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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by a recurring pattern of unwelcome thoughts and fears that become obsessions. These obsessions can cause individuals to repeat actions constantly, and this repetitive behaviour is known as a compulsion. Both obsessions and compulsions can interfere with everyday life. Those who suffer from OCD also feel compelled to perform compulsive actions to ease their anxiety, and this can create a continuous cycle.

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Signs and symptoms:

Fear of germs/contamination

Constantly requiring reassurance

Need for order, neatness, symmetry or perfection of objects.

Bathing or washing your body/hands over and over.

Re-doing things until it “just feels right”

Doubts that you've locked the door, turned off the stove, turned off a light, etc.

Unpleasant and unwanted violent/sexual thoughts

Counting in certain patterns.

Silently repeating a word or phrase.

Arranging personal items in a very specific way.

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Researchers don’t fully know what causes OCD, and there is no single cause; however, many factors are certain to contribute to the development of OCD. These factors include:

Genetics. Studies show that OCD can run in families, and about 10%-20% of children who have a parent with OCD will also develop OCD.

Brain changes. Research has shown that parts of the brain affected by OCD include the orbitofrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate cortex, the thalamus, and the basal ganglia. People with OCD tend to have overactivity in these parts of the brain.

PANDAS is short for “pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections.” It describes conditions that affect children who have had strep infections, and OCD is one of these conditions, which develops very suddenly.

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How does OCD affect a person emotionally?

Obsessions can create overwhelming worry, dread, and anxiety and can contribute to depression.

Repeated compulsions may feel exhausting, leading to helplessness.

People often know their thoughts or behaviours don’t make sense, but feel unable to control them and embarrassed about them

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How does OCD affect them physically?

Compulsions can take up hours of the day, leading to exhaustion and fatigue.

Anxiety and repetitive actions can make it difficult to fall asleep.

Repetitive actions can cause physical harm. For example, the immense rubbing from repeatedly washing one's hands can cause skin irritation.

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How does OCD affect them socially?

People may avoid friends, family, or social situations to hide their OCD, beginning to crave social isolation.

Family or partners may struggle to understand their behaviours, which can lead to complicated relationships.

OCD rituals can consume hours of the day and cause a loss of focus that affects productivity in school/work.

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The Canadian Mental Health Association is a great resource for someone suffering from OCD. This organization provides information on support groups and resources from across Canada that can assist with OCD treatment.

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What are some ways you can help or support someone with this mental illness/addiction?

1. Avoid arguing over obsessions or compulsions. People who experience OCD are aware that their experiences don't make sense, and arguing will only make them more insecure.

2. OCD can be difficult to manage during stressful times, so recognize that a person may need extra support and patience.

3. Every small step towards managing OCD behaviour can be a difficult journey, so celebrate the victories, even if they are slight.

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Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre

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The Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre is dedicated to treatment and research of anxiety disorders, with a focus on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders.

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DEMOGRAPHIC

This disorder center serves anyone above 18.

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FACILITY LOCATION/TYPES OF TREATMENT

The facility is located in Toronto, Ontario, and is home to many types of treatment, including:

Any form of trauma

Musculoskeletal care

Rehabilitation for patients with complex medical conditions

Cancer care

Cardiac and stroke care

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Sunnybrook’s mission is to care for their families and patients when it matters most. They strive to exceed the expectations for their patients and their families by anticipating their needs, strengthening patient engagement, improving access to care, and ensuring the quality and safety of care.

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The programming at Sunnybrook consists of daily activities such as intensive individual & group therapy, group consults, aftercare, and outreach. Depending on the severity of the client's case, stays usually last anywhere from several weeks or months; however, the schedule is flexible. The clients can connect with the outdoor environment through therapeutic nature walks and the use of campus green spaces.

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Yes, I believe we should all work on our mental health as part of our daily lives. Life is stressful, whether it’s school, relationships, or future plans, and if we don’t look after our mental well-being, the stressors can really pile up. Building resilience is definitely a helpful tool because it gives us the ability to bounce back when things don’t go our way. Instead of letting setbacks break us down, resilience helps us learn from them and keep moving forward. By practicing small habits every day, we can make mental health a normal part of life and grow stronger for the challenges ahead.