OCD Myths and Facts: The Vagary Perspective

Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Before we discuss the signs and the symptoms, it is important to know about the disease in-depth first. OCD is a chronic mental health condition that is often detected with the help of different behavioural patterns and signs in an individual. There can be obsessions like urges or desires that can cause anxiety and nervousness in individuals which can further lead to them taking action of a specific kind. For instance, imagine an individual with cleaning related compulsions. The individual will be seen washing hands or cleaning his or her environment often during a day due to her anxiety and stress related to the same. Thoughts like contamination and germs can cause the individual to act in a certain manner.

These kinds of thought patterns and actions can together combine in a person and result in the OCD disease along with several other symptoms in them. Harm or perfectionism revolve around the person’s thinking patterns all the time. Seeking reassurance with checking, washing or counting can be the most common signs and symptoms. The influence of OCD symptoms on a person’s daily life can be huge. Resultantly, they can face issues in work, school, relationships and other aspects of life. The painful cycle of obsessions never ends if not treated well or on time and leads to isolation or dysfunction of the human being. Learning about the OCD symptoms and signs is important in order to seek effective treatment and build a support system to counter the disease wisely.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Myths and Facts

Although the list of myths and false claims by people in general never end, OCD disease has four most common myths that needs to be addressed now. Without the awareness of the right information, several individuals might end up suffering not knowing that there is a solution or treatment option for them. What are these four myths? Let us know-

Myth 1: OCD is simply related to only being neat and organised.

While there may be several people dealing with organisation or cleanliness related OCD, it is not what all OCD patients go through. Some people might want the keys to be placed in a certain manner while the others will want perfecting a situation all the time. Unwanted thoughts and harmful patterns can also be the result of suffering from the OCD disease. Religious concerns are also a highly observed pattern in OCD people.

Myth 2: Weak people deal with OCD.

Many people assume OCD as a sign of personal weakness in an individual. OCD is beyond character or personal traits. It is a disease not an identifying pointer for a person. Emphasis is more on OCD being a medical condition than a personal weakness sign. It can affect people with any gender and age groups during any walk of life. Individuals must not be blamed or tortured with a stigma for their OCD condition.

Myth 3: OCD disease is not treatable.

OCD being a mental condition, is treatable with medicines, therapies, counselling and other similar treatment options. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the most common treatment option for the people dealing with the OCD disease. Detection in the early stage of the condition can be more effective than later stages but OCD can be treated well at most of the stages of the disease.

Myth 4: Every individual has a little OCD in them.

Obsessions and compulsions that cause notable distress while consuming a significant amount of time and disrupt an individual's daily life are the identification traits of the OCD disease.

Coping Strategies and Methods for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Coping with OCD can get easier if an individual is given even the basic support system along with the right schedule to follow. Although the disease is very difficult to deal with, certain steps can make it highly effective to cure or reduce instantly-

Therapy: Professionals always know better than the general people. They are experienced, skilled and knowledgeable individuals who guide the general people to take the right steps in order to get cured quickly and in the best way. Going for a treatment option like therapy from a qualified professional is extremely important to get OCD cured as soon as possible. Therapy helps a person cope strategically without wasting time on other alternatives that may not help.

Medications: Another strategy to cope well with OCD is adding medications under the guidance of a mental health professional in your daily routine. When there is a balance in the thought patterns and chemicals present in the brain, any kind of disease, especially OCD, automatically decreases.

Reading self-help books: Consuming self-help content can help a person increase self-esteem and confidence to counter the disease in the right way. It guides a person to not feel low rather to fight and cope well ahead.

Joining support groups: A safe and supportive environment can always bring the best results especially in mental health related patients. This is because mental health can sometimes be directly linked with societal thoughts and patterns. A supportive environment with a group of people who are empathetic can help a person dealing with OCD to keep the faith and hope for the best.

Meditation: Last but never the least, one of the prime mental health problem solutions include meditating at least for 5 to 15 minutes every day. It brings mindfulness in life and helps an individual get clarity in thoughts.

Conclusion

Mental health conditions like OCD have several myths and false claims around them. This makes many people across the world not take the right step or even be aware of the right step to solve the problem. Seeking the help of a qualified medical professional can guide a person take strategic steps and remain free from a ‘myth-full’ mind.