Obsessive compulsive disorders: Clinical

We all have unwanted thoughts at times that we can’t just shake off. And we also have things we want to do only in a particular way - no matter if we’re talking about washing dishes or superstitions.

But individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD and related disorders, like hoarding disorder, experience these obsessive ways of thinking and acting in such an extreme way that it causes distress and begins to negatively impact their lives.

The causes of obsessive-compulsive disorders are not fully understood, but there are a number of risk factors.

Biological factors include hormonal imbalances, neurologic conditions, and having a family history of OCD, confirming a genetic component.

Psychological factors include trauma like sexual abuse or bullying early in life, and environmental factors include streptococcal infections, stress, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Now, according to DSM-5, the most common disorder is obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The other 8 include hoarding disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania or hair-pulling disorder, excoriation or skin-picking disorder, substance or medication-induced obsessive-compulsive and related disorder, and obsessive-compulsive and related disorder due to another medical condition.

The last two are: other specified obsessive-compulsive and related disorder and unspecified obsessive-compulsive and related disorder, which are reserved for symptoms that don't fit any of the main disorders.

In terms of symptoms, the group is mainly characterized by obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions are repeated, persistent, and unwanted thoughts, urges, or mental images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety.

They are hard to get rid of and usually disappear only after performing a certain action or series of actions called compulsions.

Compulsions are repetitive actions like hand washing or mental acts such as praying, counting, or repeating words silently that the individual feels driven to do in response to an obsession or according to this dreaded feeling that some rule must be applied no matter what.