OCD: Untreated and Unrecognized

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a mental health condition that can be incredibly disabling. Unfortunately, it often goes untreated and unrecognized. People with OCD often feel ashamed and embarrassed about their condition and may not even realize that they have OCD. In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms of OCD, why people leave it untreated, the importance of OCD treatment, and how to support someone who is living with OCD.

What Is Meant By OCD?

OCD is a mental health disorder that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by obsessions, unwanted and intrusive thoughts, and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors that the person feels compelled to do to relieve anxiety.

Untreated OCD can have a debilitating effect on a person’s life, making it difficult to work, study, or even leave the house. Unfortunately, OCD is often untreated and unrecognized, due to the stigma attached to mental health disorders. This is why it’s important to educate yourself and others about OCD, to help those who suffer from it get the treatment they need.

Why Does OCD Remain Untreated?

The problem of untreated OCD is increasing today. Various reasons for this include:

Lack of understanding of OCD

Lack of understanding of OCD can result in untreated OCD. This is because people may not be aware that they have OCD and as a result, they may not seek treatment. Furthermore, their lack of understanding can lead them to believe that their symptoms are not severe enough to warrant treatment. This can result in untreated OCD becoming more severe over time.

Fear of embarrassment about seeking help

Untreated OCD can result from a fear of embarrassment about seeking help. This may be due to a belief that OCD is a sign of weakness or a fear of being perceived as crazy. The embarrassment may also come from a fear of disclosing intimate details about one’s thoughts and behaviors which can complicate the process of seeking treatment.

Thinking that OCD is not a real problem

Some people think that OCD is not a problem at all. This ideology can result in untreated OCD for a few reasons. Firstly, people who think this way may not even realize that they have OCD.

Secondly, even if they are aware that they have OCD, they may not think it is worth seeking treatment for. And finally, such thinking makes you more likely to avoid seeking help from a professional. All of these factors can contribute to untreated OCD.

Phobia of medication

There are a few reasons why untreated OCD can occur. One reason is that people with untreated OCD may not want to take medication. This could be because they are afraid of the side effects that come with taking medication, or they may not believe that medication will help them.

For example, someone may believe that their OCD thoughts are not real, and therefore taking medication will not help. This is their excuse because they fear taking medication.

Incapability to face fears

Untreated OCD is often unrecognized and untreated because people are afraid to face their fears. They would rather just avoid the situation altogether. For example, someone with a fear of germs may not want to touch doorknobs or shake hands because they are afraid of contracting a disease. As a result, they will not treat their OCD because they do not want to face their fear.

Thinking that OCD can be controlled by oneself

Untreated OCD can result from several different thinking patterns. One common pattern is thinking that people can control their OCD on their own. Such people may think that they don’t need medication or therapy to manage their OCD and that they can just willpower their way through it. They make their own rules and guidelines to follow, and then get upset when they can’t stick to them.

Social stigma attached

There are several reasons why social stigma results in untreated OCD. One of the most significant reasons is that people with untreated OCD often suffer in silence. They may be afraid to tell anyone about their condition for fear of being ridiculed or misunderstood.

Fear of huge expenses

The untreated OCD sufferer will often forecast necessary medical and dental care by themselves. They over-explore sometimes with the help of various resources available online due to which they make an ideology that the treatment for OCD involves infinite expenditure.  They may think that they can’t afford to get help and so they don’t seek it out. Such a mindset may lead them to untreated OCD and untreated mental illness in general.

Thinking it to be a waste of time

Many people think that the treatment of OCD is a long process and takes a huge time to show effective results. So, they don’t recognize their OCD and untreated it. They may think that their precious time is being wasted in getting the treatment of OCD and so there is no need to treat it.

What Are The Consequences Of Untreated OCD?

Untreated OCD can lead to several consequences, including:

Difficulty functioning at work or school

Untreated OCD can result in difficulty functioning at work or school for several reasons. It can lead to missed days of work or school, as well as decreased productivity when at work or school.

Untreated OCD can also lead to difficulty concentrating, which can make it difficult to complete tasks or follow directions. The performance at work or school may deteriorate as untreated OCD symptoms are not allowing the individual to focus on the task at hand.

