OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
A serious mental health concern
Dr Dimitrios Paschos, Consultant Psychiatrist at Re:Cognition Health was interviewed by Yahoo! News about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Actress Lili Reinhart revealed in a recent interview that she suffers with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, an anxiety-related mental health condition which can be disabling for those living with it.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects about 1.2 % of the population and causes people to have obsessive thoughts and compulsive, repetitive behaviours which can be all consuming. In extreme situations OCD can be detrimental and dangerous to health, preventing individuals from living normal lives or having relationships.
Dr Paschos explains: “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is much more than keeping things organised, clean and germ free and it is certainly not an enjoyable experience for the individual. In fact, it is a serious mental health condition that presents with high, often crippling levels of anxiety and distress.”
The most common compulsions for serious OCD include:
- Checking appliances are turned off, doors are locked and switches are off
- Fear that everything needs to be done perfectly or in a certain way or they may come into harm
- Hoarding things such as old newspapers or other useless objects, afraid that something bad will happen if they are discarded.
- Counting – they be superstitious about particular numbers, colours or order
- Cleanliness – repetitively washing hands or cleaning, afraid of germs or contamination
People with OCD may also suffer from other mental health conditions such as ADHD, skin picking, tic disorders, PTSD, and depression.“OCD is a medical condition; it’s not just eccentric or quirky behaviour and it requires medical treatment,” says Dr Paschos.
Read the full article here.