OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by repetitive actions that seem impossible to stop. It is a common condition that can affect men, women, and children. The exact cause of OCD is not completely understood but it may be associated with changes in the chemistry and functioning of the brain, family history, environmental factors such as certain infections, stressful events in life, other mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety, and substance or alcohol abuse.

OCD has two main parts: obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwelcome thoughts, images, urges, worries or doubts that repeatedly appear in your mind. They can make you feel very anxious (although some people describe it as 'mental discomfort' rather than anxiety). A compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act that you feel you need to do to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.

Common types of compulsive behavior in people with OCD include cleaning and hand washing, checking – such as checking doors are locked or that the gas is off, counting, ordering and arranging, hoarding, asking for reassurance, repeating words in their head and thinking "neutralizing" thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts.

Treatments for OCD aim at reducing symptoms and may include psychotherapy or medications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps a patient control their symptoms while exposure and response prevention exposes patients to the feared object. Medications such as antidepressants may also be used to reduce symptoms.

It's important for people with OCD to seek help as it's unlikely that OCD will get better without proper treatment and support. People with OCD are often reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed but it's important to remember that OCD is a health condition like any other and there's nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about.