Frequent hand washing, unlocking the door when leaving the house, checking the stove repeatedly, obsession with symmetry… This and similar obsessive behaviors indicate obsessive compulsive disorder!
If the duration of life-threatening obsessions exceeds 1 hour per day, slows down the person, negatively affects their relationship and work, this may indicate obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatrists gave information about obsessive compulsive disorder and treatment methods.
Obsessions breed unwanted behavior
Obsessive compulsive disorder is a disorder that is accompanied by obsessive thoughts and uncomfortable behaviors. The so-called “obsession” are thoughts that you know are irrational but you can not get it out of your head, and even more come to mind as you try not to think about it, preventing you from thinking about something else. Another part of the disorder is compulsions, which occur in order to distract our mind from thoughts called obsession, which forces you to do it even if you don’t want to, and it is repeated behaviors. However, obsessions and compulsions can be seen in many people at a level that does not cause problems.
Obsession with cleanliness and symmetry
There are some common conditions in people with this condition. Due to fears that their clothes or belongings are contaminated with dirt, germs or a dirty substance, there may be problems with cleanliness, such as changing them frequently. Another complaint seen in these people is the inability to be sure. They repeatedly check if they can turn off their stove, door, window, sockets or power tools when leaving the house. They usually describe it as “I know I’m turned off, but I still can’t stop controlling myself.”
Some patients complain that they have thoughts that they will harm someone else. Don’t be afraid to jump down when you’re passing through a high place, don’t be afraid to hit a wall on purpose while driving. Extravagant curiosity of order, trying to place items symmetrically, counting to a certain number before doing a job, accumulating unnecessary items in the house with the idea that it may be necessary in the future are other common situations.
Don’t expect your obsession to pass on their own
To say that an obsession is an obsession, especially a condition that requires treatment, these obsessions need to cause a pronounced distress to the person. People are aware of their obsessions, but they don’t usually want to talk about it with their surroundings because they’re embarrassed. One may want to isolate himself from social life due to his obsessions. If obsessive thoughts and behaviors make life unbearable, a specialist should be consulted immediately. The likelihood of this psychological disorder passing on its own without treatment is very low.
Drug treatment and psychotherapy should be applied together
There are two types of treatments for obsessive disorder: medication and psychotherapy (treatment by talking). It is appropriate to apply two treatments together. In very severe cases, there are trials of brain surgery and successful results are obtained.