Are you one
of those few people who are overly pre-cautious about washing your hands so you
carry hand sanitiser around? Maybe you just want to ‘double-check’ that the car
is locked or iron is ‘un-plugged’? However, are
these just harmless and innocent acts so easy to pass by or are they a sign
that you are perhaps suffering from compulsive behaviours, which are irrational
urges and unwanted thoughts. Its very similar to ‘bargaining’; your just
crosschecking, right?
The brain becomes biochemically associated
with the thing you fear,” says Stephen Phillipson -clinical director of
the Centre for Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in New York City.“Performing the ritual just convinces it that the danger is
real and that only perpetuates the cycle.”
with the thing you fear,” says Stephen Phillipson -clinical director of
the Centre for Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in New York City.“Performing the ritual just convinces it that the danger is
real and that only perpetuates the cycle.”
Obsessive-compulsive
Disorder (OCD) is actually a mental disorder (anxiety disorder) that is
characterised by characterised by uncontrollable and unwanted thoughts that are
ritualised and repetitive behaviours. A person here feels ‘compelled’ to
perform these actions. Although, the actual cause remains unknown a lot has got
to do with certain genetic components.
Disorder (OCD) is actually a mental disorder (anxiety disorder) that is
characterised by characterised by uncontrollable and unwanted thoughts that are
ritualised and repetitive behaviours. A person here feels ‘compelled’ to
perform these actions. Although, the actual cause remains unknown a lot has got
to do with certain genetic components.
An obsession is an idea, thought or
image that comes to a person’s mind repeatedly without control. It is
involuntary and intrudes on the conscious mind,” states Dr Jyoti Kapoor
Madan, Senior Consultant, Psychiatry at Paras Hospital, while adding, “A
compulsion, meanwhile, is a ritual or action that an individual does to relieve
the anxiety.”Maybe your obsession could be as bizarre as ‘making sure you add black pepper’ to every dish you eat, no matter what the cuisine is!
image that comes to a person’s mind repeatedly without control. It is
involuntary and intrudes on the conscious mind,” states Dr Jyoti Kapoor
Madan, Senior Consultant, Psychiatry at Paras Hospital, while adding, “A
compulsion, meanwhile, is a ritual or action that an individual does to relieve
the anxiety.”Maybe your obsession could be as bizarre as ‘making sure you add black pepper’ to every dish you eat, no matter what the cuisine is!
OCD
generally falls into one of the four categories:
generally falls into one of the four categories:
1) Checking
2) Hoarding
3) Contamination/Mental
Contamination
4) Rumination’s Intrusive
Thoughts
2) Hoarding
3) Contamination/Mental
Contamination
4) Rumination’s Intrusive
Thoughts
Further explaining the disorder, Dr
Ashish Kumar Mittal, Chief Psychiatrist at Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurgaon
adds, “It is characterised by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and
repetitive, ritualised behaviours you feel compelled to perform.
Ashish Kumar Mittal, Chief Psychiatrist at Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurgaon
adds, “It is characterised by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and
repetitive, ritualised behaviours you feel compelled to perform.
If you have
OCD, you probably recognise that your obsessive thoughts and compulsive
behaviours are irrational-but even so, you feel unable to resist them.”
OCD, you probably recognise that your obsessive thoughts and compulsive
behaviours are irrational-but even so, you feel unable to resist them.”
Why does it happen: The pattern of repetition
develops because of a kind of cause and effect. Dr Parikh explains, “When
one gets an obsession, you develop a lot of arousal and anxiety.
develops because of a kind of cause and effect. Dr Parikh explains, “When
one gets an obsession, you develop a lot of arousal and anxiety.
There are
many examples of obsessive-compulsive actions. Some of these include:
many examples of obsessive-compulsive actions. Some of these include:
- The
fear of contracting germs from other people – Using public toilets - The fear of contracting germs from
other people -Washing clothes in a launderette - The fear of contracting germs from other
people- Touching bannisters on staircases - The fear of contracting germs from other people-
Touching poles - The fear of contamination -Coming into contact with
chemicals - Shaking hands (fear of contracting germs from other
people). - The fear of contracting germs from other people
-Touching door knobs/handles - The fear of contracting germs from other people -Being
in a crowd - The fear of contracting HIV/AIDS from blood like
stains- Avoiding red objects and stains - The fear of contracting germs from other people -Using
public telephones - The fear of contracting germs from other people –
Waiting in a GP’s surgery - The fear of contracting germs from other people –
Visiting hospitals - The fear of contracting germs from other people –
Eating in a cafe/restaurant - The fear of leaving minute remains of mouth disease
-Excessive Tooth Brushing - Tear of germs being spread to family – Cleaning of
Kitchen and Bathroom
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Famous People Too Have Suffered from OCD:
(YOU ARE NOT ALONE-ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT)
Donald Trump, Charles Darwin, David Beckham, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Jackson, Harrison Ford, Penelope Cruz, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Albert Einstein, Michelangelo, Charlie Sheen and Justin Timberlake.
From Bollywood, we have Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan, Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone, Ajay Devgn, Sunny Leone, Preity Zinta, Imran Khan, Amisha Patel, Ayushmann Khuranna and Ali Fazal.
