Articles - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.. annoying behaviors, but getting rid of them is not impossible

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common, long-term chronic disorder characterized by persistent intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that lead to repetitive actions. The individual feels driven to perform these actions continuously without the ability to control or ignore them, placing them in a vicious cycle. Symptoms manifest as intrusive thoughts or repeated urges that are difficult for the individual to ignore, or compulsive behaviors that the individual feels compelled to perform to alleviate anxiety.

Prevalence of OCD

Recent statistical studies indicate that the prevalence of OCD in Arab countries exceeds 2% of the total population, meaning that around six million Arabs suffer from this disorder annually. Saudi Arabia and Iraq have the highest rates of prevalence at 2.5% of the population, followed by Egypt, the UAE, and Gaza at 2.3%, which is considered a high rate overall.

Features of OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by the following signs:

1. Obsessions: These come in the form of persistent intrusive thoughts or fears that recur disturbingly.

2. Compulsive behaviors: Symptoms often manifest as continuous or periodic rituals that the patient performs without true desire but driven by dominating obsessions.

3. Awareness of the triviality of obsessions: The individual often realizes that their thoughts are illogical, yet they cannot stop or ignore them.

4. Resistance attempts: The patient constantly tries to resist the obsessions, although resistance weakens over the course of the illness.

5. Feeling of compulsive control: The individual feels that these obsessions are controlling them, leading to disruptions in their social life and suffering from severe psychological distress.

Historically, OCD is defined as a neurotic disorder, where the individual is aware of their illogical thoughts and behaviors yet finds it difficult to control them. OCD is distinguished from other disorders by the fact that anxiety is its primary focus; intrusive thoughts and actions contribute to increasing or alleviating the level of anxiety for the affected individual.

Obsessions and Compulsions

- Obsession: "Intrusive thoughts or impulses that the individual creates, but they cause significant distress, and the person attempts to ignore or resist them, yet they reappear repeatedly."

- Compulsive behaviors: "Behaviors that appear purposeful but repeat in a specific pattern, which may include excessiveness, such as excessively washing hands beyond the goal of cleanliness."

Compulsions manifest in repetitive behaviors (like hand washing, organizing, checking) or mental acts (like counting or silently repeating words), where the individual feels compelled to perform them in response to their obsessions or according to strict rules. The patient may recognize at certain stages that these behaviors are illogical, but they become complex and cause distress, consuming their time and energy.

Causes of OCD

A combination of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors contributes to the development of OCD. Among the most important of these factors is genetics; studies have shown a close correlation between individuals suffering from the disorder and their family members, indicating that heredity plays a fundamental role in the onset of the disorder.

Key Features of OCD

1. Avoidance: The individual tends to avoid situations that trigger obsessions or compulsive actions, similar to avoidance behavior in phobia cases.

2. Fear of disasters: The individual feels fear that something bad will happen if they do not engage in their compulsive behaviors, even though these actions are not logically connected, like fearing an accident if the room is not organized.

3. Resistance: Resistance is a fundamental characteristic of OCD, as the individual attempts to resist the obsessions, although some may stop resisting over time.

4. Seeking reassurance: The patient seeks reassurances from others to feel safe, such as checking that faucets are turned off, but they may need to ask for more reassurances later.

5. Need for uninterrupted performance: The individual feels the need to perform the compulsive behavior precisely without interruption, and may have to start over if interrupted.

6. Ruminating thoughts: The individual becomes preoccupied with endless questions, such as "Will wearing this shirt during the interview help me get the job?" This complicates their condition further.

Treatment for OCD

There are several treatment methods for OCD, including:

1. Medication: Medications may help reduce symptoms with a doctor's recommendation.

2. Psychotherapy:

- Psychoanalytic therapy: Helps the patient understand their internal conflicts by uncovering unconscious conflicts.

- Behavioral therapy: Based on behavioral principles and theories to modify compulsive symptoms, it has proven effective in improving many symptoms.

- Cognitive therapy: Aims to address the irrational thoughts accompanying the disorder.

3. Environmental and social therapy: Treatment may require a change in the patient's environment, such as changing jobs or residence if linked to a source of their obsessions.

OCD can be one of the disorders that are difficult to talk about, but individuals should recognize that seeking help is normal, and isolating oneself will only exacerbate and affirm the symptoms. If you feel these symptoms, do not hesitate to consult a therapist, as this may help reduce anxiety and improve your quality of life.

Today, getting help has become easier; you can download the "Estenarh" app and communicate directly with one of our certified counselors from the Ministry of Health. Book your first consultation and benefit from a discount on the first session.