How is an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnosed?

Many have heard about OCD. The acronym for OCD is an obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is a mental health disorder in which people begin having unwanted thoughts or ideas like an obsession. It makes them feel driven to do things compulsively or repeatedly.

Some compulsions include hand washing, counting things, double-checking the appliances, arranging things, accumulating old newspapers or empty food containers, and repeatedly checking if the door is locked.

Although this mental health disorder is not so harmful, you can visit your doctor for OCD treatment. You might be wondering about its diagnosis and treatment. Read on to know the causes of OCD, its diagnosis, and its treatments.

What are the causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

The cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder is unknown. Additionally, some studies state that communication problems between the deeper structures of the brain and the brain’s front part can lead to OCD. As per other research, you can inherit OCD and genes are partly responsible for developing this disorder.

Although people are unsure about the factors involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder, sometimes illnesses and stress can develop OCD. Some experts have studied that OCD developed in childhood can be different from that of adults. According to twin studies review, genes do play a massive role if OCD begins in childhood.

Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder

As mentioned earlier, OCD is an anxiety disorder that allows people to do things in compulsion, such as washing hands repeatedly, double-checking the switches and appliances, counting things, and so forth. Some people think that OCD is an illness, so the diagnosis should be a blood sample, X-ray, or other medical tests. But that’s not the diagnosis for this disorder.

If you experience any symptoms of this disorder, you must visit a psychologist or psychiatrist and be treated right away.  If your family doctor or nurse is an expert in treating mental health or anxiety disorders, you can visit and get your OCD treated. The mental health professionals will diagnose you with OCD by using their medical experience and judgments.

Your signs and symptoms may be consistent with OCD, and you must check if the mental health professionals utilize a structured clinical interview tool. So, what is this structured clinical interview?  Like any interview, a set of questions is prepared, and the mental health professionals will interview you.

But the questions in the interview are structured or standardized for every patient. You can also be asked about your mood or symptoms to ensure that you don’t have any severe psychological problems that must be addressed. Listening to mental health disorders or an anxiety disorder can bring more fear in you.

Also, you may not feel like opening up about any of the signs and symptoms. But if you want to get your OCD treated, then you must feel free to reveal even the most embarrassing details to your mental health professional.

If you don’t reveal such details, then your doctor or mental health professional won’t be able to diagnose you properly and give you the proper treatment. You can start by looking at some websites, online chat rooms, or message boards. Most of all, you can speak to your family members about it and go for a one-on-one meeting with a trained mental health professional.

How is obsessive-compulsive disorder treated?

The most effective OCD treatment is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or medication. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of CBT that is useful in treating OCD. Additionally, some medicines like serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SRIs help treat the disorder