Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is often misunderstood by a lot of people.
Even though it is one of most commonly diagnosed disorders across the populace, most people often misinterpret the symptoms associated with having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as to that of having an OCD disease.
Common misconceptions about this such as being a clean freak is equated to having OCD, in this case, the particular kind in question is all about cleaning one's home.
Other people are thinking that a person can get OCD simply by hanging around people deemed as having the disorder.
Even the term itself often misconstrued.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD for short, is an anxiety disorder with varying symptoms that included intrusive obsessive thoughts that may lead to individuals performing repetitive actions and rituals.
Most patients diagnosed with this are aware that their actions and thoughts are irrational but they have difficulty in hindering themselves from doing them.
However, as what was mentioned, people with OCD are often seen as being inflicted with OCD disease, especially within their direct surrounding and community.
People who are perceived as having the disorder are often shunned and treated as social outcasts by their colleagues for fear of contamination.
To better understand OCD, let us define the meaning of disorders and diseases.
Diseases are defined to have a clear pathophysiological process, which means that there is an evident physical condition such as cell malfunction which lead to the condition.
Disorders refer to abnormalities of biological processes with no clear pathology.
For example, there may be different pathologies that may lead to OCD but there is no obvious basis as to what causes this among different individuals.
Hence, OCD Disease is a conflicting term to use and it would suffice to refer to it as a disorder, rather than a disease.
One may think they can get OCD Disease through close encounters with someone with OCD.
This is not the case.
OCD as a disorder involves complex behaviors and mental factors that an individual undergoes.
There are two sides of OCD: obsession and compulsion.
Obsession entails intrusive thoughts and images that a person with OCD is not able to control and may lead to compulsive behaviour.
Some say that traumas, past experiences and even religious fanaticism are plausible causes.
Other studies linked stress as trigger symptoms of OCD but stress itself does not directly cause OCD.
There are numerous treatment possibilities available nowadays to help lessen the distressing symptoms associated with OCD.
Nowadays, cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used to treat people with this disorder.
Medication is also recommended along with therapy to help alleviate symptoms of OCD such as natural herbal supplements.
Also, it's important to understand that OCD disease should really be referred to as a disorder, and sharing this information across society will lead to better understanding and acceptance of OCD.
Debunking the myths associated with this disorder will lead us one-step closer in helping those who suffer with it to cope with their anxiety and distress, and create a less stressful community.