I am neither a doctor nor a therapist but I would like to write about OCD because I encountered this daily past few months !
OCD : Obsessive Compulsion disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an illness that causes people to have unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and to repeat certain behaviors (compulsions) over and over again. We all have habits and routines in our daily lives, such as brushing our teeth before bed. However, for people with OCD, patterns of behavior get in the way of their daily lives.
Most people with OCD know that their obsessions and compulsions make no sense, but they can't ignore or stop them.
There are many websites which can be referred for more details on OCD.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/anxiety/133.html
Reason for cause ?
No specific reason but it is said that it is caused due to the chemicals in the nerves which carry messages in the brain. One of the chemical is serotonin. Lack of this chemical is the cause of these unwanted thoughts. Medication helps increase the level of this chemical which stop the unwanted thoughts.
The story that follows is about my friend, Pawas whom I am getting to know better every day since past 6 months.Pawas is a wonderful person who possess a heart of gold. He is different ! He is unlike us ! as he is always smiling and comes across to everyone as a very happy person.Not only he is happy, he leaves no stone unturned to break you into laughter even in the most gloomy times. He spreads happiness around. He can be an inspiration for so many to live.He values life. He can make you feel special. He wants to enjoy life and go across to all possible places in the world.
The reality still remains that he has a disorder and we are not sensitive enough to understand people like him.And this is very saddening !
Do we also have this disorder ?
Pawas comes across as an very ordinary person. You cannot make out looking at him that he is suffering from any illness or disorder unless he tells you.In fact, he would have to explain you for you to understand.
Trust me, if you have patience to hear him out, many of us can connect to him.I believe and also have come to know, we all repeat behavior and compulsions sometimes unknowingly.
I have told about his disorder to so many people and they came back saying that they also do so many things which he does.Few of the activities we may be doing : Touch a certain object several times, while driving avoid a particular route etc. An aggravated form of this is OCD. On a scale of 10 to measure OCD if, he can be ranked at 7-8 then we can be rated at 2-3,
You may take a questionnaire !!!
(Will give the link soon)
How it started ?
It stepped in his life quietly when he was in 9th standard and it has grown manifolds over the years.It started with behavior disorder and today he is lost in performing rituals to curb his unwanted thoughts, obsessions and compulsions.Trying hard each day to live life like a normal person. But he fails !
To ward off unwanted thoughts, today he survives on 350 mg expensive medicine which makes him drowsy and sleepy all the time.He also suffers with strong neck pain and still manages to laugh.
Initially it was fear of contamination. In school at the sight of used syringes across the road, he used to think extreme of being suffering from AIDS.
Before entering in the house, in order to free himself from bacteria , he used to take out all clothes in the garden and take bath with a pipe and then enter the house. Entered the house in night so that no one can see him taking bath.
With time it increased, and now he performs rituals.
Obsession : Obsessions are ideas, images and impulses that run through the person's mind over and over again.
Compulsion : Obsessive thoughts make people who have OCD feel nervous and afraid. They try to get rid of these feelings by performing certain behaviors according to "rules" that they make up for themselves.
Rituals : Compulsive behaviors are sometimes also called rituals.
It’s all in the mind !
1. Restless – Gets up in early in morning with a running thoughts that why is he wasting time in sleeping and he should do something.
2. Early morning a normal person remembers God. He also tries to start the day with a thought of God and Goddess . But his mind is inundated with malicious thoughts. He sees dead beings, meat, war scenes etc.
3. Taking bath, sees blood.
4. He is always seen wearing rubber chappals – so that he can wash his legs over and over again at any place he goes. This is to free himself from bacterias.
5. He wears old clothes because each time he thinks to get new clothes for himself, the thought prevents him to do so. The thought leaves him threatened by posing questions like – Pawas, is buying new clothes so important ? If you buy it , there would be a serious *problem in house.
6. Locks the door, go away. Come back again to open it and lock again as thoughts provoked him or we can say threatened him if he does not reopen and lock again something would go wrong again.
7. Crossing the road – we all cross the road when the traffic is thin. He also wants to follow the same but the moment he steps out, the unwanted thoughts floods his mind. These thoughts are against him. They stop him to cross and provoke him to cross when the traffic is heavy. If he had crossed earlier, the thought conveys some.
8. On the road if he sees anything lying, he jumps or take few forward and then backward steps , whatever the mind directs him to do.
9. He has back ache because he cannot buy table chair because of his thoughts. The moment he think of buying the table & chair, the thoughts come that if you buy this someone in family will die or some accident or any other horrible thought. So he is never able to buy a table & chair. Stooping to work on the computer on the ground, he has developed a chronic neck ache issue.
