Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder characterized by recurrent and persistent fixed ideas that generate uneasiness, fear, anxiety, or apprehension. One of the most common disorders is obsessive-compulsive cleaning disorder. Generally, OCD begins in adolescence or youth. Symptoms usually manifest gradually and typically worsen when individuals experience higher levels of stress.
It is characterized by the negative effect it produces on the well-being of those who suffer from it, as they experience repetitive thoughts that cause anxiety. These thoughts may differ for each individual, but regardless of the thought they have, it is always characterized by cleaning and hygiene behaviors.
Some of the recurrent thoughts are:
• Need to clean oneself.
• Need to clean objects.
• Needing things to be arranged symmetrically.
• Feeling anxious if a specific routine is not performed.
The compulsive behavior developed by individuals with this disorder only serves to calm them for a brief period of time. Therefore, it is important that if obsessions and compulsions reach the point of affecting quality of life, a professional should be consulted. For those individuals who have more flexible compulsive behavior, below we explain some tips that may be useful:
• Control rituals: attempting to postpone a ritual may be difficult at first, but with practice, individuals who suffer from this disorder can endure longer and reduce their anxiety. Changing some aspect of the ritual can have the same effect.
• Relax before cleaning: To reduce anxiety, affected individuals use compulsions, but there are other forms of relaxation. Each person can try what works best for them.
• Work on personality: obsessive-compulsive cleaning disorder usually occurs when individuals have a perfectionist personality. This can cause anxiety problems and, therefore, compulsive behaviors.
