It may be a medical condition The most common type of obsession in people with OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder) is the fear of contamination, that is, any form of impurity or pollution. This obsession with hygiene occurs when people cannot control their repetitive behavior and actions, often which has no logic to it. OCD is a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety, or by a combination of such thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions). The symptoms of this anxiety disorder may include repetitive hand-washing; extensive hoarding; aversion to odd numbers; and nervous habits, such as opening a door and closing it a certain number of times before one enters or leaves a room. These symptoms can be alienating and time-consuming, and often cause severe emotional and economic loss. The acts of those who have OCD may appear paranoid and come across to others as psychotic. Although these signs may be present in OCD, a person who exhibits them does not necessarily have OCD, and may instead have obsessive–compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), an autism spectrum disorder, or no clinical condition. Multiple psychological and biological factors may be involved in causing obsessive–compulsive syndromes. “Patients understand that their repetitive actions are silly but they cannot resist them. There are also resultant compulsive actions to relieve anxiety caused by this obsession,” said Dr. Mohammad Al-Hamid, head of the Psychiatry department at Bakhsh Hospital, Jeddah. Dr. Hessa Al-Sehli, a faculty member with the Education Department at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, gives an example: “A mother who has washed her child's hair over and over again and is still not convinced that the hair is clean. She and her family suffer from her behavior.” People who are overly concerned about issues of hygiene and cleanliness are often treated with curiosity by their relative and friends. Their behavior is thought to be unnatural. Abdulla Mohammad, a father of three, is irked by the constant nagging of his wife, Hind, who complains that the family is suffering because of his “strict rules” with regard to hygiene. Hind told Saudi Gazette that her husband never visits the dentist except in times of emergency because he fears that the dentist's tools are “not sterilized enough”. Apparently, Abdulla also takes his own razor with him when he visits a barbershop. “Furthermore, there are only a few restaurants that Abdulla trusts and allows us to dine at,” she added. On the other hand, denying any such obsession, Abdulla says he is only being cautious. “I have a right to create a healthy and clean environment for my family and myself,” he said. It appears that Abdulla is not completely mistaken. Dr. Hessa explained that Abdulla's behavior is not an obsession as “being overly concerned about cleanliness without repeating acts or being suspicious is not an obsession”. However, she added that this kind of obsession is found in all sorts of people. It affects one on a psychological as well as physical level. “On the psychological front, it causes anxiety and isolation. Patients avoid contact with people and avoid visiting them. They can easily get depressed,” explained Dr. Al-Hamid “A lot of money and time is lost. For example, such people buy large quantities of detergents and a lot of time is consumed in cleaning.” Advertisements of detergents and other such products compound problems of obsession, according to Dr. Al-Hamid. “On the physical front, it causes many diseases, such as, eczema, dermatitis and dryness of the digestive system in the case of those people who use a lot of facilitators for digestion,” he explained. “Like treating a headache, the most important part of treating a contamination obsession is identifying the root cause of the problem,” Dr. Hessa said, adding that contamination obsession is caused due to a variety of reasons based on psychological analysis. “It could be a behavior and not a disease, people may be forced to behave in a particular way in some cases, or it can be a psychological shock or an intense experience from the past,” she continued. There are two kinds of treatments in case of contamination obsession: behavioral - comprising of cognitive behavior therapy and behavior therapy – and chemical – where patients are prescribed medicine. “In behavioral treatment, patients undergo sessions in which attempts are made to distract them; stop the obsessive ideas and responses,” stated Dr. Al-Hamid. “Chemical treatment includes use of anti-depressants that are not addictive as opposed to what many people think, and the courses range from two to four years.” It is always best to have such a condition - whether medical or not - checked out by a doctor. It may be that your obsession is hurting your environment and family.