INSIDE THE MIND OF AN OCD PATIENT
Have you
ever experienced any of these symptoms, where intrusive thoughts are constantly
fighting against one another- your mind can never (or rarely be at rest). Most
often than not, obsessive thoughts cover certain common key areas such as
relationships, sexual feelings, magical feelings, religious (believing that…) and
even violent thoughts.
ever experienced any of these symptoms, where intrusive thoughts are constantly
fighting against one another- your mind can never (or rarely be at rest). Most
often than not, obsessive thoughts cover certain common key areas such as
relationships, sexual feelings, magical feelings, religious (believing that…) and
even violent thoughts.
Relationship
Intrusive Thoughts: One of the most common ‘obsessive-dilemma’ to fall into is
this one. A person can get obsessive thoughts over the type of partner that
they want or he/she will constantly be analysing the depth of feelings for
one’s partner; where they place their partner and the relationship under the
‘microscope’. He/she is in a constant need of validation to seek reassurance
and approval from the partner and constantly feels that the partner is NOT
faithful to them. They may even question their own sexuality and even start to
develop thoughts, feelings and impulses towards members of the same sex.
Intrusive Thoughts: One of the most common ‘obsessive-dilemma’ to fall into is
this one. A person can get obsessive thoughts over the type of partner that
they want or he/she will constantly be analysing the depth of feelings for
one’s partner; where they place their partner and the relationship under the
‘microscope’. He/she is in a constant need of validation to seek reassurance
and approval from the partner and constantly feels that the partner is NOT
faithful to them. They may even question their own sexuality and even start to
develop thoughts, feelings and impulses towards members of the same sex.
Body-focused
obsessions: Also known as sensorimotor OCD, this is a hyperawareness of
particular body sensations. These sensations are known as sensorimotor
obsessions and some of the symptoms for this type of OCD are excessive
blinking, eye floaters (visual distractors), which are obsessive fixations on
eye floaters; swallowing/salivation – i.e. focusing on the frequency of how
much a person swallows, how much saliva is produced and even the sensation of
salivation itself.
obsessions: Also known as sensorimotor OCD, this is a hyperawareness of
particular body sensations. These sensations are known as sensorimotor
obsessions and some of the symptoms for this type of OCD are excessive
blinking, eye floaters (visual distractors), which are obsessive fixations on
eye floaters; swallowing/salivation – i.e. focusing on the frequency of how
much a person swallows, how much saliva is produced and even the sensation of
salivation itself.
Sexual
Intrusive Thoughts: In OCD, sexually intrusive thoughts can take many forms.
Most of the sexual obsessions involve unwanted thoughts, impulses, ideas or
even images that are focused on sexual content. Obsessive thoughts of
unintentionally causing sexual harm (to children) and the constant questioning
of one’s own sexuality are the TWO main focuses of these obsessional doubts.
Intrusive Thoughts: In OCD, sexually intrusive thoughts can take many forms.
Most of the sexual obsessions involve unwanted thoughts, impulses, ideas or
even images that are focused on sexual content. Obsessive thoughts of
unintentionally causing sexual harm (to children) and the constant questioning
of one’s own sexuality are the TWO main focuses of these obsessional doubts.
The thoughts in this type of OCD generally are:
- Any Thoughts about touching a child inappropriately.
- The fear of being sexually attracted to members of one’s own family.
- The constant fear of being a paedophile and being sexually attracted to
children. - The fear of being attracted to members of the same sex (homosexual OCD)
Or
- For those who are gay fear of being attracted
to members of the opposite sex. - Intrusive sexual thoughts about God, saints or, religious figures.
Such people
who experience such intrusive thoughts will deliberately avoid public places.
who experience such intrusive thoughts will deliberately avoid public places.
Magical
Thinking Intrusive Thoughts: Do you remember fairy tales that you were told as a
child? It is all imagination and made up. However, for people who do suffer
from this fear it is scary and intense. The constant belief that anything that
they can even imagine that is bad can come true is the foundation of this type.
It is also called ‘thought-action fusion’.
Thinking Intrusive Thoughts: Do you remember fairy tales that you were told as a
child? It is all imagination and made up. However, for people who do suffer
from this fear it is scary and intense. The constant belief that anything that
they can even imagine that is bad can come true is the foundation of this type.
It is also called ‘thought-action fusion’.
People
who suffer from these intrusive thoughts often rely on performing rituals to
get rid of these bizarre and imaginary beliefs. For example, having the thought
‘I may strangle someone’ is regarded as being as reprehensible as actually
strangling a person.
who suffer from these intrusive thoughts often rely on performing rituals to
get rid of these bizarre and imaginary beliefs. For example, having the thought
‘I may strangle someone’ is regarded as being as reprehensible as actually
strangling a person.
Another example is believing that simply
imagining a horrific car crash will increase the likelihood of such a crash
taking place, or a person may feel that if they don’t count to ten ‘just right’
harm will come to a family member. Other examples of magical thinking, or
thought-action fusion intrusive thoughts include:
imagining a horrific car crash will increase the likelihood of such a crash
taking place, or a person may feel that if they don’t count to ten ‘just right’
harm will come to a family member. Other examples of magical thinking, or
thought-action fusion intrusive thoughts include:
- One’s thoughts can cause disasters to occur.
