Obsessive
Compulsive
Disorder (OCD)
Presented by:
Sana Ahmed (40)
Sahar Khalil (19)
Azwaar Ahmad (47)
Mansoor Ali (17)
Abdul Rehman (20)
Table of contents
01 02 03 04
Types Impacts Causes
Introduction
05 06 07 08
Risk Prevention Conclusion
Treatment
Factors
01.
Introduction
What is an
OCD?
Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder
(OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder
marked by uncontrollable and recurring thoughts
(obsessions), repetitive and excessive behaviors
(compulsions), or both. OCD symptoms can begin
any time but usually start between late childhood
and young adulthood.
Key Features:
• Obsessions: Persistent, distressing
thoughts, images, or urges.
• Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or
mental acts performed to reduce
anxiety caused by obsessions
Prevalence:
Affects approximately 1-2% of the global
population, regardless of age, gender, or
culture.
OBSESSION SYMPTOMS
Fear of being contaminated by touching objects
1 others have touched.
Doubts that you've locked the door or turned off the
2 stove.
Intense stress when objects aren't orderly or facing a
3 certain way
4 Images of driving your car into a crowd of people.
Thoughts about shouting obscenities or not acting the
5 right way in public.
Staying away from situations that can cause
6 obsessions, such as shaking hands.
COMPULSION SYMPTOMS
1 Hand-washing until your skin becomes raw.
Checking doors over and over again to make sure
2 they're locked.
Checking the stove over and over again to make sure
3 it's off.
4 Counting in certain patterns.
5 Silently repeating a prayer, word or phrase.
6 Trying to replace a bad thought with a good thought.
7 Arranging your canned goods to face the same way.
TYPES
Contaminati Checkin
on OCD g OCD
Symmetry and Hoardin
Ordering OCD g OCD
TYPES
Intrusive
Thought
s OCD
Ruminatio
n OCD
Contamination OCD
characterized by an excessive and irrational fear of being contaminated
by germs, dirt, or other substances, leading to compulsive behaviors
like excessive handwashing or cleaning to alleviate anxiety caused by
these intrusive thoughts about potential contamination.
Contamination OCD (cont)
Contamination-related OCD can manifest in different ways, including:
• living with fear of being exposed to sources of contamination.
• experiencing high levels of distress when you encounter
contaminants. discarding items you perceive to be contaminated.
• engaging in excessive cleaning rituals.
• avoiding going to places where you might encounter contaminants.
• avoiding experiences you think might “contaminate” you (for
example, shaking hands or using someone else’s utensils, even if
clean)
• excessively researching cleaning methods and new sources of
contaminants.
CHECKING OCD
individuals feel an overwhelming need to
repeatedly check things, like door locks, stove
switches, or light switches, due to intrusive
thoughts that something might be wrong or
left undone, causing significant anxiety if they
don't verify it multiple times;
CHECKING OCD (cont)
Checking OCD can manifest in a variety of ways:
• Constantly checking appliances, locks, or switches.
• Feeling intense distress if the checking ritual is not performed.
• Repeatedly asking others to confirm if something has been done
correctly.
• Engaging in mental reassurance, such as repeatedly going over
details in one’s mind.
Symmetry and Ordering OCD
person experiences intense
anxiety about things not being
perfectly aligned, balanced, or
arranged in a specific order,
leading to repetitive behaviors like
rearranging objects, counting, or
checking for symmetry to alleviate
distress; essentially, a fixation on
maintaining visual order and
perfect alignment in their
environment.
Symmetry and Ordering OCD
(cont)
Common symmetry OCD obsessions include:
• Requiring extreme balance in all things, like exerting equal
pressure on each foot while walking.
• Needing things to look and feel balanced —pillows on a couch or
bed, books or frames on a table or bookcase.
• Continuous feelings of fear and dread that something bad will
happen if an item is out of place.
• Experiencing extreme anxiety due to asymmetry.
Hoarding OCD
involves obsessions
and compulsions
around hoarding.
People with hoarding
OCD have difficulty
parting with
possessions, even if
they have no value.
