Abstract
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where people experience repeated, unwanted thoughts (Obsessions) and feel the need to perform certain things in order to reduce anxiety. It is often underdiagnosed and not always treated effectively. In this article we will look for the factors that contribute to OCD such as brain activity, personal experiences and environmental influences. We will discuss its ayurvedic aspect and its management.
Introduction
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental and behavioural disorder. In this condition individuals have unwanted thoughts (Obsession) and feel like they have to do certain actions or routines (Compulsons) over and over again to feel better or reduce anxiety. These repeated behaviours can take up so much time and energy that they interfere with daily life and normal functioning.
Types
OCD can show up in different ways, and there are few common types of obsession and compulsions that people experience. Here are some example:
- Contamination OCD: People with this type worry about germs, dirt, or being contaminated in some ways. They may feel the need to wash their hands excessively or avoid touching things.
- Checking OCD: this type involves repeated checking, like making sure the door is locked, the stove is off, or the window is closed. People do this because they fear something bad will happen.
- Symmetry and ordering OCD: Individuals with this type feel the need to arrange certain things in certain order. They may spend hours aligning objects in order and can feel distressed if things are out of place.
- Intrusive Thoughts OCD: This type involves unwanted and disturbing thoughts or images, like fears of harming someone, inappropriate thoughts or being violent people with this type usually feel distressed with these thoughts and may try to push thesis thoughts away.
- Hoarding OCD: This type involves struggling with discarding items, even if they are useless or take up a lot of space. The thought of throwing this away gives them anxiety.
- Mental Compulsion OCD: In this type, compulsions are not physical. They are more about mental actions. In this type of OCD people may count, Pray, or repeat phrases in their mind to reduce anxiety related to their obsession.
Some other types of OCD are:
- Fear of Harm OCD: In this type of OCD people obsess over the possibility of harming themselves or others, even though they have no intention to do so. This can lead to compulsive behaviours like checking or avoiding certain activities to ensure no harm comes to anyone
- Religious or Moral OCD (Scrupulosity): This type involves intense worry about religious or moral behaviour. Individuals may feel they are violating religious rules, have sinful thoughts or are morally bad leading to compulsion like excessive praying, confessing or seeking reassurance.
- Relationship OCD (ROCD): In ROCD people doubt their partner, relationship, or their feelings for them. They may constantly question whether they truly love their partner or worry if their partner truly loves them, leading to compulsions like seeking reassurance or overthinking the relationship.
- Existential OCD: This type involves obsessive thoughts about the meaning of life, the universe, or one’s existence. People may feel trapped in endless questioning and experience anxiety over the uncertainty of life, often performing mental rituals to seek clarity or avoid distressing thoughts.
- Health OCD (Hypochondria): People with health-related OCD worry excessively about their health, believing they are ill or will become sick, even if there is no evidence to support these fears. Compulsions may include frequent doctor visits, researching symptoms, or excessive monitoring of one’s body.
- Body Dysmorphic OCD: This involves obsessive concerns about perceived flaws or defects in appearance, even when others don’t notice anything wrong. People might frequently check their appearance in mirrors, or seek cosmetic procedures to “fix” what they believe is a flaw.
- Superstitious OCD: Some individuals with OCD may develop superstitions around certain numbers, colors, or events, feeling like something bad will happen if they don’t perform a specific action or ritual. This can also involve avoiding certain things due to irrational fears.
- Mathematical or Numerical OCD: This type focuses on obsessive thoughts about numbers, such as needing to count, add, or arrange things in specific numeric sequences. There might be a belief that something bad will happen if things don’t add up or align just right.
- Perfectionism OCD: While perfectionism is common in OCD, it can be particularly pronounced in this type. People with perfectionism OCD may obsess over doing things “perfectly” and engage in repetitive actions or mental checking to ensure everything is just right, often causing significant distress when things are imperfect.
Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The exact cause of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) isn’t fully understood, but several factors are believed to play a role in its development. Here are some of the main potential causes :
- Genetics
- Brain structure and functions
- Neurotransmitters
- Environmental facts
- Cognitive factors
- Infections (PANDAS)
- Trauma and Stress
- Personality Factors
- Learned behaviours
Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
People with OCD often feel compelled to perform certain rituals to reduce anxiety caused by the obsession. Here are some common symptoms :
Obsession Symptoms
- Fear of contamination
- Doubting with uncertainty
- Needing things to be orderly
- Aggressive thoughts
- Intense stress when objects aren’t orderly or facing a certain way
- Unpleasant sexual images
- Staying away from situations that can cause obsession such as hand shaking
Compulsive Symptoms
- Washing hands until the skin become Raw
- Checking doors again and again to make sure they are locked
- Counting in certain pattern
- Silently repeating a prayer or a phrase
- Arranging canned goods to face the same way
Diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The diagnostic criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). To be diagnosed with OCD, an individual must meet certain criteria. Here’s a breakdown of those criteria:
Obsessions
- Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted, and that cause significant anxiety or distress.
