OCD is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent unpleasant thoughts desires, or obsessions. Additionally, it can induce compulsive behaviors in you, such as repeating specific tasks. Both Obsessions and compulsions can occur together. Biting your nails or having unfavourable thoughts are not practices associated with OCD. An obsession might be that particular colours or numbers are "good" or "bad." Washing your hands several times after contacting anything potentially dirty is an example of a compulsive habit. Despite your desire to stop thinking or acting this way, you cannot do so.

Your life may become severely disturbed and disrupted by OCD. Treatments, however, and coping strategies can be useful.

Obsessions include:
These are unwanted thoughts, ideas or fears, often resulting from anxiety -

• Anxiety about harming oneself or others Constant awareness of breathing, blinking, or other physical sensations
• Concerns about dirt and bacteria getting on your body
• Fear of forgetting or misplacing something
• Concerns about not being able to control what you say or do
• Disturbing ideas on violence, religion, or sex
• The need for symmetry or order

Compulsions:
These are characterized by repetitive behavior or rituals meant to reduce anxiety resulting from obsessions -

• Following strict procedures or performing activities in a certain order each time
• The requirement to count objects, such steps or bottles, and to give numbers meaning
• Customs for cleaning and washing
• Putting things in a specific sequence
• Checking several times that appliances are off, doors are closed, etc.
• Saying specific phrases again or silently praying
• Continuously looking for validation or confirmation

Types:

Checkers - This entails having persistent worries that you've done something wrong or that something horrible will occur, which leads you to repeatedly check the oven, light switches, locks, and alarm system.

Cleaners - This is the need to clean or worry that something could be dirty. You can decline to shake hands, use public restrooms, or touch doorknobs. It is called mental contamination when you experience being treated like dirt. There’ an excessive need to clean and wash everything.

Order and symmetry - This is the need for everything to be arranged in a specific way. Repetitive movements like obsessive counting are also involved. The preoccupation might stem from something entirely unrelated, such as a fear that someone would pass away unless you touch the table a specific amount of times.

Intrusive thoughts and ruminations: - This is a preoccupation with a certain idea. These ideas might include some violent or unsettling ideas.

Postpartum OCD - It is frequently believed that hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy, together with the additional obligations of parenthood, are what trigger this particular type of OCD. Postpartum or perinatal OCD is characterized by thoughts and actions focused on the infant, such as an overwhelming dread that something terrible will happen to them or an obsessive cleaning of the baby's things.

Causes:

There's much uncertainty about OCD's precise aetiology. It is believed that the environment, genetics, and brain abnormalities all play a part. Often, it begins in adolescence or early adulthood. However, it can also begin at a young age. OCD impacts both genders equally. It seems to be hereditary. OCD may be accompanied by other comorbid psychological conditions like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or addiction.

Treatment:

Psychotherapy - OCD is most commonly treated with exposure and response prevention (ERP), a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Several trials have found that this is a successful OCD therapy.

If you give in to your compulsion, you can feel as though something negative will occur. You can learn to control obsessions without indulging in compulsions under the supervision of a therapist. This may eventually lessen the obsession's strength.

Medications - Certain individuals with OCD get relief from medication, particularly from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Any decision related to medication should be taken under the guidance of a mental health professional.

Self-care techniques - People with OCD may benefit from certain self-care techniques. Stress management may be helpful as stress exacerbates OCD. Engaging in calming activities including exercise, meditation, and creative pursuits as well as writing and other expressive activities might be strategies for managing stress in people with OCD.