Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Five signs that may be indicative of the illness!

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: It has become a common thing to experience someone making remarks on another about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in jest, often not realizing that the person may actually be suffering from something serious. You probably may have made fun of it yourself, unintentionally, of course.

OCD is a genuine mental illness and should not be treated or taken lightly. This in no way means that a person suffering from the illness is crazy.

Wikipedia defines OCD as “a mental disorder, where people feel the need to check things repeatedly, perform certain routines repeatedly (called "rituals"), or have certain thoughts repeatedly. People are unable to control either the thoughts or the activities for more than a short period of time.”

It can have a profound impact on someone’s life, and in some cases, it is even considered debilitating. Most people are familiar with a few habits and practices that may be an indication of approaching OCD tendencies, however, there are certain patterns that have been observed in those with OCD.

Check out 5 such signs that point towards obsessive compulsive disorder!

1. Washing hands:

This is one of the most common routines that a person suffering from OCD tends to have, which is probably why you might already be aware of it. The fear of germs becomes an overshadowing factor and the only way for them to avoid contamination is to wash hands or use a hand sanitizer excessively. Feeling that your hands are not “clean enough” after having just washed them may be an indicator of OCD.

2. Cleaning up:

The fear of germs can also push a person towards cleaning their surroundings on a more frequent basis than normal. If you try to stop a person's habit of cleaning their surroundings obsessively, they feel extreme anxiety and distress, which is a major indication of OCD.

3. Checking on things obsessively:

Of course, we all check on things, no big deal. It's a common thing to try and remember whether you switched off the lights before leaving the house, or locked the doors of your car after entering the house, etc. But, for people suffering with OCD will obsess about it and keep on checking everything even after double verification.

4. Counting:

Counting the number of steps taken, number of stairs climbed, number of tiles on the floor, etc., is also a trait you can observe in someone possibly suffering from OCD. They may also believe that they, or someone else will be harmed if they don’t abide by the “rules” they have established for themselves that involve counting.

5. Relationship problems:

People suffering with OCD are osessive even in relationships, irrespective of the nature. Obsessing about every tiny detail of the relationship and perceiving that the tiniest gesture or insignificant comment is an indicator of a major problem with it often results in the bond being short-lived. This can also lead the sufferer to think of themselves as unworthy of being in relationships.