Easily overlooked behaviours such as rereading a message on the phone can be exhausting compulsions for those living with OCD.
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It is common to hear someone say they are “OCD” about a clean desk, tidy home or perfectly arranged routine. But obsessive-compulsive disorder – what it stands for – is not a quirk or a preference for order.
People with OCD experience thoughts or fears that feel impossible to shake, driving repeated actions or rituals – even when they know those may be illogical – just to ease the anxiety. This can make daily life exhausting, especially when sufferers try to hide their symptoms out of shame or fear of being judged, says Mount Alvernia Hospital psychiatrist Lim Wei Shyan.
Here, he explains more about the condition and how to get help.
Q: What is OCD, and how is it different from perfectionism?
OCD is a mental health condition involving obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts or urges that cause strong anxiety or distress. A person may fear that something terrible will happen because of something they did, did not do, or even merely thought about.
To cope, they may carry out compulsions – repeated behaviours or mental acts that are meant to “undo” the fear or prevent the imagined consequence. For example, someone afraid of contamination may wash their hands excessively. Another may check the door repeatedly to make sure it is locked, or keep rereading a message on their phone for fear of a mistake.
Unlike perfectionism, OCD is driven by fear rather than personal standards. A perfectionistic person may prefer things to be done well, but they can usually move on if things are not perfect. Someone with OCD may feel unable to stop, even when the rituals disrupt their day or cause distress.
Q: Why is OCD often overlooked or misunderstood?
In younger people, early compulsions may be brushed off as bad habits that they will grow out of. In adults, OCD may be mistaken for anxiety or depression, especially when the person is already feeling distressed, tired or low from trying to manage their symptoms.
Stigma also plays a big part. Some people with OCD may know that their fears and compulsions seem irrational, and this can make them feel embarrassed. They may hide what they are going through to avoid being called “weird” or “crazy”.
These barriers can delay early diagnosis and support, which are important as symptoms can interfere with school, work, relationships and daily routines when left unaddressed.
Q: How is OCD treated, and can people get better?
The goal of treating OCD is not always to erase every symptom, but to help people live without their daily life being controlled by obsessions and compulsions.
A key treatment is psychotherapy, where a patient is gradually exposed to thoughts or situations that trigger anxiety, while learning not to carry out the usual compulsion.
Over time, this helps them see that the anxiety can pass without the ritual, and that the feared outcome does not happen. This breaks the cycle of obsessive thoughts, anxiety and compulsive behaviour.
For some patients, medications may also be used, especially when symptoms are distressing or affecting daily life. It can help make it easier for the person to engage in therapy.
With proper care, many people with OCD can manage their symptoms and regain a sense of control in their lives.
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.
