MHM Magazine

• Other obsessions Sexual Orientation OCD (SO- OCD) a concern with one’s sexual orientation; magical thinking which has to do with superstitious ideas of lucky/ unlucky numbers or colours; fear of getting physically ill such as getting cancer) Interestingly, research suggests that most, if not all, people have intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images and urges. This doesn’t mean that everyone has OCD. For the average person these only cause momentary minor concern (if any) and are fleeting. For those diagnosed with OCD these thoughts, images and urges “get stuck” and become repetitive causing significant, intense distress for that individual. Compulsions, unique to people with OCD, are repetitive behaviors and/or thoughts the individual feels compelled to have or does for two reasons. Firstly, to reduce the intense distressing feelings the obsessions bring. Secondly, to make sure that the feared event doesn’t occur (even if the person logically knows the chances of this occurring are minuscule and/or are out of their control). Compulsions can also include avoidance of situations and thoughts that may trigger obsessions. Compulsions are however temporary ways of coping with the obsessions and the intense distress, but the client feels compelled to do them despite them being extremely time-consuming and often getting in the way of their daily activities and their values. Compulsions are not done as pleasurable activities or ways to help the person with their daily living. They more than often get in the way of the person’s daily living and the individual would rather not have to do these time-consuming compulsions. Common compulsions are: • Washing and cleaning (e.g. excessively showering and/ or washing hands; or cleaning themselves/personal items in a certain way) • Checking (e.g. not locking doors or leaving the stove on; checking they didn’t harm someone) • Repeating (e.g. Rereading, rewriting, repeating body movements like tapping or touching, or repeating activities often a preferred amount of times) • Mental compulsions (e.g. praying or counting) • Other compulsions (Seeking reassurance, avoidance of triggers/thoughts, or doing or putting things in a certain place until it feels “just right”) Research suggests that OCD could be genetic. Research of the brains of people with OCD suggests problems in communication, through neurotransmitters called serotonin, between the frontal lobes of the brain and the deeper structures of the brain. OCD can present at any age however it commonly occurs initially in two age ranges namely between the ages of 8 and 14 or the late teenage years and early twenties. It‘s estimated that OCD affects between 2-4% of the population. It’s commonly known that heightened levels of stress can increase and worsen OCD symptoms and this has happened with the COVID-19 pandemic. So someone may develop symptoms Issue 3 | 2021 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | 25 MHM