Signs & Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms vary from person to person. We all have some symptoms of OCD, e.g. we are used to checking the locks of the car or the house couple of times before we leave, or we are very particular in our work and want it be finished to perfection, for which, if require, and we do the same tasks again. All successful people have some form of OCD in them! However, when the thoughts or acts become very intrusive and affects the daily living of a person, it is called a disease. The common themes are checking, washing and cleaning, excessive need for order and symmetry, unwanted aggressive thoughts, unwanted sexual thoughts, counting, the need to ask or confess and hoarding.

The most common symptom like frequent washing of hands, checking and washing symptoms respond well to surgical line of treatment. The obsessions and compulsions are accompanied by overwhelming anxiety and are distressing and time-consuming. They lead to serious impairment in occupational, scholastic and/or social functioning. Patients go to great lengths to avoid objects or situations that provoke obsessions or compulsions and severely restrict general functioning. We had patient who had not taken bath for 90 days in order to avoid the compulsions. The patient is aware of the obsessive thoughts, but is unable to control it. The compulsions are very disturbing and are not associated with any pleasure but have to be completed in order to be at peace.

OCD symptoms are also associated with depression and anxiety. Anxiety is very high amongst the patients suffering from OCD. According to one study, up to 67% of patients of OCD would suffer from major depression during their lifetime. All the patients of obsessive compulsive disorder that we have operated had comorbid depression. There are associated psychiatric disorders that can be found in patients of OCD and this can be seen in up to 60-90% of OCD patients. Research suggests that when OCD improves longitudinally with effective treatment, depressive symptoms disappear as well.

The quality of life (QoL) of patients of OCD is affected considerably, due to frequent absences from the work. lack of focus and difficulty in maintaining relationships with colleagues. This is compounded by a sense of guilt and shame which these patients suffer. According to a study this is found to affect more than 30% of the patients. The family of the OCD patient also suffer considerable disturbance. We had a patient who insisted that her parents would have to wash their hands to her satisfaction if they went out with her and touched any object that she thought was contaminated. Due to this kind of behavior she had to be taken out of the school. About 75–90% of patients report a decrease in self-esteem and 50% reported having frequent thoughts about suicide.