Everyone has OCD.

Not all repetitive behaviours are compulsions.

OCD, which is known as Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, is a mental health disorder that affects people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. This Mental illness occurs when a person gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. By the name, unwanted obsessions caused the disorder and repeated compulsive behaviours.

OBSESSIONS: They are unwanted intrusive thoughts, images or urges that trigger an intensely distressing feeling.

COMPULSIONS: They are behaviours an individual engages in to an attempt to get rid of all obsessions and/or decrease his or her distress thoughts or feelings.

Let’s look at it this way, I have this intense, distressing thoughts and feelings (obsessions) that urges me to bite my fingernails, probably due to me being anxious, but this feeling is so pressing and depressing that I bite my fingernails (compulsions) just to get rid of those unwanted intrusive thoughts. (Biting of nails is not a symptom of OCD).

When someone has an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, It’s a constant struggle. Remember I said, everyone has OCD. YES! Because most people have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviours in their lives, but that does not mean we all have “some OCD”. In our lives, most people have experienced certain levels of OCD. Mostly undiagnosed, of course, but for a diagnosis of OCD to be made, this cycle of Obsession and Compulsion must have become so extreme that it consumes the individual time and impedes day-to-day activities that the person value. These obsessions are repeated thoughts that occur repeatedly, which the person finds disturbing and out of his/her control. They usually accompanied such thoughts with feelings such as; fear, disgust, doubt, or feeling that things have to be done in a way that is just right.

Kindly note that there is a difference between someone diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder- a psychological disorder and — Obsessive Personality Trait Disorder. People with OCD know their compulsions are illogical, while people with OCPD have an obsessive need to follow rules and regulations, as well as a moral and ethical code from which they will not deviate. In simple words, they think they are always right, but our focus is on OCD.

I remember during my secondary school/university days; I have these intrusive thoughts of harming myself. I will be alone and these unwanted thoughts will just come up like;

• How will it feel if I cut myself with this knife?

These thoughts seem to come out of nowhere. They arrive with a whoosh and cause a great deal of anxiety. I was always afraid that I might commit those acts pictured in my mind. I would have repetitive doubts about myself, relationships, decisions I make, deaths. In fact, some are just weird thoughts that make no apparent sense. I still experience some of these intrusive thoughts, but they aren’t as frequent as before. I know most of you will say.

‘it’s normal, I sometimes have these weird thoughts in my mind too’.

It is not normal! It can be very explicit and many people are ashamed and worried about them so, we keep them a secret or take it as being normal. Well, I wasn’t diagnosed but findings from my research showed that I was actually suffering from a mental disorder that has a name but as we all know in this part of the continent, Mental related Issues are not regarded as a serious matter that warrants Psychological supports and that is one gap in Mental Health we are fighting tirelessly to fill up.

People who are bothered by intrusive thoughts need to learn a new relationship to their thoughts. Sometimes, the content of these thoughts is irrelevant. There are popular myths about unwanted intrusive thoughts. One is an example of the one I experienced. They said that having such thoughts means that I consciously want to do the things that come to my mind and this is simply not true and, in fact, the opposite is the truth. I found out that it is the effort people used to fight the thoughts that make it stick and fuels its return. People who have unwanted intrusive thoughts about suicide love life, why those who have violent intrusive thoughts are gentle people.

All thoughts are not messages, red flags, signals or warnings, despite how they feel. Everyone has occasionally weird, bizarre, socially and improper violent thoughts. Our brains sometimes create junk thoughts, and these thoughts are part of our consciousness. Junk thoughts are meaningless if you don’t pay attention to them or get involved with them. They dissipate and get washed away in the flow of consciousness, but when it gets to affect the everyday activities and a person’s values, then there is a need to seek help.

CAUSES OF OCD:

The causes of OCD are unknown, but there are risk factors which include:

Genetics: Studies showed that people with first-degree relatives (parents, siblings or children) who have OCD are at higher risks of developing OCD themselves.

Brain Structure and Functioning: Studies have also shown the differences in the frontal cortex and subcortical structures of the brain in patients with OCD. There appears to be a connection between the OCD symptoms and abnormalities in certain areas of the brain, but the connection is not clear yet. Research is still ongoing.

Environment: There is an association between childhood trauma and Obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Sometimes, children may develop OCD or OCD symptoms following a streptococcal infection. An adult who experienced violent abuse or has PTSD could develop OCD as a coping mechanism.

Types (common obsessions) of OCD

1. Fear of germs and diseases.

2. Fear of body fluids.

3. Fear of dirt.

4. Fear of acting on an impulse to harm oneself/others.

5. Fear of acting on a horrific image in one’s mind.

6. Fear of stealing things.

7. Sexual obsessions that involve children or incest.

8. Perverse sexual impulses about others.

9. Concern with offending God or concern about blasphemy.

10. Concern about evenness or exactness.

11. Fear of losing things.

12. Inability to decide whether to keep or to discard things.

13. Fear of losing or forgetting information when throwing something out.

14. Superstitious ideas about lucky or unlucky numbers or certain colours.

15. Concerned with getting a physical illness or disease, not by contamination (e.g., cancer).

Types (common compulsions) in OCD.

Remember, they are repeating behaviours or thoughts that a person uses to make their obsessions go away. People with OCD realise this is only a temporary solution, but without a better way to cope, they rely on compulsions as a temporary case. Not all repetitive behaviours or “rituals” are compulsions. Behaviour depends on the context. E.g., arranging and ordering books for eight hours a day isn’t a compulsion if the person works in a library. In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, compulsive behaviour is done intending to escape or reduce anxiety or obsession.

1. Washing your hands excessively or in a certain way.

2. Praying to prevent harm to oneself.

3. Counting while performing a task to end on a “good”, “right” or “safe” number.

4. Cleaning household items or other objects excessively.

5. Repeatedly checking if the door is closed or if we turn the oven off.

6. Excessive showering, bathing, toothbrushing or toilet routines.

7. Checking that nothing terrible happened.

8. Checking that you did not harm yourself and others.

9. Putting things in order or arranging things until it feels right.

10. Repeating body movements (e.g.) Tapping, touching, blinking.

The above lists categories as the common form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and some fears associated with them but this is not an exhaustive list and there will be other OCD types that are not listed here. So, if you are experiencing unwanted obsessions and compulsions not listed here, this does not mean it is definitely not OCD.

Treatments.

OCD can be treated with medications, psychotherapy or a combination of both. Another best form of treatment that helps is speaking up and seeing a therapist break down your problems into separate parts, such as your thoughts, physical feelings, and actions. You could also join a support group.

Other forms of treatments are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure, etc.

Treatments can help, but this condition can’t be cured.

Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your view on this topic or if you have any signs of OCD symptoms listed above or not listed, in the comment section.

With love,

Remy!

Making Your Mental Health A Priority.