- A certain colour or number has good or bad luck associated with it.
- One can inadvertently cause harm to others with their houghts or
carelessness.- Certain days have good or bad luck that is associated with them.
- Breaking chain letters will actually bring bad luck.
- A loved one’s death can be predicted.
- Breaking chain letters will actually bring bad luck.
- Whatever comes to mind will come true.
- Breaking chain letters will actually bring bad luck.
- Attending a funeral will bring death.
Religious Intrusive
Thoughts: Have you ever wondered that religion, too can play a very strong role
on our psychological well-being? Most of the time, it is favourable but there
are times when people who suffer from OCD experience obsessive religious doubts
and fears, unwanted images and blasphemous thoughts and compulsive religious
rituals- avoidance, religious rituals and religious reassurance.
Thoughts: Have you ever wondered that religion, too can play a very strong role
on our psychological well-being? Most of the time, it is favourable but there
are times when people who suffer from OCD experience obsessive religious doubts
and fears, unwanted images and blasphemous thoughts and compulsive religious
rituals- avoidance, religious rituals and religious reassurance.
It was first
documented in a 1691 sermon by Bishop John Moore of Norwich where he discussed
men and women who were overwhelmed with unwanted thoughts and tormented by
feelings of guilt and shame over what he had described as “religious
melancholoy”.
documented in a 1691 sermon by Bishop John Moore of Norwich where he discussed
men and women who were overwhelmed with unwanted thoughts and tormented by
feelings of guilt and shame over what he had described as “religious
melancholoy”.
It is common to all religions and faiths. Across the world people
are haunted by feelings of guilt, doubt and anxiety which torment them by
attacking that which they find most dear – their FAITH!
are haunted by feelings of guilt, doubt and anxiety which torment them by
attacking that which they find most dear – their FAITH!
Scrupulosity is the actual
form of OCD where the suffer’s primary source of anxiety is the fear of being
guilty of moral, religious or ethical failure. These people feel that their
efforts to live according to their spiritual values is NOT JUST good enough but
is in direct violation with GOD himself.
Treatment: Although medications can be prescribed to increase the serotonin levels which also act as anti-depressants, “Normally obsessive people are aware that they shouldn’t act on the thoughts and knowing that their thoughts are not voluntary, it leads to depression, irritability, suicidal thoughts and guilt,” says Dr Madan.
It is very important to
include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which also helps to tacky the anxiety
and depression. Some of the main treatments include Exposure and Response
Prevention (ERP). Here, the individual is taught healthy manners to cope with
their anxiety and psycho-education is used where the whole family is involved.
form of OCD where the suffer’s primary source of anxiety is the fear of being
guilty of moral, religious or ethical failure. These people feel that their
efforts to live according to their spiritual values is NOT JUST good enough but
is in direct violation with GOD himself.
Treatment: Although medications can be prescribed to increase the serotonin levels which also act as anti-depressants, “Normally obsessive people are aware that they shouldn’t act on the thoughts and knowing that their thoughts are not voluntary, it leads to depression, irritability, suicidal thoughts and guilt,” says Dr Madan.
It is very important to
include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which also helps to tacky the anxiety
and depression. Some of the main treatments include Exposure and Response
Prevention (ERP). Here, the individual is taught healthy manners to cope with
their anxiety and psycho-education is used where the whole family is involved.
“It’s like being controlled by a
puppeteer. Every time you try and just walk away he pulls you back. Are
you sure the stove is off and everything is unplugged? Back up we go. Are you
sure your hands are as clean as they can get? Back ya go. Are you sure the
doors are securely locked? Back down we go. How many people have touched this
object? Wash your hands again.” — Toni Neville
puppeteer. Every time you try and just walk away he pulls you back. Are
you sure the stove is off and everything is unplugged? Back up we go. Are you
sure your hands are as clean as they can get? Back ya go. Are you sure the
doors are securely locked? Back down we go. How many people have touched this
object? Wash your hands again.” — Toni Neville
“Picture standing in a room filled
with flies and pouring a bottle of syrup over yourself. The flies constantly
swarm about you, buzzing around your head and in your face. You swat and swat,
but they keep coming. The flies are like obsessional thoughts — you can’t stop
them, you just have to fend them off. The swatting is like compulsions — you
can’t resist the urge to do it, even though you know it won’t really keep the
flies at bay more than for a brief moment.” — Cheryl Little Sutton
with flies and pouring a bottle of syrup over yourself. The flies constantly
swarm about you, buzzing around your head and in your face. You swat and swat,
but they keep coming. The flies are like obsessional thoughts — you can’t stop
them, you just have to fend them off. The swatting is like compulsions — you
can’t resist the urge to do it, even though you know it won’t really keep the
flies at bay more than for a brief moment.” — Cheryl Little Sutton
It’s like you have two brains — a rational brain and an irrational brain. And they’re constantly fighting.” — Emilie Ford
2 Comments
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