WorldExecutivesDigest.com | Are you a neat freak or have OCD? | These days, many people have started to use the term OCD for their day to day activities and the way they like to have their things or work done. OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder with symptoms that many of us may be seeing but does that mean we are suffering from OCD?
ust like other mental disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc., OCD starts to show symptoms which are hard to recognize in the beginning because they seem like usual feelings but if the patient does not get proper OCD treatment, it may cause serious damage to the quality of life and may also cost important relationships.
Some symptoms of OCD may just be being habitual or strict about following certain daily routines or keeping things in perfect order, but things may start to bring about feelings of anxiety if OCD develops into further stages.
MORE ABOUT OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
There are various ways that the human mind can be dysfunctional. These are various ways in which mental illness may manifest in the individual. Since our mind controls our thoughts, physical health, emotions, etc., there is a lot that can go wrong.
There may be mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder. These are the mental disorders in which the mood and emotions of the individual are affected and the person begins to have trouble in managing them.
There may be eating disorders an individual faces in which the person may develop unhealthy eating habits and patterns. There may be personality disorders like dissociative identity disorder or even psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.
The most common form of mental disorders is anxiety disorders. These make a person experience bouts of panic or anxiety in various situations and if unchecked, this anxiety may begin to show up as physical ailments too.
For example blood pressure, heart-related diseases, nausea, etc. OCD disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder that is very common in young people these days. It may last for a long time, in some cases for the whole life of the individual.
It is very important to keep these symptoms in check for a healthy life and social relations. OCD mostly begins with slight symptoms or compulsions that a person feels the need to do. This may be as simple as keeping everything symmetrically on their table or being very strict about the cleanliness in their personal surroundings.
Sounds like not a big deal, but if these symptoms develop into a serious condition, then the individual may need proper OCD treatment to help with this mental condition. The treatment may be as simple as talking to a counselor or seeing a therapist.
This can be helpful in the starting stages of the disorder but if kept unchecked for a very long time, the individual may need to see a psychiatrist and start intaking medicines.
NEAT FREAK VS OCD
OCD may develop in various ways. A person may tend to experience compulsions related to cleaning their surroundings, they may want to keep checking their doors at night and be extra careful about carrying their wallets or belongings before leaving their house.
They may tend to be strict about keeping in order and arranging their belongings in certain patterns or adhering to the rules of symmetry. Generally, people tend to confuse being neat and organized with having OCD.
The internal desire to keep things and the surroundings clean, checking things for that extra assurance, or being careful about the way our things are placed around us has very little to do with OCD.
A person who is suffering from OCD, not only experiences compulsions to be neat, organized, or careful, the main difference between them and regular neat freaks is the feeling of helplessness.
In simple words, a person who is a neat freak may for a day or two leave their habits behind but people suffering from OCD feel like they have no choice but to follow their compulsions.
It becomes impossible for a person suffering from OCD to not clean their surroundings, be careful, or keep things in order. If they try to ignore these compulsions and recurring thoughts, they may start to feel anxious or troubled.
OCD is a serious mental disorder that requires proper attention. Therapy and counseling can help in many early stages.
So if one starts to experience any unwanted recurring thoughts or compulsions that they feel difficult to ignore, one must seek professional help before the situation gets serious and hinders the day-to-day routines of their lives, degrading the quality of living or costing them important social relationships.