Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
It's sometimes hard to diagnose OCD because symptoms can be like those of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia or other mental health disorders. It is also possible to have OCD and another mental health disorder at the same time. It is important to work with your doctor so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Steps to help diagnose obsessive-compulsive disorder may include:
Psychological evaluation:
This includes talking about your thoughts, feelings, symptoms and behaviour patterns to find out if you have obsessions or compulsive behaviours that get in the way of your quality of life. With your permission, this may include talking to your family or friends.Physical Exam:
This may be done to rule out other issues that could cause your symptoms and check for any related complications.
Treatment
Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment may not result in a cure, but it can help bring symptoms under control so that they don't rule your daily life. Depending on how serious your OCD is, you may need long-term, ongoing or more-intensive treatment.
The two main treatments for OCD are psychotherapy and medicines. Psychotherapy also is known as talk therapy. Often, a mix of both treatments is most effective.
Psychotherapy:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, is effective for many people with OCD. Exposure and response prevention (ERP), a part of CBT therapy, involves exposing you over time to a feared object or obsession, such as dirt. Through this, you learn strategies and ways to help prevent you from performing your compulsive rituals. ERP takes effort and practice, but you may enjoy a better quality of life once you learn to manage your obsessions and compulsions (1).
*1-Mayo Clinic, US, 2024.
