Obsessive Compulsive Disorder seems to be getting worse during COVID - What are some symptoms of OCD?
There is no denying the fact that mental health has taken a huge hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there is significant data and a very evident spike in people seeking professional help for various mental health issues, people on a personal level are also experiencing symptoms and effects of mental health disorders on their every day lives.
With the COVID-19 pandemic came the need to ensure that we pay special attention to hygiene. While this step is just to ensure our safety and health, and keep the virus at bay, it turned out to be triggering for some people, and only affected their mental health negatively.
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, abbreviated as OCD, is defined as a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder, where a person has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts or behaviours that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over again. These thoughts and behaviours are obsessive and compulsive. These symptoms of obsession and compulsion, soon start to interfere with their professional and personal lives and also impact their relationships.
How COVID-19 pandemic has impacted OCD and people living with it?
While the pandemic has had an impact on people who were living with mental health conditions and has cropped up new symptoms in people who had never seen them before, people with OCD seem to be highly affected. While they are considered experts in cases of danger, as their obsessive thoughts about it can help them avert dangers such as the viral disease, the pandemic stress and anxiety has been triggering for most of them and has led to a loss of control in their lives. According to research that talks about management of OCD during COVID-19, “Paradoxically, they are ‘experts by experience’ in attempting to avert dangers through enacting compulsive behaviours. Chiefly, the spike in anxiety about the virus is fuelling existing obsessive fears of contamination in some people with OCD and further triggering harmful compulsive actions. For these people, coronavirus can become all they think about.”
Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, like most mental health issues, does not crop up overnight. It starts with subtle signs and symptoms, most we often ignore, which slowly turns into a bigger problem. Understanding these symptoms can help in preventing the disorder from taking over your life.
The symptoms of OCD can be divided into Obsessions and Compulsions.
Obsessions include repetitive thoughts and mental images, that can cause anxiety.
- Fear of germs or contamination
- Unwanted thoughts about taboo subjects like sex, religion
- Aggressive thoughts towards self, others
- Keeping things in absolute symmetry
- Inability to control your thoughts, even when they are recognised as obsessive
Compulsions include actions that mostly are given birth by the above obsessive thoughts. These include -
- Washing hands regularly
- Checking things repeatedly – if the door is locked, if the gas burner is turned off, etc
- Compulsive counting
- Constantly cleaning surfaces, arranging, organising things
OCD can normally be treated with therapy, and medications, and mostly a combination of both. Trying to control your thoughts and actions can help. However, if you experience any of the symptoms above and recognise them as obsessive, seeking professional help is recommended, before these thoughts and actions take control of your life.