Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Dr Anuja Kelkar Generally anxiety is very common issue and people many times complaint about the same. Many times it happens that you feel nervous or tension at work place or when you have to make some important decision. Anxiety is a multifaceted emotional state characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, and unease. It can manifest in various forms, ranging from mild apprehension to overwhelming panic.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)- Symptoms

Obsessions:

  • Fear of contamination or germs
  • Excessive concern with order, symmetry, or exactness
  • Intrusive thoughts about harming oneself or others
  • Disturbing sexual or aggressive thoughts
  • Excessive doubts or uncertainty
  • Preoccupation with religion, superstitions or morality

Complusions

  • Excessive cleaning, hand washing, or sanitizing
  • Repeatedly checking things (e.g., locks, switches, appliances, etc.)
  • Counting or arranging objects in a specific way
  • Repeating certain phrases or prayers silently
  • Mental rituals, such as repeating a certain word or phrase in one's mind
  • Hoarding unnecessary items
OCD can significantly interfere with daily activities and relationships, and cause significant distress and anxiety. It is important to seek professional help if you think you may be experiencing symptoms of OCD.

Anxiety Disorder

Sometimes anxiety is very common and normally can be part of life. But when anxiety affects day to day activities then some Medical opinion is necessary. Anxiety disorder involves more than temporary fear or worry. The symptoms can interfere in normal daily activities such as performance at workplace, educational work and sometimes in relationship also.Anxiety Disorder can be of following types :
  • General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder

People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) have excessive worry, tension and imbalance of health. Generally many time repetitive complaints about health, work related problems, problems while meeting with people. People having regular health issues are sometimes called as Illness anxiety disorder. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms include :

  • Being easily fatigued,
  • calf muscle pain,
  • Throat issues,
  • Difficulty in controlling tensions,
  • Continuous irritableness,
  • Sleep problems such as failing asleep or unsatisfying sleep,
  • Concentration issues
People with Social Anxiety disorder (SAD) have a fear of social situations or interaction with Society. They are generally worried about behavior associated with their anxiety and they themselves consider part presentation in front of Society. This feeling makes them embarrassed and low esteem which eventually leads to less outside interaction. Social Anxiety disorder can also be recognized as Social Phobia. There is misconception about Separation Anxiety Disorder that it is often observed in children only but this is not significantly true. In broad way, this is defined as phenomenon in which people have threat that they will get separate from their close people and which will affect their entire life.

Panic Attacks (Panic Disorder)

People with Panic disorder have recurrent unexpected panic attacks. Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear that come on quickly and reach their peak within minutes. Panic attacks can occur unexpectedly or can be brought on by a trigger, such as a feared object or situation. During a panic attack, people may experience:
  • Heart palpitations, a pounding heartbeat, or an accelerated heart rate
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Sensations of shortness of breath, smothering, or choking
  • Feelings of impending doom
  • Feelings of being out of control

Phobia

Phobia is nothing but a special fear about anything.Generally people with Phobia are having tremendous fear about some conceptual or hypothetical situation which can be of any type like flying in Air, dogs, receiving injections. Social Anxiety disorder can also be recognized as Social Phobia.

Other Anxiety Related Issues

Kleptomania

The Kleptomania is a serious mental health disorder which is the recurrent inability to resist urges to steal items that you generally don’t need.

Conversion Disorder

The Conversion disorder may occur because of a psychological conflict. Conversion disorder can present with sensory symptoms including any of the following
  • Improper balance
  • Weakness/paralysis of a limb or the entire body (hysterical paralysis )
  • Impairment or loss of speech (hysterical aphonia)
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or a sensation of a lump in the throat
  • Urinary retention
  • Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures or convulsions
  • Loss of consciousness (Fainting)

Pyromania

An obsessive desire to set fire to things