Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the most common mental health conditions in adults.
In this article, Dr. Kowal answers the most common FAQs about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Some forms of OCD mainly arise from obsessive thoughts, while others are mostly marked by compulsive actions or rituals.
Obsessive thoughts force themselves into a person’s mind and keep returning in the same way. In most cases, these thoughts are disturbing, frightening, or distressing. People usually try to push them away, but the effort is often unsuccessful.
Compulsive actions or rituals are unpleasant and usually serve no real practical purpose. People with OCD often perform them to prevent an unlikely event that they fear could harm them or cause harm to others. Most patients are aware that these behaviours do not make sense, and they repeatedly try to resist them. However, anxiety, tension, or feelings of disgust are usually constantly present and become even stronger when they try to stop the compulsive behaviour.
Below, we provide the common questions about OCD that our patients ask.
For more information about OCD, contact our expert psychiatrist Dr. Kowal
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition defined by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) that individuals feel compelled to carry out. These obsessions and compulsions can greatly disrupt daily life and lead to significant distress. We don’t recommend a self-diagnosis. Patients with OCD need a thorough clinical assessment.
What are the common symptoms of OCD?
Symptoms of OCD vary but may include obsessive thoughts about contamination, orderliness, aggression, or harm, as well as compulsive behaviours such as excessive cleaning, checking, counting, or arranging items in a particular way.
What causes OCD?
The exact cause of OCD is unknown, but it’s believed to involve a combination of genetic, neurological, behavioural, cognitive, and environmental factors. Certain life events, trauma, or stress may trigger or exacerbate symptoms in predisposed individuals.
Do I have OCD…
I worked as an engineer for ten years in Europe and for the last 5 years in Dubai. My wife thinks that I might have OCD. I agree that I’m a perfectionist, but this is not disturbing me. How can I exclude that I have OCD?
Answer
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) can appear as a variety of symptoms, such as washing compulsions, checking things countless times (e.g., locks on doors), performing rituals, arranging objects in a certain way, repeating words and phrases, or experiencing reciprocal thoughts, often with disturbing content. The individual is not able to “brush out” such thoughts or urges for actions. Perfectionism without feeling restricted by it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have OCD. However, to exclude or confirm the diagnosis, you will need a psychiatric assessment.
I wash my hands frequently…
Since the pandemic, I noticed that I’m washing my hands at least 10 times per day. Where is the division line between hygiene and OCD? Where can I diagnose OCD in Dubai?
Answer:
Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist. The assessment includes a thorough review of symptoms, medical history, and possible contributing factors. Based on that, we can secure or exclude the diagnosis of OCD.
Where can I diagnose and treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in Dubai?
The assessment for OCD can be done at our psychiatric clinic in Dubai.
Treatment for OCD often involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), is considered the most effective psychotherapy for OCD. The most effective medications in the treatment of OCD are the antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
What is ERP therapy?
The main psychotherapeutic technique used in the treatment of OCD is a variation of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP gradually exposes the patients to situations triggering the compulsions, trying to block the usual compulsive act associated with the obsession.
During Exposure and Response Prevention, the patient gradually confronts triggering stimuli under the guidance of a therapist and learns to manage the arising unpleasant feelings without performing compulsive actions. Ideally, exposure to triggering situations should occur in the patient’s everyday environment (e.g., at home). Through this process, the patient realizes that the feared consequences of the situation do not occur and that they can cope with the unpleasant feelings, leading to a decrease in anxiety, disgust, or tension over time, even without performing compulsions.
My husband suffers from OCD. How can I support him?
Supporting someone with OCD involves providing empathy, understanding, and encouragement while avoiding judgment or criticism. Encouraging them to seek professional help and participate in treatment, as well as learning about OCD together, can also be beneficial.
My OCD is taking over…
My OCD is getting worse. I work as an accountant in Dubai. At work I had to read the same sentence several times, which massively affected my work performance. If I stop the repetitive rereading, I feel extremely anxious. I feel that I will never get rid of it. I had psychotherapy for OCD in the past. There was some improvement, but the symptoms never went away. Now I am feeling hopeless. Is there anything you can do for me?
Answer:
As you know, OCD is an anxiety-based disorder. Once the patient tries to stop rituals or obsessive thoughts, anxiety will strike him. In milder forms of OCD, psychotherapy alone might be sufficient. For treatment of OCD in our clinic in Dubai, we use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or exposure and response prevention (ERP). However, when OCD is debilitating, the most effective method is the combination of treatment with medication (usually with antidepressants). Untreated OCD can lead to severe social or professional consequences and to full invalidism.
Can OCD be treated and cured?
While there is no definitive cure for OCD, many individuals experience significant symptom relief and improvement with proper treatment and ongoing management. With therapy and medication, individuals can learn to better manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
Are OCD thoughts real?
Question:
I’m getting again and again negative thoughts that something terrible might happen to my family. Logically, I can’t spot any danger, but I’m not able to brush out the compulsive thoughts.
Answer:
Obsessive thoughts experienced in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are real in the sense that individuals genuinely experience them. However, these thoughts are often irrational, intrusive, and distressing, causing significant anxiety and disruption to daily life. It’s important to understand that while the thoughts themselves may not reflect objective reality, the distress they cause is genuine and can have a profound impact on the individual’s well-being.
I live in Dubai and have suffered from OCD for several years…
Question:
I still take medication prescribed in my home country. In the past few months, the OCD symptoms have been getting stronger. How do I get rid of the symptoms? What can I do on my own to control the OCD symptoms?
Answer:
Without proper treatment, OCD tends to get chronic. Treatment for OCD lasts longer than treatment for anxiety or depression. Therapy for OCD lasting several years is not unusual.
The state-of-the-art therapy for OCD is a combination of medication with regular psychiatric monitoring and psychotherapy. There are self-help strategies complementary to the above-mentioned OCD treatment management.
