Khaberni - Some people get used to repeating daily behaviors such as making sure the house door is locked or turning off the stove more than once before going to sleep.
However, these rituals, which may appear normal at first glance, can be indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder in some cases.
Crucial Factors for Diagnosis
German psychiatrist and psychotherapist Tobias Hornig emphasizes that differentiating between a habit and obsessive-compulsive disorder largely depends on the level of psychological distress accompanying the behavior, as well as the time it consumes.
He explained that individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder feel a compulsive urge to think about or engage in a specific behavior despite knowing that it is illogical or even harmful.
For instance, a person with the disorder does not organize their bag out of pleasure but out of severe internal anxiety, with a feeling of compulsion to repeat the behavior to avoid what they perceive as an "internal disaster".
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by irrational thoughts and fears (obsessions) that compel the individual to repeat certain actions compulsively (compulsions), disrupting their daily life.
Despite many sufferers being aware of the irrationality of these actions, their attempts to ignore or resist them often increase their feelings of anxiety and distress, turning these behaviors into a temporary way to relieve tension.
When Should You Consult a Doctor?
Experts advise consulting a doctor when internal anxiety enforces compulsive behaviors on an individual, negatively affects their social relationships, or if they feel ashamed of their behaviors and tend to hide them from others.
Although there is no complete cure for obsessive-compulsive disorder, specialized treatment can alleviate the symptoms to a level that allows the sufferer to return to normal life activities.
Treatment Options
Psychotherapy:
In mild to moderate cases, exposure and response prevention technique is used, which involves exposing the patient to their obsessive triggers and preventing them from executing compulsive behaviors.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also one of the most successful treatment methods for both children and adults, and its results may take several months in severe cases.
Medication:
In severe cases, doctors may resort to medications, often starting with antidepressants, and additional medications might be added to alleviate anxiety depending on the progression of the condition.
