Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterised by recurring irrational thoughts (obsessions) that produce anxiety and manifest in repetitive and ritualistic behaviours (compulsions), is among the top three mental disorders in Singapore. And its incidence is rising, having grown from 3 per cent of the population in 2010 to 3.6 per cent (about 1 in 28 people) in 2016.

However, a majority of individuals with OCD don’t seek professional help, according to the second Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS). While there’s no known way to prevent OCD, early treatment may prevent the condition from worsening.

OCD is a chronic mental disorder that can begin at any age, but its onset commonly occurs in the teenage or early adult years, often by the age of 19.

You are at greater risk of developing OCD if…

you have a family history of OCD, with a parent or sibling suffering from it

you have suffered physical/emotional abuse or trauma in childhood

Biological factors related to brain structure and functioning and childhood streptococcal infections have also been linked to OCD.

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What are the symptoms of OCD?

OCD symptoms may include obsessions and/or compulsions, and these may vary from mild to severe. They may come and go, and are likely to worsen during periods of high stress.

Common obsessions/compulsions are associated with:

Fear of germs, infection, contamination

Need for order and symmetry

Doubts related to personal safety

Desire for self-harm

Forbidden topics, e.g. sex, religion

An obsession may manifest as compulsive behaviour such as excessive cleaning, repeatedly washing your hands, constantly checking that the oven is turned off, arranging books in perfect order, repetitive counting, etc.

OCD may also be accompanied by other disorders, such as depression, body dysmorphic disorder (when you believe a part of your body is abnormal) and tics (sudden, brief, repetitive movements, such as eye blinking, head or shoulder jerking, grunting sounds).

If you have OCD symptoms and they are affecting the quality of your life, you should seek professional help.

How is OCD diagnosed and treated?

A mental health professional will diagnose OCD and prescribe medication or psychotherapy, or a combination of the two, to treat it.

Medication: This treatment option includes antidepressants such as clomipramine and newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine. These drugs may take several weeks to show results, and they may have side effects.

Psychotherapy: Exposure and response prevention (ERP), a type of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), has been found to be effective in treating OCD. It involves gradual exposure to the object of your obsession and learning coping mechanisms.

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