Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options for OCD

Overview of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Is your love for cleanliness and order often jokingly referred to as OCD? It’s worth noting that the casual use of the term may not necessarily align with the medical definition of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. According to our doctors at the hospital for dTMS for OCD in Mumbai, OCD is characterized by intrusive and persistent thoughts, as well as ritualistic compulsions in OCD that significantly disrupt everyday activities.

Feelings of distress and worry can intensify if you attempt to ignore OCD types or stop your obsessions in OCD. Eventually, you may find yourself compelled to engage in repetitive behaviors to relieve the tension. Despite your efforts to avoid or eliminate unwanted thoughts or urges, they persistently resurface. This creates a cycle of additional ritualistic behaviors, forming the infamous OCD vicious circle.

 

OCD Symptoms

It’s important to understand that OCD types encompass more than just obsessions in OCD with cleanliness and can manifest in various ways, affecting individuals differently based on the specific syndrome they experience. Here are four common OCD Types and OCD symptoms:

 

1. Symmetry and Precision Seeking

• Having a strong desire to organize things symmetrically or in a particular order.
• Reaching a sense of balance by completing tasks a predetermined number of times.
• Insisting on exact placements for things, such neatly aligned books on a shelf.
• Activities of balancing, such as touching something with one hand first and then the other in order to preserve symmetry.
• Altering objects several times until they are “just right” or precisely aligned.

 

2. Double Checking

• Making sure windows and doors are locked several times before deciding to feel safe.
• Making frequent checks to make sure that equipment like irons and stoves are off.
• Reviewing emails or job tasks several times to ensure accuracy.
• Constantly double-checking routes and directions when walking or driving.
• Confirming that light switches and other gadgets are off by often checking them.

3. Cleanliness

• Hand washing frequently and for longer periods of time in an effort to get rid of germs.
• Investing hours on thoroughly cleaning the same sections of the house to make sure they are clear of any pollutants.
• Avoiding items or locations in public to avoid contact with alleged filth or diseases.
• Showering several times a day in order to feel fresh and clean.
• Frequently cleaning personal objects like phones, keys, and doorknobs.
• Severe anxiety over contaminating commonplace items or surfaces.
• Reducing worry about cleanliness by adhering to rigorous and repetitive cleaning practices.
• Utilizing a lot of cleaning supplies to make sure surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.
• Constantly making sure that objects, such bathroom sinks or kitchen counters, are clean.
• Discarding potentially contaminated objects, even if they are still functional

 

4. Pure Obsessions

• Unwanted, persistent ideas that one could hurt herself or other people.
• Disturbing, unwelcome, and invasive sexual thoughts or pictures.
• Excessive worry over moral or religious matters, frequently motivated by blasphemy or sin worries.
• Despite assurances from doctors, obsessive concerns of having a major illness.
• Considerable distress brought on by uncertainties and worries regarding the suitability or genuineness of relationships.

 

What Are The 3 Causes of OCD? 

According to the our neurologists who provide the best OCD treatment in Mumbai, the exact causes of OCD remains unknown, it is believed that a family history of the condition can significantly increase the likelihood of developing it.

1. Genetics 

According to the doctors at our TMS treatment clinic for OCD in Mumbai, people who have a first-degree family with OCD, such as a biological parent or sibling, are more likely to experience the disorder themselves. 

 

2. Brain Changes

OCD patients have different frontal cortex and subcortical brain regions, according to imaging studies. Furthermore, causes of OCD has been linked to other neurological illnesses affecting similar brain areas, such as Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

 

3. Learning

Through the process of learning, either through watching family members or gradually developing them over time, obsessive fears and compulsive behaviours can be learned.

 

How Is OCD Treated? Most Common OCD Treatment Options

Taking the first step of connecting with a specialist in obsessive disorder therapy in Mumbai can be beneficial in exploring appropriate OCD treatment options.

Typically, the treatment for OCD will involve a combination of psychotherapy and medication. At RNR Medicine clinic in Jaslok hospital, we also provide the best non invasive therapies for OCD in Mumbai.

1. Medication For OCD

Several psychotropic medications can help reduce OCD symptoms. A psychiatrist or another healthcare professional may prescribe:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft).
• Fluvoxamine
• Paroxetine

2. Therapy For OCD

Therapy is typically recommended as part of a comprehensive OCD treatment approach by mental health professionals.

While medication can help alleviate symptoms of OCD, working with a therapist can also provide you with:

 

• CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For OCD

This approach helps in identifying and reframing patterns of negative thoughts and behaviors.

 

• ERP or Exposure And Response Prevention For OCD

A type of CBT that involves gradual exposure to feared situations or the concerns underlying obsessions or compulsions in OCD. How to manage OCD symptoms? The goal of ERP is to learn how to manage the distress due to the causes of OCD without engaging in compulsive behaviors.

 

Can OCD be Cured Permanently?

Despite the fact that there is no known cure for OCD, many people with the disorder are able to significantly reduce their OCD symptoms and lead fulfilling lives by combining medication and therapy. 

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), notably Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), are the main therapeutic modalities.

With the right care, many people have long-term remission and keep control of their symptoms of OCD. Efficient management of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and enhancement of the quality of life for individuals impacted by the illness require early intervention, continuous support, and customized OCD cure regimens.

 

Why Should You Consider TMS Or dTMS for OCD at Jaslok Hospital?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-approved, non-invasive, and painless approach for treating psychiatric problems that has showed encouraging outcomes in recent trials. It can be especially effective for patients who have upsetting thoughts that interfere with their everyday lives and work performance.

TMS may be a feasible choice for those who have not reacted well to other OCD cure such as medicines and behavioural therapies. Even patients with diverse medical issues, such as pregnancy, hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, kidney ailments, and heart disease, can benefit from it.

Remember, OCD is a mental health condition.  Just like with any mental health condition, it is crucial to seek consultation from our doctors who provide the best obsessive disorder therapy in Mumbai as soon as you discover symptoms of OCD. Your needs can be taken into account while developing an OCD cure plan by our healthcare professionals and mental health specialists at Jaslok Hospital’s department of RNR Medicine, which will help you successfully control your compulsions and obsessions in OCD. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and direction.