symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety associated disorder in which a person has unwanted, reoccurring thoughts and behaviors that kindle the urge to do something repetitively, which include cleaning, washing, or checking on things. Such behavior can significantly influence a person’s daily activities as well as social interactions. Find the best doctors in Bangalore to treat any mental disorder. 

People with OCD fall into the following categories:

·         Washers – these people are afraid of contamination, usually, indulge in cleaning or hand-cleaning compulsions.

·            Checkers – they repeatedly check things that may harm or put them in danger.

·       Doubters – such people are having a fear that everything is not perfect something terrible will happen to them.

·      Counters – in this case, people are obsessed with order and symmetry. They may have some superstitious beliefs about particular color, number, or arrangement.

·               Hoarders - people have a fear that something bad will take place if they throw anything away.

Signs & symptoms

People who have OCD may show symptoms of compulsions, obsessions, or both. These symptoms can become the cause of hindrance in all aspects of life, including school, work, and personal relationships.

Compulsions - these refer to repetitive behaviors that a person having OCD driven by the urge to do something repetitively in response to an obsessive thought. They include:

·         Excessive cleaning or hand-washing

·         Arranging things in a particular way

·         Compulsive counting

·         Frequently checking on things, e.g. repeatedly checking if the door is locked or not.

 Obsessions – they are constant urges, thoughts, or illusions that lead to anxiety. Common symptoms are:

·         Aggressive or dangerous towards others or self

·         Afraid of germs or contamination

·         Want things symmetrical or in a proper order

·         Unwanted taboo thoughts involving religion, sex, and harm.

In some cases, people with OCD also have a tic disorder. Motor tics include brief, sudden, frequent movements, like eye blinking or other eye movements, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing, and head or shoulder jerking. Common vocal tics are repetitive sniffing, throat-clearing, or grunting sounds.