Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a brain disorder that causes problems in information processing. The brain gets stuck on a particular thought or urge and can’t let go. It consists of both obsessions and compulsions, which the name suggests. OCD is treatable so that a person can live a relatively successful, normal life. Symptoms of OCD include:

Obsessions: Obsessions are thoughts, images and impulses that occur over and over again and feel as if they are out of your control. They are often accompanied by uncomfortable feelings such as disgust, fear and doubt.
Some common obsessions include:
- Fear of germs
- Need to ask, tell or confess
- Need to have things just so
- Imagining having harmed self/others
- Intrusive sexual thoughts/urges

Compulsions: Compulsions are acts a person performs over and over again, often according to certain rules. They are performed to make obsessions go away or to obtain relief. Symptoms cause distress to victims and take up a lot of their time and every day life. Some common compulsions include:
- Washing
- Repeating
- Counting
- Checking
- Ordering/ arranging
- Hoarding
- Praying
- Touching

All of these sorts of obsessive or compulsive behaviours are normal at one time or another. It’s when they persist or cause distress or interfere with daily functioning that medical help should be sought.

In OCD victims, these obsessions and compulsions take over a person’s life. They cause distress, take up a lot of time and interfere with a person’s life. If they are not treated, the victim basically becomes a slave to the disease. Unfortunately many people with OCD are embarrassed about their symptoms and do not seek help for some time. It sometimes takes up to 10 years for people to seek help.

In 1/3 of OCD cases, the victims developed symptoms as children. The other 2/3 develop symptoms during adolescence or early adulthood.

OCD that developed in childhood is thought to run in families. However OCD that is developed later in life is not inherited.

Treatments

There are a few different types of treatment for people with OCD. Your doctor may prescribe medications such as antidepressants to help reduce the symptoms. Most people with OCD that take medications report an improvement within 12 weeks.

Medications are often combined with psychotherapy. OCD patients go through Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. It uses behavioural techniques such as exposing the patient to the things that cause them anxiety in order to deal with the situation. It also involves preventing patients from performing their compulsive behaviours. Among patients who receive this therapy there is a 50-80% reduction in symptoms.

What Can I Do if I Think I Have OCD?

If these symptoms sound familiar to you, you should contact your doctor or the Teen Health Centre. Getting treatment for OCD as soon as possible is your best way to keep it under control and to make sure that it doesn’t take over your life.

It’s also important to get treatment because lots of people with OCD also have other problems that may need medical attention such as depression.