What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?

It is a mental illness consisting of obsessive thoughts and impulses called obsessions and repetitive behaviors and mental actions called compulsions. Not every obsessive thought or behavior means that a person has obsessive-compulsive disorder. Situations such as being unsure of some things and checking again and again and being organized are things that everyone can do. However, this disorder can be mentioned when obsessions and/or compulsions are observed and have a persistent and sometimes periodic exacerbation that significantly affects the daily functions of the person. There are distressing thoughts, dreams, feelings and desires that come to the person's mind over and over again (obsessions) and/or the inability to stop doing the same thing over and over again for a long time (compulsion). Even if the person tries to ignore or stop their obsessions, they cannot prevent the situation and it also increases their anxiety. The person pushes himself as he begins to take compulsive actions to relieve his stress. Even though they try to get rid of obsessive thoughts or impulses, this can sometimes lead to worse consequences.

What are the symptoms of OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder usually involves obsessions and compulsions. However, it is also possible to have only obsession symptoms or only compulsion symptoms. Obsessions are images that are recurring, persistent, and unwanted, causing distress or anxiety. The person tries to ignore these thoughts or suppress them. Obsessions usually have themes such as: Fear of dirt or contamination with germs Being neat and symmetrical An obsession with excessive cleanliness Thoughts of harm to oneself or loved ones Unwanted thoughts, such as sexual or religious matters Doubt and difficulty tolerating uncertainty Compulsions may occur in response to a person's obsession or rigidity It involves repetitive behaviors or mental actions that one feels as if one is somehow forced to perform according to rules that must be followed. Compulsions often have themes such as: washing and cleaning checking counting regularity saying religious words repeating words silently Obsessions and compulsions take up a lot of the person's time (more than an hour a day). Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is very important to treat. Since it is not treated, it may not heal on its own. The most effective approach to treatment is to combine medications with appropriate therapies.