The most common type of mental illness: obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects about 2.3% of people at some point in their lives

– It is a psychological disorder in which the sufferer feels that a certain idea always accompanies him and occupies a part of his awareness and feeling in a compulsive manner, meaning that he cannot get rid of or detach from it, such as the need to constantly check things, or to practice habits and rituals repeatedly, or for an idea to take over. What is on the mind in a way that you cannot think of anything else.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is also defined as a controlling thought and compulsive behavior that appears repeatedly in the individual, haunts him and possesses him, and he cannot resist it, despite his awareness of its strangeness and uselessness. He feels anxious and tense if he resists what he urges himself to do, and he feels an internal urgency to do it.

It is noted that these thoughts or practices are repeated periodically and over relatively long periods. Examples include washing hands, counting things, or checking the lock of the door and windows. Examples also include the difficulty that some people may face when getting rid of things and throwing them outside.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder practices are usually accompanied by involuntary spasms, anxiety disorders, and an increased risk of suicide.

The causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder are still not fully known from a biological standpoint. Although there are genetic factors influencing, psychological factors include a history of exposure to abuse in childhood or any other incidents causing psychological stress.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects about 2.3% of people at a certain stage in their lives, and the incidence rate at a specific age is about 1.2%, and it is a widespread disorder throughout the world.

It is uncommon for symptoms of the disorder to appear after the age of thirty-five, while about half of the people who have problems due to it had symptoms before the age of twenty. The infection rate is equal between men and women.

– The condition may last for decades without treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct psychological treatment for those with obsessive-compulsive disorder, which includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), by increasing exposure to the cause of the problem while not allowing repetitive behavior to occur.

– Sometimes it may be necessary to use drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); As well as atypical antipsychotics, but the latter have significant side effects.