.
People living with OCD understand that the fears they are fixating on believing in are irrational; regardless of the reality, they are bound by the disorder. Over time, this results in the individual feeling guilty while also feeling perplexed. With time, this leads to feeling emotionally exhausted, a loss of self-confidence, and in the worst case, a feeling of hopelessness.
This makes completing day to day activities feeling burdensome. Along with this, they also directly impact oneâs relationships and work-life balance which can erode the balance within oneâs life. Individuals living with this disorder also have a higher chance of developing depression, panic attacks or generalized anxiety disorder. The mental strain can feel suffocating without proper treatment or a diagnosis. Another notable impact of OCD is pulling away or isolating oneself from social situations. The embarrassment or feeling of being misunderstood leads to social withdrawal. Seeking therapy and the right kind of support or medication can help the individual feel in control and manage the symptoms.
A doctor can help individuals come up with a recovery plan that removes and alleviates some symptoms. Proper help can drastically change the individual.
5. What Are the Best Treatment Options for Managing OCD?
OCD can be tough, but the good news is: it can be treated. The best results typically come from a combination of therapy, medication, or both, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Letâs break down your options:
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
This is the go-to therapy for OCDâand for good reason. CBT with ERP helps you face your fears without giving in to compulsions. Over time, this teaches your brain that you do not need rituals to feel safe. It works well. Up to half of people see big improvements. You can do it one-on-one, in a group, or even online. An OCD doctor will often recommend this treatment to patients.
2. Medication That Targets Brain Chemistry
Sometimes, therapy alone isn’t enough. This is where medications come in, especially when OCD symptoms are severe. The most common are SSRIs, such as Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Paxil, Lexapro, and Celexa. These medications increase serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate mood and anxiety. They can take 8-12 weeks to fully work. In some cases, doctors may also prescribe other medications, such as antipsychotics, to relieve stubborn symptoms.
| Type | Examples | Notes |
| SSRI | Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, etc. | First choice, well-tolerated by most people |
| Tricyclic | Clomipramine | Strong but has more side effects |
| SNRI | Venlafaxine | Less common but helpful for some |
| Add-ons | Risperidone, Aripiprazole | Used when SSRIs alone arenât enough |
3. Combining Therapy and Medication
If OCD affects you in many ways, therapy and medication are the best ways to cure it. Both therapy and medication play an important role in overcoming OCD.
4. Other Helpful Options
If traditional treatments aren’t enough, there are more tools in the toolbox:
- ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Uses mindfulness to help you live with complex thoughts.
- TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): A brain-based treatment for severe OCD.
- Healthy habits & support: Regular exercise, support groups, stress management, and learning more about OCD are all helpful.
Dealing with OCD takes time and patience, but it is treatable. The sooner you are ready to treat it, the sooner it will be cured. It can be treated with proper psychological guidance, whether it is through therapy or medication. So if you or your loved one is suffering from a mental disorder like OCD, then it is important to cure it as soon as possible and consult an experienced psychologist or psychiatrist.