10. Sight of any unpleasant picture in a news paper disturbs him.
11. Looking at the aquarium he sees not the fishes but pieces of meat.
12. Brushing teeth, over and over again to draw out germs.
13. One day we didn’t eat pastries as planned, because he believed that the bad thought would turn into reality. Specially that bad thought which came in his mind when he made the plan.
14. At the sight of frozen vegetables in the freezer ran away. On asking he told that he say his family meber frozen in it.
15. While talking he keep saying – ‘Nothing will happen to anyone’ or some other words as if someone is stopping him to say what he wants to say but still before the thought comes , he shouts and take a promise on some family member. I once asked him, why he has to say from mouth then he told me speaking is quicker than replacing a thought with a thought to fight it.
These thought are quick, back-to-back, flooding. They come 24 hours. Imagine the life of a person with this disorder.
Even if he tries to be normal and happy. Something questions him from within that how can he be so happy.
Our general reaction
- Designate as ‘Mad’
- Scold for any reason
- People taking money not returning
- Making him pay
- Stay away, we will also become like you.
- Calling him to parties for entertainment
- Keeping the room dirty
- Using his things
Therapies in NIMHANS & Our responsibility
He undergoes behavioral therapies at NIMHANS. Subsequent to his discussion with me , I am made to believe that though he goes for weekly therapies but these therapies have given birth to a new myriad of imagination in whose labyrinth he has become even more transfixed. While there is no sure shot treatment for the disorder, there are certain expensive laser treatments but with no guarantee and permanency.
If you are able to understand even an iota amount of the gravity of the situation, I urge you to be a little sensitive, compassionate , tolerant with these people. This will make life easier for them.
In case, you are in contact with any such person, you may try to mentor him/her and help combat the disorder. All over the world there are millions of people suffering from this. They have formed support groups and help each other in their thinking process. In India, we are yet not aware of the issue and patients suffer in all walks of life. So please be aware and reach out to render a helping hand!!!
Please be supportive towards the cause.
Thank God each moment, for he blessed us with a healthy mind !
Movie
We have shot a movie to promote awareness about OCD.
OCD : Obsessive Compulsion disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an illness that causes people to have unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and to repeat certain behaviors (compulsions) over and over again. We all have habits and routines in our daily lives, such as brushing our teeth before bed. However, for people with OCD, patterns of behavior get in the way of their daily lives.
Most people with OCD know that their obsessions and compulsions make no sense, but they can't ignore or stop them.
There are many websites which can be referred for more details on OCD.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/anxiety/133.html
Reason for cause ?
No specific reason but it is said that it is caused due to the chemicals in the nerves which carry messages in the brain. One of the chemical is serotonin. Lack of this chemical is the cause of these unwanted thoughts. Medication helps increase the level of this chemical which stop the unwanted thoughts.
The story that follows is about my friend, Pawas whom I am getting to know better every day since past 6 months.Pawas is a wonderful person who possess a heart of gold. He is different ! He is unlike us ! as he is always smiling and comes across to everyone as a very happy person.Not only he is happy, he leaves no stone unturned to break you into laughter even in the most gloomy times. He spreads happiness around. He can be an inspiration for so many to live.He values life. He can make you feel special. He wants to enjoy life and go across to all possible places in the world.
The reality still remains that he has a disorder and we are not sensitive enough to understand people like him.And this is very saddening !
Do we also have this disorder ?
Pawas comes across as an very ordinary person. You cannot make out looking at him that he is suffering from any illness or disorder unless he tells you.In fact, he would have to explain you for you to understand.
Trust me, if you have patience to hear him out, many of us can connect to him.I believe and also have come to know, we all repeat behavior and compulsions sometimes unknowingly.
I have told about his disorder to so many people and they came back saying that they also do so many things which he does.Few of the activities we may be doing : Touch a certain object several times, while driving avoid a particular route etc. An aggravated form of this is OCD. On a scale of 10 to measure OCD if, he can be ranked at 7-8 then we can be rated at 2-3,
You may take a questionnaire !!!
(Will give the link soon)
How it started ?
It stepped in his life quietly when he was in 9th standard and it has grown manifolds over the years.It started with behavior disorder and today he is lost in performing rituals to curb his unwanted thoughts, obsessions and compulsions.Trying hard each day to live life like a normal person. But he fails !
To ward off unwanted thoughts, today he survives on 350 mg expensive medicine which makes him drowsy and sleepy all the time.He also suffers with strong neck pain and still manages to laugh.
Initially it was fear of contamination. In school at the sight of used syringes across the road, he used to think extreme of being suffering from AIDS.
