Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms: What Are the Signs?

OCD is a type of mental illness that causes repeated thoughts and sensations. OCD affects 1-3 percent of the population. If left unchecked and untreated, it can get worse with time, resulting in severe symptoms that can affect every aspect of your life, as well as those people around you. It’s important to identify the early obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms and take prompt measures. At Cadabam’s Hospitals, we offer treatment for a wide range of mental health problems, including OCD. We have a multispecialty team of experienced mental health professionals who offer holistic treatment for OCD, which includes both therapeutic and pharmacological intervention. If you or your loved ones have OCD, connect with us today and enjoy a personalized treatment plan. Call us at +91 97414 76476 or +91 7353226622. You can also send us an email at info@cadabamshospitals.com. 

Understanding OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or most commonly known as OCD is a psychological condition in which the patient thinks excessively about something due to which he or she starts behaving in a compulsive way. This excessive thinking is mostly around a particular theme such as cleanliness, arrangement of items, and more. This condition may start slow and then will gradually get severe. 

OCD is quite common. It is only that some people have mild symptoms while some may have quite intense ones. 

The symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in adults can have some severe impacts on patients. There have been instances where the patients have lost their career or have hurt themselves intensely under compulsive behavior. 

OCD is treatable but it is important to identify the symptoms early so that the right treatment can be started early. The intensity of the obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms causes treatment options to affect accordingly; meaning, your treatment plan depends on the severity of your condition.

Obsessive compulsive disorder Symptoms

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms can be extremely varied and wide-ranging, and go far beyond the "standard" symptoms most people would associate with the condition. They fall under two categories naming- obsessions and compulsions. A brief explanation of the both is given below.

(I) Obsessions: These are recurring thoughts that are in some way disturbing and terrifying. They cause extreme anxiety and stress. The person experiencing these thoughts is fully informed that they are irrational.

(II) Compulsions: These are repetitive behaviours and actions that a person feels forced to perform, often as an attempt to prevent or stop an obsessive thought. These repetitive actions or behaviours could be-

• Continual Cleaning such as repeated Hand-washing

• Organizing things every now and then

• Seeking reassurances
• Hoarding

• Continuous counting
• Involving in ritualistic behaviors.

As with obsessions, the person experiencing compulsions knows that they are irrational too.

As an example for both, some individuals may develop an obsession with the thought that they are contaminated. To reduce the anxiety, they start engaging in the compulsive activity of cleaning their hands repetitively. 

The other Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms that could be associated with the above may include-

• Excessive worry

• Restlessness

• Feeling negative and unhappy

• Palpitations

• Muscle aches and pains

• Fatigue, and numbness
• Tingling

These symptoms may range from mild to serious so it may be something that the person isn't aware of. The OCD symptoms may start manifesting itself any time in a person's life. It might start happening in the person's twenties or thirties. Many psychiatrists believe that OCD usually starts at an early age between 10 and 12.

Impact of OCD: How it Affects Your Life

The symptoms of OCD can impact negatively in a number of ways. 

• Health:

There are patients who may wash hands or face so much that they might end up getting severe wounds on the skin. There are also other OCD patients who may end up consuming the wrong medicines under compulsion. There have been instances where mothers have aborted their babies just due to fear or OCD. 

• Work-Life:

Patients with OCD are not able to focus on their work and this can hamper their professional or academic life. These patients keep on thinking about their fear and may end up not completing their tasks. 

• Social and interpersonal relationships:

Many patients with OCD may not like to leave their house due to their fear and may end up ruining their social relationships. Also, the people around them can get frustrated with their behavior and this can cause trouble in their interpersonal relationships too. 

Why Cadabam’s Hospitals?

Patients with OCD condition require intense care. Hence, it is important that you reach out to the right specialists for proper help. Cadabam’s Hospitals have been offering holistic treatments for such conditions for more than 28 years now. We have a multispecialty team that is experienced in offering the right psychiatric medication interventions along with psychological treatment options such as family therapy, outpatient services, and caregiver support. We leverage on evidence-based approaches to deliver patients the desired results and a personalized experience. If you or your loved ones are experiencing OCD, please get in touch with us today. Call us at +91 97414 76476 or +91 7353226622. You can also send us an email at info@cadabamshospitals.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the role of a psychiatrist in managing symptoms of OCD?

The psychiatrist talks to the patient and runs some tests to understand their condition and its severity. They then offer the right medications to treat the symptoms of OCD. Some psychiatrists also take the help of psychologists in treating severe conditions. 

2. What is a psychiatric emergency in OCD?

There are many situations when the patient may harm themselves or others. This is called a psychiatric emergency in OCD. Cadabam’s Hospitals offer services in order to tackle such emergency situations.  

3: Is OCD a serious condition?

OCD can be a serious condition as the patient suffers from extremely high emotional stress and may, at times, harm themselves or others.