Top myths about OCD busted

There are many people who are dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder. People with OCD have extreme obsessions and compulsions, which make them highly driven to do certain things in response to their obsessions. The obsessions related to OCD can be persistent, unwanted thoughts, or urges, whereas the compulsions can be mental or repetitive behaviours. There are other obsessive-compulsive disorders. These disorders even involve recurring repetitive behaviours that are linked to the body. No wonder OCD can be tricky to understand and has many myths linked with it. Thus, to bust these myths and get the best OCD treatment in India, this article will help you gain all the knowledge.

Understanding the symptoms of OCD

Obsessions can be linked with unfounded thoughts, worries, and a lot more. They can appear often and can even lead to severe anxiety. The common symptoms of OCD are:

• A strong fixation when it comes to dirt and germs
• You constantly have repeated doubts
• There is a need to do things in a certain way or order
• You are having thoughts about violence and sometimes hurting some people
• You are constantly touching and counting things
• Fixation when it comes to symmetry
• Constant thoughts about sexual acts
• You get troubled by various thoughts that are not aligned with your religious beliefs.

The diagnosis of OCD

It can be diagnosed with a physical as well as a psychiatric exam when you are experiencing extreme obsessions and even compulsions:

• You are spending one hour managing the OCD situations
• Every thought appears to be distressing
• It is interfering with your daily life.

Common myths about OCD

Everyone with OCD tends to have neat and organised spaces

This is not true. People with OCD do not need their places to be neat and tidy. There are situations where people have cleanliness compulsions but do not want to indulge in such rituals. However, they feel the compulsion to complete them. Also, there are people with OCD who do not have neat surroundings. However, there is a strong relationship between OCD and hoarding.

OCD is only about cleanliness

This is a complete myth because OCD is defined by obsessions and even compulsions. It is essential to know that cleanliness is an OCD symptom. Also, OCD is about recurrent as well as persistent thoughts that appear to be unwanted and have repetitive physical behaviours. Compulsions can be explained via an example like constantly washing hands or cleaning the table counter. However, there can also be an involvement of other behaviours such as repeating certain things, counting, etc. Therefore, this behaviour has nothing to do with cleanliness.

OCD people are known to be uptight and neurotic.

Another myth about OCD that is not true is this. There is a misconception when it comes to neurotics as well as OCD. Many people who are dealing with OCD know that their obsessions tend to be irrational and sometimes unrealistic. Sometimes they even feel shame or humiliation when they are dealing with OCD. But it is essential to understand that people with OCD are not uptight or neurotic.

People dealing with OCD simply need to relax.

OCD is known to be an extreme medical illness. People do not opt for it as a personal decision or adapt it to change their lifestyle. This is why telling the person dealing with OCD to relax, stop feeling sad, or simply do their own thing is completely wrong. Mental illness is not easy to deal with, and similarly, OCD is considered to be chronic as well as pervasive. Plus, it can change the way a person deals with the outer world and even affect their overall functioning.

OCD is very obvious to observe

It is hard to tell whether a person has OCD or not. Also, there are many people who hide their compulsions in front of everyone so that they do not feel exposed. Also, people do not often talk about obsessive thoughts and mostly engage in their compulsions when they are in private or carry them out in a discreet way. OCD is a mental illness, and it comes with some sort of shame and stigma. This is why they are skeptical about sharing anything and look for helpful advice.

OCD happens because of a troubled childhood

This is the biggest misconception because OCD does not appear because of one clear cause. There are many people who have OCD but do not report any kind of childhood issues. Also, experts have not highlighted the main causes behind OCD. However, the symptoms or any kind of risk factors in the case of OCD are known to be multifaceted. This is why it is essential not to believe this myth.

OCD cannot be treated

It is true that there is no cure for OCD, but with the help of certain treatments, it can be easy to manage the symptoms of OCD. Plus, the OCD treatments can allow you to experience some life satisfaction. However, it is mandatory to keep in mind that OCD treatment is not about a one-size-fits-all approach. There are some people who easily respond to one OCD treatment while others respond differently. Some of the OCD treatments involve anti-anxiety medications, psychotherapy, antidepressants, and much more. The right OCD treatment can vary from one patient to another and also depends on factors like mental health history, past experiences, and a lot more.

Conclusion

There are so many things that are believed about OCD but most of the things are untrue and can lead you in the wrong direction. This is why it is essential to be fully aware about it and ensure that you are only following the right guidance. The above-mentioned points will allow you to debunk the common myths about OCD. This way you can get the right treatment and visit the right psychiatrist in India. Also, ensure that before stepping for your OCD treatment, you are fully aware about this mental condition, your symptoms, and what you need to do to deal with it.