Before entering in the house, in order to free himself from bacteria , he used to take out all clothes in the garden and take bath with a pipe and then enter the house. Entered the house in night so that no one can see him taking bath.
With time it increased, and now he performs rituals.
Obsession : Obsessions are ideas, images and impulses that run through the person's mind over and over again.
Compulsion : Obsessive thoughts make people who have OCD feel nervous and afraid. They try to get rid of these feelings by performing certain behaviors according to "rules" that they make up for themselves.
Rituals : Compulsive behaviors are sometimes also called rituals.
It’s all in the mind !
1. Restless – Gets up in early in morning with a running thoughts that why is he wasting time in sleeping and he should do something.
2. Early morning a normal person remembers God. He also tries to start the day with a thought of God and Goddess . But his mind is inundated with malicious thoughts. He sees dead beings, meat, war scenes etc.
3. Taking bath, sees blood.
4. He is always seen wearing rubber chappals – so that he can wash his legs over and over again at any place he goes. This is to free himself from bacterias.
5. He wears old clothes because each time he thinks to get new clothes for himself, the thought prevents him to do so. The thought leaves him threatened by posing questions like – Pawas, is buying new clothes so important ? If you buy it , there would be a serious *problem in house.
6. Locks the door, go away. Come back again to open it and lock again as thoughts provoked him or we can say threatened him if he does not reopen and lock again something would go wrong again.
7. Crossing the road – we all cross the road when the traffic is thin. He also wants to follow the same but the moment he steps out, the unwanted thoughts floods his mind. These thoughts are against him. They stop him to cross and provoke him to cross when the traffic is heavy. If he had crossed earlier, the thought conveys some.
8. On the road if he sees anything lying, he jumps or take few forward and then backward steps , whatever the mind directs him to do.
9. He has back ache because he cannot buy table chair because of his thoughts. The moment he think of buying the table & chair, the thoughts come that if you buy this someone in family will die or some accident or any other horrible thought. So he is never able to buy a table & chair. Stooping to work on the computer on the ground, he has developed a chronic neck ache issue.
10. Sight of any unpleasant picture in a news paper disturbs him.
11. Looking at the aquarium he sees not the fishes but pieces of meat.
12. Brushing teeth, over and over again to draw out germs.
13. One day we didn’t eat pastries as planned, because he believed that the bad thought would turn into reality. Specially that bad thought which came in his mind when he made the plan.
14. At the sight of frozen vegetables in the freezer ran away. On asking he told that he say his family meber frozen in it.
15. While talking he keep saying – ‘Nothing will happen to anyone’ or some other words as if someone is stopping him to say what he wants to say but still before the thought comes , he shouts and take a promise on some family member. I once asked him, why he has to say from mouth then he told me speaking is quicker than replacing a thought with a thought to fight it.
These thought are quick, back-to-back, flooding. They come 24 hours. Imagine the life of a person with this disorder.
Even if he tries to be normal and happy. Something questions him from within that how can he be so happy.
Our general reaction
- Designate as ‘Mad’
- Scold for any reason
- People taking money not returning
- Making him pay
- Stay away, we will also become like you.
- Calling him to parties for entertainment
- Keeping the room dirty
- Using his things
Therapies in NIMHANS & Our responsibility
He undergoes behavioral therapies at NIMHANS. Subsequent to his discussion with me , I am made to believe that though he goes for weekly therapies but these therapies have given birth to a new myriad of imagination in whose labyrinth he has become even more transfixed. While there is no sure shot treatment for the disorder, there are certain expensive laser treatments but with no guarantee and permanency.
If you are able to understand even an iota amount of the gravity of the situation, I urge you to be a little sensitive, compassionate , tolerant with these people. This will make life easier for them.
In case, you are in contact with any such person, you may try to mentor him/her and help combat the disorder. All over the world there are millions of people suffering from this. They have formed support groups and help each other in their thinking process. In India, we are yet not aware of the issue and patients suffer in all walks of life. So please be aware and reach out to render a helping hand!!!
Please be supportive towards the cause.
Thank God each moment, for he blessed us with a healthy mind !
Movie
We have shot a movie to promote awareness about OCD.
You can watch the movie online on www.youtube.com ( its availabe in 3 parts )
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYmFAxc8B5I
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYmFAxc8B5I
The link to the movie is also posted on the below blog link.
Summary and some testimonial of the movie are available at the below website.
http://jeevika09.wordpress.com/jeevika-documentary-entries/42ocd-a-mass-disorder/
http://jeevika09.wordpress.com/jeevika-documentary-entries/42ocd-a-mass-disorder/
Disclaimer
I have not used *severe words in the story to showcase the thoughts.But * denotes the worst.
