America News Agency

"Obsessions Can Take Control of Your Life"

Individuals with control obsessions often feel the need to repeatedly check whether the stove or the door is closed/locked, according to Anadolu Health Center Specialist Psychologist Ezgi Dokuzlu. "People with cleanliness obsessions often wash their hands or their belongings multiple times because they fear dirt or germs, and they clean their homes very frequently in detail. However, the person still cannot be sure that everything is clean. From time to time, patients may engage in disturbing behaviors such as counting steps while walking, not leaving the house without completing certain tasks, or counting breaths." he stated.

"The primary goal in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is to reduce the patient's anxiety"

Specialist Psychologist Ezgi Dokuzlu emphasized that in the treatment of OCD, a synchronized application of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication therapy is necessary. "Treatment aims to reduce the intense sense of responsibility and the associated anxiety/stress level that the thoughts create in the patients. In addition, psychodynamic therapies also contribute to the treatment process," he said.

"Excessive fear of germs or diseases is one of the symptoms of OCD"

Specialist Psychologist Ezgi Dokuzlu summarized the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as follows:

"Excessive fear of getting infected with germs or diseases, fear of inappropriate thoughts, constantly trying to be orderly (for example, always doing daily tasks in a specific order) and getting restless when the order is disrupted, fear of making mistakes, fear of causing harm to innocent people, constantly counting everyday things (e.g., steps while walking), constantly arranging or organizing objects, constantly checking whether the door is locked or the stove is turned off, frequent showering or handwashing in very short intervals, mistrust of everything and everyone, and an increased need for reassurance due to these doubts, fear that something bad will happen to loved ones..."