The repetition, the uncontrollable thoughts, the uneasiness, this, this is OCD. OCD is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to compulsive behaviors. Many people blow off this disorder and just say go to therapy, but we need to take a bigger look at how much it takes over one’s day. Once we take a step into this we can see how one gets it, what it looks like, and how to treat it. 

Diagnosing OCD can look different for many people. The most common way is psychological evaluation, this would be talking about those behaviors. The question is how does our brain create these compulsions? It is said, “some studies reported an association between childhood trauma and obsessive compulsive symptoms.” With that being found we can see that with childhood trauma can cause the impulses to arise. Along with this there is a chance of the disorder creating from other factors like separation anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorders, or depression (Obsessive). In simpler terms. Once an obsession is made there may be urges to fulfill those obsessions by behavior acts (Obsessive). 

 Looking at this and seeing how OCD can start shows us that OCD is more common than we think. 

Going through daily tasks, such as taking a shower, driving, or eating are affected by people that struggle with OCD. These compulsions may look different for everyone, whether that's counting to a certain number, or touching something until satisfied. As one that struggles severely with this disorder, it infuriates me that I can’t do a simple task and not spend an extra 30 seconds doing it just because of my compulsions. Thoughts can differ from many things, some people have more heightened thoughts compared to others, ranging from death to themselves or others to simple discomfort (Obsessive). From a personal look at it, I have to do things in three or five, there is no exact reason for why, other than those numbers make me feel comfortable. 

There are many ways for treating this monstrous disorder, but what is the best? It differs from person to person. “Cognitive behavior therapy- aims to change patterns of thinking, beliefs and behaviors that may trigger anxiety and obsessive compulsive symptoms. This therapy uses education to promote control over symptoms. The education includes information that helps to expose myths about the causes of OCD” (Obsessive). For some this may help them tremendously, and others not so much. This is a great start for helping someone lose some of their unneeded habits. Going along with this idea a simpler way to get rid of this disorder is to force someone to be ok without doing their compulsions. Another idea is, “DBS involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of your brain. “These electrodes produce electrical impulses that may help control impulses that aren't typical.” By this it will make the brain think that it will be ok if their standards are not met. 

Dealing with OCD can be one of the most painful and time consuming things. So many people go about diagnosing this disorder and create a constant mind game with each person. With it being so common and easy to start, there needs to be more outlets for this. There needs to be a bigger look on this disorder and what it does to the brain, along with how one receives OCD, what it looks like, and how to treat it. 

Works Cited

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved February 19, 2024, from nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved March 11, 2024, from nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd