Obsessive–compulsive disorder is a condition where a person has obsessions - persistent and intrusive thoughts - and compulsions to repeatedly perform rituals which are causing social dysfunction. The compulsive rituals are personal rules followed to relieve the anxiety. 1-2% of adults, male and female equally are affected.
Symptoms
Obsessions are repeated thoughts or urges that cause anxiety as
- Fear of germs or contamination.
- Unwanted forbidden or taboo thoughts.
- Aggressive thoughts towards others or self.
- Having things symmetrical or in a perfect order.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviours to do in response to an obsessive thought as
- Excessive cleaning and/or handwashing.
- Ordering and arranging things in a, precise way.
- Repeatedly checking on things.
- Compulsive counting.
The affected person can’t control either the thoughts or the activities which can occur to such a degree that the person's daily life is negatively affected taking up several hours a day. The nonsense of rituals is mostly getting realized. The condition is associated with tics and anxiety disorders.
Cause
The cause is unknown. Both environmental as stress-inducing events in biography and genetic factors are believed to play a role.
Diagnosis
We at KindCare Medical Center are starting the diagnostic clarification by taking an extensive medical history addressing your symptoms, the trigger factors, the duration and the frequency, work environment, social habits, toxic exposure, risk of infectious diseases and family history of neurological disease. Checking the vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse, followed by a proper physical examination with focus on mental health are mandatory. In addition, laboratory tests and imaging of brain as MRI are offered for ruling out underlying conditions.
Treatment
Treatment options at KindCare Medical Center is usually a combination of Cognitive behavioural therapy, medications as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and Neurofeedback, also called EEG biofeedback, as a not pharmaceutical therapy option.