All about OCD

Do you ever have that insatiable urge to ensure that your pencil lies straight on the table? Or to keep checking if that strand of hair on top of your head is perfectly combed? Or maybe to keep the pillows on your sofa in a particular position? Well, I certainly have been a victim to those feelings, and honestly, it can be quite distressing sometimes. Having such intrusive thoughts or feelings might be a symptom of OCD.

OCD stands for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is a chronic illness characterized by uncontrollably recurrent thoughts (called obsessions), repetitive activities (called compulsions), or both. OCD sufferers experience protracted symptoms that can be extremely upsetting or interfere with day-to-day activities. The most widely accepted hypotheses suggest that OCD is a biological condition. A model of the pathophysiology of OCD involving hyperactivity in specific subcortical and cortical regions has been developed using functional brain imaging research.

Here are a few possible symptoms of OCD:

1. Impulsivity & hypervigilance

2. Obsessive hoarding

3. Ritualistic or repetitive behaviour 

4. Social isolation 

5. Anxious or depressive mood

6. Random panic attacks

Fortunately there are several solutions to deal with OCD. One could try talk therapy to face fears and thoughts by talking about feelings to a psychologist. Moreover, latest advancements in the field of medicine have allowed innovation of antidepressants, which are medicines that help alter the chemicals in the brain, thus dealing with OCD. In addition, there are support groups all around the world where people with similar problems (OCD) come together and help each other. To conclude, it is always best to immediately seek advice from verified doctors or therapists if things get worse rather than self diagnosis. 

-Dhrishit Patel