Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD (OCN) is an anxiety disorder where the patient experiences intrusive irresistible thoughts (obsession) that produces anxiety, fear, uneasiness. Patient ends up doing repetitive behavior (compulsion). Patient may realize that their thoughts and actions are irrational and may become further distressed. It is also called Obsessive Compulsive Neurosis (OCN).

Prevalence

It is fourth most common mental disorder. OCD may affect children, adolescent as well as adults. One in 60 adults all over world has OCD.

Causative factors

• Hereditary - OCD in family. Genetic factors form major cause of OCD, which at times may not be clearly understood.
• Environmental factors - Abuse, illness, death of loved ones, etc
• Brain disease - Tissue changes in brain (temporal lobe lesions, low level of neurotransmitters) may cause OCD
• Personality factors - Person with Obsessive traits or lack of confidence may suffer from it.

Symptoms of OCD

Obsession (thoughts)	Fear of dirt or contamination by germs
Fear of dirt or contamination by germs	Hand washing or bathing
Fear of thieves	Checking latches
Need for order, symmetry or exactness	Arranging and rearranging things
Fear of being embarrassed	No interaction with society
Fear of thinking evil or sinful thoughts	Continuous praying and preaching
Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts and images	Excessive sexual activities
activitiesExcessive focus on religious or moral ideas	Praying and worshipping.

Diagnosis of OCD

Generally such patients are brought to the psychiatrist by relatives. It is diagnosed on the basis of symptoms. There are also some assessment tools to diagnose OCD. These tools include questions and the answers by patients are given rating scales concluding the severity of disease.

Treatment of OCD

OCD can be treated with

• Conventional treatment
• Psychotherapy
• Homeopathic treatment.

Conventional Treatment - Antidepressant, anti anxiety medicines, neurotransmitters, electroconvulsive therapy or even surgery may help patient. Surgery can have its own complication where as medications may have side effects on various organs in body.

Antidepressants - generally work by blocking emotional responses. Unlike homeopathic remedies, dependence builds up quickly, and once a course of antidepressants has begun, it is often a step down a long, slippery slope to dependency

Psychotherapy - Cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy, decentralization technique, meditations may help in a supportive role.

Homeopathic treatment for OCD:

Homeopathy works better in the early cases of OCD. In our experience at Life Force, homeopathy does not work effectively in the chronic cases, especially who are dependent on the strong doses of conventional medicines.