What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
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As the name suggests it covers two things: obsessions and compulsions.
It should be pointed out at this stage that most people have some obsessive
thoughts and some compulsive behaviours at times. It is only a cause for concern
when due to regularity or intensity they cause suffering to those who suffer
from them or their friends and family.
Let’s take them one at a time: Obsessions:
Obsessions are disturbing thoughts that plague your mind. Common obsessions
include fearing that you or a loved one is in danger from a faulty household
appliance like a stove that leaks gas. An obsessive fear of dirt, germs and
grime is also common. It is said that English football legend Paul Gasgoigne
sometimes drove thirty miles or more back to his house on occasions, convinced
he had left the door open. As a child someone I know used to believe great misfortune
would fall on him if sentences he read did not have a number of letters and
punctuation marks in it that was divisible by three.
Compulsions:
Often compulsions are carried out in order to lessen the impact of, or reduce anxiety from obsessions. They normally take the form of repeated actions. In some cases they are directly linked to the compulsions (for example regularly checking that the door is locked, or that the oven has been switched off properly). Sometimes the compulsive behaviour is not seemingly linked to anything and takes on the form of a slightly strange religion, for example the compulsion to touch many different objects in order to ward off a great evil.Common compulsions include:
Constant washing
Praying
Counting
Touching
Avoiding certain colours, textures, or materials
Performing rituals
…the list is potentially endless.
The film “As Good as it Gets” with Jack Nicholson is a light hearted look into the world of OCD, which may be interesting for those who know a sufferer and find it hard to understand.
The prognosis
The prognosis is good and making a complete recovery and being free of obsessions
and compulsions is definitely within your reach. The mainstream medical approach
involves Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and sometimes drug therapy. For more info why not check out OCD Action.