Hoarding OCD (cont)
When someone experiences obsessions related to hoarding, they might
believe that:
• Something bad will happen if they throw out childhood mementos.
• They will lose a part of their identity if they get rid of personal items.
• Throwing out gifts may put the person who gifted the item in danger.
• Every item in their home is contaminated and can contaminate
others.
• They need to purchase or own a certain “lucky” number of items.
Intrusive Thoughts OCD
Intrusive thoughts
repeatedly and
automatically enter one’s
mind. They may consist
of feelings, mental
images, memories, or
urges to do something.
They can be distressful
and upsetting and make
a person feel ashamed or
scared.
Intrusive Thoughts OCD (cont)
Intrusive thoughts due to OCD can include:
• self-harm thoughts.
• ideas of harming people close to someone, such as family
members.
• violent thoughts.
• thoughts of harming children or animals.
• doubt-causing thoughts, such as in relationships.
• recurrent thoughts, reminders about painful past events.
• concerns about doing something embarrassing in front of others.
• worries about exposure to diseases, germs, or becoming seriously
unwell.
• weight- and appearance-related thoughts.
Rumination OCD
person experiences a repetitive,
distressing cycle of negative thoughts,
constantly replaying past events or
scenarios in their mind, often
attempting to analyze and find answers
to concerns that may not have a clear
solution, leading to significant anxiety
and distress; essentially, it's a pattern
of obsessive thinking where someone
gets stuck dwelling on the same
thoughts over and over again.
Rumination OCD (cont)
Other examples of rumination in OCD can include mental
behaviors like:
• creating and reviewing mental checklists.
• reviewing past experiences and behaviors.
• reviewing thoughts and feelings they’ve had.
• thinking about the same topics over and over.
• attempting to solve the obsessions or anxiety.
IMPACTS
Psychologic Occupationa
Social l
al
• Strained
• Chronic anxiety, • Reduced
relationships
depression, and productivity and
due to time-
guilt. difficulty
consuming
• Feelings of concentrating at
rituals or
shame or work or school.
avoidance
embarrassment • Frequent
behaviors.
about absences or
IMPACTS
Financial
Physical
• Physical harm from • Excessive
compulsive behaviors spending on
(e.g., skin damage from cleaning supplies,
excessive washing). hoarding items,
• Fatigue due to or seeking
disrupted sleep reassurance.
patterns.
Causes of OCD
Causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder isn't fully understood. Main
theories include:
• Biology. OCD may be due to changes in your body's natural
chemistry or brain functions.
• Genetics. OCD may have a genetic component, but specific genes
have yet to be found.
• Learning. Obsessive fears and compulsive behaviors can be learned
from watching family members or learning them over time.
Risk factors
Stressful life events: If you've gone through traumatic or
stressful events, your risk may increase. This reaction
may cause the intrusive thoughts, rituals and emotional
distress seen in OCD.
Family history: Having parents or other family
members with the disorder can raise your risk of
getting OCD.
Other mental health disorders: OCD may be related to
other mental health disorders, such as anxiety
disorders, depression, substance abuse or tic disorders.
TREATMENT
Psychotherapy Neuromodulatio
n
Pharmacothera
py
Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A special type of
therapy where you learn to challenge and change your
thoughts. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): This
means slowly facing your fears (exposure) without doing
the usual compulsions (like washing hands repeatedly or
checking things). Over time, your brain learns that nothing
bad happens, and the anxiety decreases.
Mindfulness and Acceptance Therapy: Teaches you to
accept thoughts instead of trying to fight them, so they
bother you less.
Pharmacotherapy
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors): These
are antidepressants that also work for OCD by increasing
serotonin (a brain chemical that affects mood and anxiety).
Examples include: Fluoxetine (Prozac)Sertraline
(Zoloft)Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Clomipramine (TCA - Tricyclic Antidepressant): Another
type of medication that helps but may have more side effects.
Atypical Antipsychotics: Used in severe cases if SSRIs
don’t work.
