What it’s like Wednesday: Living with OCD
Welcome to the world of OCD. In full terms Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The brain creates and obsession with something, a compulsion to something about it arises and a disorder is created. The biggest misunderstanding with regards to OCD is that people are scared of germs, this couldn't be more false.
But for a moment to explain the disorder, lets use germs as an example. *Ben accidental touches someone’s hand after the man covered his mouth while sneezing. Ben now feels as if those germs are on him. He rushes to a nearby restroom and washes his hand until he feels they are clean enough.
Now if it was *Anna, she would have gone to the restroom to wash her hands for example three times in a row. Opening and closing the tap three times. Wiping her hands with a towel three times. Opening and closing the restroom door three times before leaving.
Ben has a form of OCD in which he feels certain things are dangerous to him. This can include body fluid, dirty areas, a toilet seat and basically anything that he feel is unclean to him. This is followed by an action or compulsion that needs to be carried out in order to be “okay”.
Anna has a type of OCD that forces her to count her actions. This does not have to be involved with germs as in the example. This is a very time consuming form of OCD and asks a lot of patience for loved ones with the disorder. Something as simple as locking the door or turning the light of can become a challenge. Every person is different and has a different number. While Anna has to do everything in three’s, Steven might have to do it six times in a pattern.
Also read a previous article: Hoe dit is om met OCD te leef
Another form of OCD is counting. These individuals are obsedded with numbers. They will count the tiles and bricks in a room. Counting passing cars or even every step taken.
The last form to be discussed, but not the only ones that exist is order. Individuals with order OCD will have an obsession with everything being in perfect order. They will arrange stationary in perfect order, everything in their house will have a certain place, and if that object is moved, such a person might even suffer a panic attack and attempt to fix the order as soon as possible.
OCD is a time consuming mental illness. It is extremely difficult for those affected to lead a normal life, and for their loved ones to live in patience with them. So if you encounter someone with OCD, give them the time they need to go through their routine to enable them be feel okay again.