- These thoughts might involve fears of contamination, harming others, or fears of making a mistake, for example.
- The individual attempts to ignore or suppress these thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action (e.g., performing a compulsion).
Compulsions
- Repetitive behaviors (e.g., handwashing, checking) or mental acts (e.g., counting, praying) that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rigid rules.
- The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts are not connected in a realistic way to the event they are meant to prevent, or are clearly excessive.
Time-Consuming or Clinically Significant Distress or Impairment
- The obsessions or compulsions cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (e.g., taking up hours a day, interfering with work or relationships).
Not Due to Substance or Medical Condition
- The symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition (e.g., a neurological condition).
Not Better Explained by Another Mental Disorder
- The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, or another condition where obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors might be present.
Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Treatment helps people function better in school, work, relationships and leisure activities.
Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of CBT that’s very effective for OCD.
- How it works:
- Patients face their feared situations (like touching something they think is dirty) but are not allowed to perform their usual rituals (like washing their hands).
- Over time, they realize their fears are just thoughts and don’t lead to bad outcomes.
- The goal is to reduce anxiety without relying on rituals.
- How it’s done:
- The therapist and patient create a step-by-step plan to gradually expose the patient to more challenging situations.
- These exposures happen both in therapy and at home, with the therapist guiding the process.
Ayurvedic Overview
According to Ayurveda, It is grossly correlated with a condition called Atatva Abhinivesha. ‘Atatva’ means ‘Non-existent’, Abhinivesha means ‘Stubborn’. So Atatvaabhinivesha collectively refers to a condition where the person believes in all factors which do not exist or which are in fact not correct.
Herbal Remedies for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) by Planet Ayurveda
Planet ayurveda is a company that specialises in producing and selling Ayurvedic products. They focus on natural and herbal solutions for various health issues. Their formulation is based on the principles of Ayurveda. All their formulations are prepared under the supervision of MD (Ayurveda) scholars. Planet Ayurveda is known for its remedies that are made from plant based ingredients. They use high quality herbs and thor formulations are 100% pure, chemical free and are safe to use. They also focus on Research and quality control. Brain care pack is one of their formulations that helps in conditions like OCD.
- Brahmi Capsules
- Gotu Kola Capsules
- Neuro Plan Syrup
- Boswellia Curcumin
- Ashwagandha Capsules
Brain Care Pack
Products Description
1. Brahmi Capsules
This capsule is standardised pure extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). It has cognitive, stress management properties. It also helps in mental clarity. It is commonly recommended for improving memory, concentration and reducing Anxiety. With all these properties it is very beneficial in OCD.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules two times a day with warm water after a meal.
2. Gotu Kola Capsules
This capsule is a standardised pure extract of Mandookparni (Centella asiatica). It has Cognitive functions and helps in stress management. It is considered in conditions like Anxiety, Depression and other mental health conditions. Thus, it is really helpful in conditions like OCD.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules two times a day with lukewarm water after a meal.
3. Neuro Plan Syrup
This herbal Syrup is made from pure extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra) etc. All the herbs present in this syrup help to support brain health and mental health. These herbs have adaptogenic properties meaning they can help the body to manage stress and anxiety.
Dosage: 2-3 tsp two times a day after a meal.
4. Boswellia Curcumin
This capsule is a pure extract of two herbs i.e Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). OCD is linked with Neuroinflammation and shallaki helps to reduce inflammation. It has calming properties and helps to support brain health thus it is effective in OCD.
Dosage: 1 capsule two times a day with lukewarm water after a meal.
5. Ashwagandha Capsules
This capsule is a pure extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). It helps to balance tridosha and helps to sustain healthy neurological health. It is known for its Adaptogenic and stress relieving properties. It is often referred to as a super herb due to its potential to help the body to adapt to stress. It is used in conditions like stress and mental health issues and conditions like OCD.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules two times a day with warm water after a meal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, managing OCD works best with a combination of different treatments. The main treatment includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and some medications. Ayurveda also helps by offering natural remedies by planet ayurveda’s brain care pack and panchakarma therapies and with practices like meditation and yoga. These can help to reduce anxiety, improve focus and support mental health.