Isolation from friends and family

Untreated OCD often results in isolation from friends and family. This is because untreated OCD can cause a person to become extremely focused on their obsessions and compulsions. This can cause them to distance themselves from others, as they may feel that they need to keep their OCD a secret.

For example, someone with untreated OCD may be afraid to tell anyone about their obsessions for fear of being judged or ridiculed. This can lead to the person feeling isolated and alone.

Depression

Untreated OCD results in depression because it is a mental health disorder that is not properly recognized or treated. For example, people with untreated OCD may fixate on certain things, like germs or dirt. This can lead to them feeling anxious and depressed because they feel like they can’t control their thoughts or compulsions.

Another example is that people with untreated OCD may have intrusive thoughts that are disturbing or graphic. This can lead to them feeling depressed because they can’t control their thoughts and they may feel like they are going crazy.

Relationship problems

Untreated OCD results in relationship problems because it can cause a person to be overly critical, perfectionistic, and demanding. untreated OCD can also lead to a fear of abandonment, which can make it difficult for a person to maintain close relationships.

For example, a person with untreated OCD may avoid social situations or activities that could trigger their obsessions or compulsions. This can make it difficult for them to form and maintain close relationships. Untreated OCD can also cause a person to withdraw from their loved ones and isolate themselves, which can further damage relationships.

Problems with everyday activities 

Untreated OCD can result in several problems with everyday activities. For instance, people with untreated OCD may have difficulty bathing or eating due to their obsessions and compulsions.

Let’s take an example. Imagine that you have untreated OCD and are afraid of contamination. This means that you may obsessively worry about becoming contaminated by germs. As a result, you may compulsively wash your hands or avoid touching doorknobs, etc.

This can make everyday activities very difficult. For instance, you may spend hours in the shower scrubbing your skin raw or forego eating altogether because you can’t bear to touch food.

Financial difficulties

Untreated OCD can result in financial difficulties in several ways. It can lead to job loss, as well as decreased productivity at work. It also leads to difficulty in maintaining relationships, which can impact one’s ability to earn an income. In addition, untreated OCD can lead to increased healthcare costs due to which there is a decline in mental and physical health, which can impact one’s ability to work and earn an income.

untreated OCD can be extremely detrimental to one’s quality of life, and can even be deadly if left untreated.

Therefore, the treatment of OCD is important because untreated OCD can lead to significant difficulties in daily functioning and can cause a great deal of distress in life.

Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Untreated OCD often results in suicidal thoughts or behaviors because the sufferer is unable to cope with the constant anxiety and stress that untreated OCD creates. The mental disorder can cause the sufferer to feel as though their life is out of control and that they will never be able to escape the obsessions and compulsions that untreated OCD creates.

This can lead the sufferer to believe that suicide is the only way to escape the pain and suffering that untreated OCD causes.

Untreated OCD can also cause the sufferer to engage in self-destructive behaviors as a way to cope with the anxiety and stress that untreated OCD creates. These self-destructive behaviors can include cutting, binge eating, substance abuse, and other risky behaviors that can lead to serious injury or death.

How Can Therapies Help?

Many types of therapy can be effective in managing and overcoming OCD. These include

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an effective treatment for untreated OCD. The goal of CBT is to help you learn to recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to your OCD. CBT typically consists of weekly sessions with a trained therapist. During CBT, you will:

• learn about OCD and how it affects your thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
• identify the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your OCD.
• learn how to challenge and change your thoughts and behaviors.
• practice new skills to manage your OCD.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

ERP is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people manage their OCD by gradually exposing them to the things that trigger their anxiety, while also teaching them healthy coping mechanisms to deal with the anxiety.

The treatment involves gradually exposing the person to their fears and anxiety-provoking situations, while also teaching them healthy coping mechanisms to deal with the anxiety.

For example, if someone with untreated OCD is afraid of germs and contamination, the therapist might have them touch doorknobs and then not wash their hands for some time. The therapist would then help the person manage their anxiety and fear during this exposure exercise.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Untreated OCD can be improved with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by helping the person learn to accept their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This allows them to focus on their values and what is important to them in life, rather than getting caught up in the details of their OCD.