Neuromodulation
• Used for treatment-resistant OCD when standard
therapies fail.
• Uses brain stimulation techniques to change brain
activity.
1. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
• Non-invasive (doesn’t require surgery).
• Uses magnetic pulses to target overactive brain areas.
Two types:
• rTMS (Repetitive TMS): Mixed results but supports the
idea that certain brain circuits are overactive in OCD.
• dTMS (Deep TMS): Goes deeper into the brain and is
FDA-approved for OCD.
Neuromodulation
2. Stereotactic Ablation (Brain Lesioning)A
surgical procedure that removes or disconnects
overactive brain areas.
Two common types:
• Cingulotomy: Cuts connections between
emotional and thinking areas of the brain. (41%
success rate).
• Capsulotomy: Disconnects certain brain regions
to reduce OCD symptoms. (54% success rate)
Neuromodulation
3. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
• A reversible brain surgery.
• A small electrode is implanted in the brain to send
electrical signals and regulate activity.
• Effectiveness: Helps 40-70% of people with severe
OCD.
• Different benefits based on target areas:
o Helps with OCD symptoms.
o Some placements also improve depression and
thinking flexibility
3. Lifestyle and Self-Help
Exercise & Relaxation: Activities like walking, yoga,
or deep breathing can calm the mind.
Good Routine: Having a structured daily plan can
make you feel more in control.
Support Groups: Talking to others who have OCD
can make you feel less alone.
Reducing Stress & Triggers: Finding out what
makes OCD worse (like lack of sleep or too much
caffeine) and avoiding those triggers can help
08
Prevention
There is no guaranteed way to prevent Obsessive-
Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as it is influenced by
genetic, neurological, and environmental factors.
However, there are strategies to reduce the risk of
developing severe symptoms or worsening OCD over
time.
1. Early Detection & Intervention
• Identifying OCD symptoms early can help prevent
them from becoming severe.
• Seeking professional help (therapy, counseling) as
soon as symptoms appear can reduce long-term
impact.
2. Stress Management
• High stress levels can trigger or
worsen OCD symptoms.
• Managing stress can help reduce the
risk.
• Techniques include:
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Deep breathing exercises
• Regular physical activity (e.g., yoga,
walking, running
3. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Techniques
• Even if a person doesn’t have OCD, learning CBT-based coping skills
can help manage obsessive thoughts.
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy can prevent
compulsive behaviors from worsening.
4. Healthy Lifestyle Choices
• Getting enough sleep helps regulate brain function.
• Eating a balanced diet supports mental health.
• Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake may lower
anxiety and compulsive behaviors
5. Medication in High-Risk Cases
In some cases, doctors may prescribe
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
(SSRIs) or other medications to control
symptoms before they escalate.
Case
Studies
Leonardo DiCaprio
Symptoms:
Repetitive behaviors, such as stepping on cracks a certain way.
Obsession with order and routine.
Compulsion to walk through doorways multiple times.
Impact on Life & Career:
While filming The Aviator (2004), where he played Howard
Hughes (a businessman with severe OCD), DiCaprio allowed his
own OCD to manifest more intensely. He would repeatedly walk
through doorways, mirroring Hughes’ behavior.
Quote: “I remember my makeup artist and assistant walking me
to the set and going, ‘Oh God, here he goes again. We’re going to
need ten minutes to get him there because he has to walk back
and step on that thing, touch the door, and walk in and out
again.’”
David Beckham
Symptoms:
• Need for perfect symmetry and order.
• Reorganizes hotel rooms or refrigerators if objects
aren’t aligned properly.
• Gets rid of items if they don’t fit his preferred
arrangement.
Quote: “Everything has to be in a straight line or in
pairs. If I see something out of place, I have to move it.”
Conclusion
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a
challenging but manageable condition that affects
millions of people worldwide, including well-known
public figures. While its exact cause is complex,
With the right treatment and support, individuals
with OCD can lead fulfilling and successful lives.
Understanding OCD not only helps those affected
but also promotes awareness and compassion in
society.
THANK YOU.
References
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