Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Surely you have heard more than once about OCD (or obsessive-compulsive disorder). However, the information that appears referring to this condition can give rise to certain confusions that arise in the course of life. Do we really know what OCD is? does anyone have OCD? Does OCD develop in the same way in all people who are diagnosed?

These types of questions can guide us to think a little more deeply about the subject of OCD. If you want more information on the subject, in this Psychology-Online article we will provide you with information about whether a person with OCD can be dangerous.

Index

1. How serious can OCD be?
2. What happens in the brain of a person with OCD
3. How does a person with OCD suffer?
4. How does OCD affect personal relationships?

The obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a clinical condition that is related to the presence of a series of thoughts, actions and rituals that are carried out repetitively. According to the DSM-V

• Intrusive thoughts and images that generate anxiety.
• The person tries to avoid or eliminate these thoughts and/or actions.
• The person experiences unpleasant sensations related to these actions and/or thoughts.
• Duration of six months or more.
• Deterioration of work, social and family relationships due to thoughts, actions and/or rituals.
• The alterations of this disorder cannot be explained by the presence of some other mental disorder. and/or the ingestion of any substance.

The presence of any of these symptoms in isolation does not necessarily mean that we are facing a clinical picture of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Diagnosis must be made by a health professionalmental that evaluates the characteristics of each person.

The intensity of OCD can vary depending on the patient's personality. In this sense, factors such as personal history, gender, family history or pre-existing diseases can determine the severity of OCD. In addition, the symptoms of this disorder can affect the development of daily life.

Why does OCD occur? Despite the fact that environmental situations are related to the appearance of OCD symptoms, it must be taken into account that the origin of this disorder may be linked to neuronal alterations. According to various investigations, it has been determined that there is a disconnection between neurons that are housed in the primary sensory cortices, such as visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory and somatosensory, with respect to near and far neuronal groups.

These facts could explain the behaviors and thoughts that develop in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

When in doubt as to whether a person with OCD is dangerous, you should know that her symptoms cause a high degree of suffering, but that does not affect the individuals around her. The actions, thoughts and routines that he performs do not give him pleasure, quite the opposite. Still, the paradox is that compulsions produce a feeling of anxiety, anguish, stress or irritability, among others.

Next, we will show you how OCD affects the quality of life of affected people:

• Deterioration in social relationships.
• Loss of social activities.
• Retreat.
• Lack of interest in recreational activities.
• Avoidance of social situations.
• Skin diseases, eg dermatitis.

The symptomatology of OCD makes it difficult to develop personal relationships. One of the drawbacks that people with obsessive-compulsive disorder encounter is that often judge them for their obsessive actions. As an example, there are patients with OCD who obsessed with cleanliness and order, which causes them to have a tendency to demand that others comply with their same routines.

If you have a conflict with someone with OCD, it is important to remind them that they should see a mental health professional when their obsessions prevent them from functioning in their daily lives.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Can a person with OCD be dangerous?, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.

1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington: Pan American Medical Publisher.

• Bados, A. (2017). Obsessive compulsive disorder. University of Barcelona. Faculty of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology.
• Navarro Bayon, D. (2004). Characteristics and treatment of treatment-resistant obsessive disorder. Psychothema Magazine, 16 (2), 241-247.