Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) causes distress with obsessive thoughts and repetitive compulsions. 

OCD severity varies, with some patients shows moderate symptoms. In severe cases, OCD is highly disable and classified as a serious mental illness. 

Obsessions include persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts, images cause anxiety or distress. 

Compulsions and rituals done to reduce anxiety from obsessive thoughts or rules. 

National Survey found 1.2% of US adults had OCD in the past year. The lifetime prevalence in US adults was 2.3%, higher in dermatology and cosmetic surgery. 

OCD rates consistent across races, but obsessions influenced with cultural and religious differences. 

OCD prevalence is equal in males and females, usually seen in males in childhood, and in females in their twenties. Women worsen OCD symptoms during premenstrual phase of periods. 

OCD is linked to dysregulation of the neurotransmitter serotonin as it is important in mood regulation.  

The striatum and other brain areas are home to anomalies in the dopamine system. Dopamine imbalance is one of the possibilities for the cause of illness shows typical obsessions and compulsions. 

the brain areas including the thalamus, cortex, and striatum, known as the CSTC circuit is connected to abnormalities in OCD. 

Since serotonin is involved in mood regulation, its modifications in activity may connected to the onset of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. 

Dopaminergic system disorders are present in the striatum and associated brain regions are connected to OCD.  

It is observed in OCD patients there is a change in brain shape and its function. There may be some disturbances in the early stages of brain development, which can be impacted by both genetic and environmental factors, is the start of OCD. 

People who are conscious of the nonsensical nature of their obsessions and obsessive actions might have a better outcome.  

It is more difficult to treat OCD when it combines with other mental health issues such as depression or other anxiety disorders. 

A good prognosis depends on the following treatment recommendations, which may include taking medicine and attending therapy sessions. People are more likely to see improvement if they actively participate in their treatment plan. 

OCD starts in childhood, younger children, and adulthood. 

General Observation 

Skin Examination 

Musculoskeletal Examination 

Neurological Examination 

Quick onset of severe OCD symptoms is rare but can happen due to major life stressors or trauma, causing distress. 

Family history and neurobiological abnormalities can impact OCD severity and symptoms in individuals with mental health disorders. 

OCD is a chronic illness treated in an outpatient setting with serotoninergic antidepressant medications. 

Patients in remission from symptoms using behavior therapy may not need medication, those who need therapy for relapses. 

Initial medications for obsessive-compulsive disorder include SSRIs and clomipramine, which inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. 

Treatment studies suggest norepinephrine’s role in OCD. The subset of patients improves more with combination of 5-HT and NE inhibition. 

Behavior therapy for OCD focuses on exposure and response prevention, where patients rank their triggers and are systematically exposed to them. 

Untreated comorbid conditions like depression or panic disorder can impede recovery to identify them can influence treatment decisions. 

Glutamatergic function modification may improve response in compulsions with topiramate. 

Psychiatry/Mental Health

Consistent routine creates predictability, control, reduces anxiety, compulsive behaviours for improved mental health. 

Organize spaces helps individuals with OCD, especially hoarding tendencies or cleanliness obsessions. 

Gradual exposure to anxiety triggers in controlled settings for therapeutic purposes. 

Proper education and awareness about OCD should be provided and its related causes, and how to stop it with management strategies. 

Appointments with a psychiatrist and preventing recurrence of disorder is an ongoing life-long effort. 

Psychiatry/Mental Health

• Clomipramine: It inhibits the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin in adrenergic and serotonergic neurons.   

Psychiatry/Mental Health

• Escitalopram: It increases serotonin levels to help regulate mood and anxiety. 
• Fluoxetine:  It inhibits presynaptic serotonin reuptake with minimal or no effect in the reuptake of norepinephrine. 
• Citalopram: It enhances serotonin activity due to selective reuptake inhibition at the neuronal membrane.  

Psychiatry/Mental Health

• Buspirone:  It is classified as an anxiolytic medication is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.  

Psychiatry/Mental Health

• Venlafaxine: It inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake to treat depression. 

Psychiatry/Mental Health

• Risperidone: It binds alpha1-adrenergic receptors to H1-histaminergic and alpha2-adrenergic receptors.  
• Lithium: It is an antipsychotic agent that is indicated for bipolar disorder. It influences the reuptake of serotonin or norepinephrine in cell membranes.  
• Haloperidol: 
• It blocks dopamine receptors and is used to augment SSRIs in patients with OCD. 

Psychiatry/Mental Health

Deep Brain Stimulation is used as severe OCD implants electrodes in brain regions to modulate neural activity. 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain regions. 

Psychiatry/Mental Health

In the diagnosis phase, evaluation of the nature and severity of obsessions and compulsions, related symptoms to confirm the diagnosis.  

Pharmacologic therapy is very effective in the treatment phase as it includes use of TCA, SSRI, antipsychotic agent and intervention. 

In supportive care and management phase, patients should receive required attention such as lifestyle modification and rehabilitation. 

The regular follow-up visits with the psychiatrist are schedule to check the improvement of patients along with treatment response.