Conquering Obsessive Cleanliness: Navigating OCD Amidst a Changing World

 A mental health condition known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), also referred to as obsessive cleanliness disorder, is characterized by intrusive thoughts and uncontrollable repetitive behaviors that disrupt with daily life. People with OCD may experience obsessive thoughts or anxieties about disease, germs, or filth, and they may do compulsive cleaning, hand-washing.It can cause severe mental distress and interfere with relationships, employment, education, and other facets of life. 

One of my very good friend from school was diagnosed by obsessive cleanliness disorder also known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She was a cheerful and carefree person who loved spending time with her friends and family. But when the world was hit by a pandemic called Covid-19. Her life changed drastically as the virus spread rapidly and the entire country went into lockdown. She had to stay at home, her college was closed, and she couldn't meet her friends or family. But then, things got even worse. Her aunt(mother’s sister) passed away due to the virus. She was devastated and couldn't believe that her aunt was gone forever. She gradually began to have a severe phobia of contamination and germs. She started frequently washing her hands, used to take long showers, and was terrified of contracting the virus and spreading it to others. Her anxieties and actions grew worse and began to interfere with her daily existence.It became into an obsession that consumed her life to the point where she struggled to carry on as usual. Her mental well-being also started to deteriorate. She wasn’t behaving like she used to do she noticed it herself and her strange behavior was also noticed by her mother.She also talked about it with her family and friends and realized something is not normal and she wanted to get over it.Because of the pandemic that time there was lockdown all over the country so she couldn’t go to see a therapist in person but she took some online sessions with a psychiatrist l. With the help of her therapist, She learned to cope with her fears and compulsions.Her disorder hasn’t completely gone but it’s way better than how it was before.her therapist helped her to find new ways to manage her anxiety and fear. Hopefully one day she’ll get over her fear of germs.

Overcoming OCD can be a difficult journey that frequently necessitates the assistance of a specialist. Individuals with OCD can, however, use the following strategies to manage their symptoms: 

Seek expert help: OCD is a treatable disorder, therefore talking to a mental health professional like a psychologist or psychiatrist about your situation might be the first step toward recovery. A doctor may recommend medicine to treat symptoms, and a therapist can help the patient develop coping skills. 

Apply mindfulness techniques: People with OCD can learn to manage their anxiety and symptoms by engaging in mindfulness exercises like meditation and deep breathing. 

Use prevention therapy: This type of therapy entails progressively exposing the individual to their worries and teaching them coping methods for anxiety. This can help lower the severity of obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions over time. 

Look after yourself: Caring for oneself can help reduce stress and anxiety, which helps lessen OCD symptoms. This can involve getting enough rest, eating a balanced diet, and working out frequently. It's crucial to remember that overcoming OCD may be a lengthy procedure, so be patient and nice to yourself during this time. 

To sum up, OCD is a mental illness that affects millions of individuals globally. It is characterized by difficult to regulate repetitive activities as well as intrusive, persistent thoughts. OCD's precise cause is unknown , although research indicates that a combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors may be at play. Thankfully, OCD can be effectively treated with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. Many OCD sufferers can control their symptoms and enhance their quality of life with the right care. It is crucial that OCD sufferers get therapy from a mental health specialist who can provide a correct diagnosis.

Nafisa Obnee (23146069)