Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Anxiety Disorder?

This is a type of anxiety disorder that causes people to experience a compulsive desire to be orderly in their daily living. People with this type of anxiety mostly have unreasonable thoughts, fears, and worries that cause them to engage in highly repetitive behaviours.

How do you know that you have obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder?

People with obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder may experience the following:

• Persistent worry about being orderly

• Repetitive behaviors

• Excessive carefulness

• Social isolation

• Repetition of words when speaking

• Fear of germs or fear of contamination

• Sweating or feeling tense

• Increased heart rate

• Body pains or feeling stressed out.

What causes obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder?

The causes of obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder are not fully known. However, research suggests that the following factors may play a role in causing obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder:

Genetics or having a family history of obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder

Learning experiences, personality differences, or exposure to stressful events.

Social factors such as the environments we live in, our gender, or the cultural norms in our society.

What are the treatments for obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder?

The treatment can be broadly grouped as follows:

Use of anti-anxiety medications, which are often prescribed by psychiatrists.

Psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, etc.)

A combination of the two (2) groups of treatment is often the best form of treatment for people with obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder.