(Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) If you keep worrying, “Did I not lock the door properly?”

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a type of anxiety disorder, is a condition characterized by repetitive, persistent thoughts or behaviors that cause distress. When OCD becomes so severe that it interferes with daily life, treatment is necessary.

Professor Lee Ji-won of the Department of Psychiatry at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital said, "Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a painful symptom, but most cases can improve with systematic treatment and help from a professional."

 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurring unwanted thoughts or impulses, followed by repeated behaviors to alleviate them. According to the National Health Insurance Service, 31,522 patients were treated for OCD in 2019, with the largest number being in their 20s and 30s. Men outnumbered women.

 

The cause of OCD is still unclear, but it is believed to be a complex mix of genetics, neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain, and stress. Key types include obsessive thoughts about contamination, persistent checking, organizing, repeating specific actions or language, and collecting.

Obsessions about contamination are the most common form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. They manifest as compulsive behaviors such as repetitive washing, wiping, or cleaning. Examples of repetitive checking include repeatedly checking a door because you think it's not properly locked or repeatedly checking a gas stove because you think it's not turned off.

 

The organizing type requires a unique way of arranging or organizing things. Others repetitively perform specific actions or words. These are also called "compulsive rituals," and can include repeatedly counting specific numbers, saying certain words before doing something, or performing certain rituals.

 

There is a type of hoarding behavior. Also known as the "hoarding type," this type of behavior involves an obsession with the idea that any item might be needed someday, leading to an inability to discard and a compulsive need to collect it. Treatment for OCD requires a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.

 

The professor said, "Because obsessive-compulsive disorder increasingly interferes with daily life, it is crucial to receive appropriate treatment early. Support and understanding from family and friends are also very helpful in treatment." He added, "It is necessary to continuously raise awareness of obsessive-compulsive disorder and inform people about treatment methods."

 

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I have a storage problem.

I like to save and use anything.

I'm not sure if that level is excessive.

 

The standard is the degree to which it interferes with daily life.