Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a severe anxiety disorder in which a person has repetitive and unwanted , irrational thoughts also known as obsessions followed by compulsory & repeated actions leading to significant distress , guilt and dysfunction.
Obsessions are thoughts and images that repeat again and again in the mind. They are unpleasant and unwanted and even on trying, it is not possible to stop them. Common obsessions are about dirt, doubts, something bad happening.
Compulsions are acts done to be relined from the obsessions and the stress and tension common compulsions are washing, checking, repeating routine acts, counting, praying. Most persons who suffer from OCD benefit from receiving medication and therapy together.
The process of how our thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) are intertwined with OCD is a much more complex process.
OCD is often a debilitating disorder and runs a chronic course, its proper and complete treatment is necessary. Complete treatment approaches include pharmacological and psychological treatment.
Pharmacological treatment involves medications prescribed by psychiatrists, a class of antidepressants, or anxiolytics; and psychological management involves therapies such as EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION TECHNIQUE (ERP) or CBT. If patient receive proper care with these treatment strategies including involvement of their family members in supportive care, they can achieve a great reduction in their symptoms and hence a good prognosis. At VIMHANS, we provide specific care and treatment for every patient considering their illness, their insight, their resources, their family support and try to help them achieve recovery as much as possible.