Chennai Mind Clinic, Madipakkam Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a form of severe anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, known as obsessions, and repetitive behaviors, known as compulsions. These obsessions and compulsions can significantly interfere with daily life and cause distress. 1. Obsessions: These are intrusive and distressing thoughts, images, or urges that keep coming into a person's mind. Common obsessions include fears of contamination, harm to oneself or others, fears of making a mistake, or disturbing religious or sexual thoughts. Individuals with OCD often try to suppress or ignore these thoughts, which leads to increased anxiety. 2. Compulsions: Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that individuals with OCD feel compelled to perform to alleviate the anxiety caused by their obsessions. These actions are usually not connected realistically to preventing the feared event but are instead aimed at reducing anxiety. Common compulsions include excessive handwashing, checking, counting, arranging objects in a specific order, or repeating certain actions. OCD is a chronic condition that tends to worsen without proper treatment. It can significantly impact a person's ability to function in daily life, relationships, and work or school settings. Treatment for OCD typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and medications. 1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is the most effective form of psychotherapy for OCD. CBT involves Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which helps individuals gradually face their fears (exposure) and learn to resist performing their compulsions (response prevention). 2. Medication: Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are commonly prescribed to help manage OCD symptoms. These medications can help reduce the severity of obsessions and compulsions. At our clinic, we see several individuals with OCD having good adherence to treatment showing significant improvement. #OCD #bestpsychiatryclinic #alandur #guindy