Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

What is the first picture that comes to mind when you hear the term obsessive-compulsive disorder or its abbreviation OCD (Eng. obsessive-compulsive disorder)? Is it perfectly complex books on a shelf, a perfectly tidy apartment, or an incredibly pedantic person who often feels the need to wash their hands? Much of what we have heard about this disorder consists of stereotypical images, which is why most of us easily confuse perfectionism with OCD, do not see this disorder in its true light, and in a way do not even consider it a serious disorder, but rather a kind of whim.

What exactly are obsessions and compulsions?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder belongs to the category of anxiety disorders and is characterized by persistent preoccupation with obsessive thoughts and a compulsion to repeat certain actions continuously. Obsessions are unwanted, irrational thoughts that a person cannot control. They may be fear of contamination, preoccupation with symmetry in space, or obsessions about certain numbers, sounds, images or words. Obsessions may also be disturbing aggressive thoughts, sexual thoughts and scenarios, or fear of unintentionally saying offensive and vulgar things that are mostly contrary to the person's morals. What others around them most often notice are compulsions, that is, repetitive actions or thoughts through which a person momentarily relieves anxiety or apparently prevents some unwanted event from occurring. Some of them are familiar to us: excessive hand washing and cleaning household objects, arranging items in a precisely defined way, checking locks and switches, counting up to a certain number, and so on. But apart from visible actions, compulsions can also be questions we ask other people to disprove an obsessive thought, repeating words, or counting 'in one's head' so that the obsessive thought is in some way neutralized. From the last example we can see that compulsions do not always have to be visible, and a person can have symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder without anyone noticing.

How is obsessive-compulsive disorder treated?

Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication can greatly help people diagnosed with OCD. Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that has proven to be the most effective in treating OCD. With the help of a therapist, the person is gradually exposed to the situation that is the subject of their obsessions. Put simply, a person who thinks they will become infected if they touch an object, for example a dog toy, is placed in a situation where they touch the toy without washing their hands afterward. Or if a person has a constant need to check whether they have turned off the oven or locked the door, they must resist the compulsion, starting with a shorter time interval and moving toward a longer one. It is key that the person realizes these thoughts are imposed and that they are connected to the disorder, not to their personality.

How can you help a person who has been diagnosed with OCD?

If someone in your surroundings has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is important to be patient and not to link the symptoms of this disorder to someone's traits or to whim. Compulsions are difficult to control, and it is important to tackle the problem step by step: recommend that the person start psychotherapy, consult a specialist, and be a source of support for them in a situation where they are struggling with the whirlpool of obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions.

OCD is a disorder we need to take seriously, and it is important to understand how it manifests so that we can treat it successfully. It is very easy to form a false picture of a particular disorder, so it is important to educate ourselves about it in order to make it easier to detect and diagnose, and to make it possible for the person to seek help. Even the smallest change, such as resisting a compulsion just once, is significant, which is why it is essential to stay persistent and not give up.

Medication prescribed by a neuropsychiatrist is often necessary. With adequate medication and psychotherapy, OCD can be brought to a level that does not interfere with a functional life.