For example, a person with untreated OCD might obsessively worry about contracting a disease. They may spend hours researching diseases and their symptoms, which can lead to a great deal of anxiety and distress. However, if they can learn to accept that their thoughts are just thoughts and not reality, they can begin to focus on what is truly important to them in life.

ACT can help untreated OCD by teaching people to accept their thoughts and feelings, and focus on their values so that they can live a more fulfilling life.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis helps to improve this subtype of OCD by working with the subconscious mind to change negative thoughts and behaviors. For example, if a person with this type of OCD is afraid of contamination, they may avoid touching doorknobs or shaking hands with people.

Hypnosis can help the person to feel more comfortable with these activities by working with the subconscious mind to change the way they think about contamination. The patient may be able to see that their fear is irrational and no longer feels the need to avoid activities that may expose them to contamination. This can help to improve quality of life and reduce the impact of untreated OCD on everyday life.

Animal Therapy

Animal therapy is an effective treatment for untreated OCD. Studies have shown that animal therapy can help improve symptoms of OCD, including reducing anxiety and improving social functioning. In one study, patients with untreated OCD who underwent animal therapy showed significant improvements in symptoms, including reductions in anxiety and depression, compared to those who did not receive animal therapy.

Animal therapy can help improve untreated OCD by providing a sense of calm and relaxation, which can help reduce anxiety levels. Animal therapy can also help improve social functioning by providing patients with the opportunity to interact with other people and animals.

Art Therapy

Untreated OCD can be artfully managed through several different means. The main goal of art therapy is to help individuals express their thoughts and feelings in a safe and creative outlet. This can help the individual to better understand and cope with their untreated OCD.

Art therapy can also help to improve communication and social skills, as well as increase self-esteem and confidence. Untreated OCD can be a very isolating and debilitating condition, so art therapy can be a valuable tool in helping to improve the quality of life for those affected by it.

Several different techniques can be used in art therapy to help people with untreated OCD. One common technique is to have the individual draw a picture of their OCD. This can help to externalize the disorder and make it more manageable. The individual can then discuss their picture with the art therapist and begin to understand their OCD in a new way. Other techniques that may be used include painting, sculpture, and collage.

Nutrient Therapy

The theory behind nutrient therapy is that the body needs certain nutrients to function properly and that these nutrients can help treat untreated OCD. There are many different types of nutrient therapy, but one of the most popular is orthomolecular medicine.

Orthomolecular medicine uses nutrients to correct imbalances in the body. For example, if someone has untreated OCD, they may have an imbalance of serotonin in their body. Orthomolecular medicine would treat this by giving the person nutrients that would correct the imbalance.

Another option is to change diet intake. For example, a person with untreated OCD might be deficient in omega-three fatty acids. They would therefore need to consume more foods that are high in omega-three fatty acids, such as fish or flaxseed oil.

Other important nutrients which can help to treat untreated OCD are magnesium, vitamin B12, and probiotics.

How Can Self-Care Tips Help?

There are a few things that people with untreated OCD can do to ease their symptoms and regain some control over their lives. Here are some key points:

• Learn about OCD and its symptoms. This can help you understand your condition and find ways to manage it.
• Create a support system of family and friends. These people can provide emotional support and help you stick to your treatment plan.
• Join a self-help or support group. This can provide you with valuable information and support from others who are dealing with OCD.
• Introduce some positive lifestyle changes. This may include insulating new habits such as exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, staying active during the whole day, indulging in new hobbies, and many more.

Make sure to follow your healthy mechanisms to achieve the desired goal. These strategies work will give the best results when used in conjunction with the treatment of therapies.

Conclusion

Untreated OCD is a serious problem that is often unrecognized. It can lead to many problems in a person’s life, including difficulties in work, school, and personal relationships. The treatment is highly mandatory to get over such a mental disorder.

Those who take it lightly suffer a lot as this serious ailment can be a lifelong battle if not taken care of soon enough. Therefore, avoid any further delays to remain on the safer side. Seek a professional’s help and get over untreated OCD as soon as possible.

This is a very sensitive and crucial topic so if you or someone you know is suffering from untreated OCD, please do not hesitate to reach out for help.

Professional Guidance is the first step to moving toward your healing journey. You can try reaching Therapy Mantra to seek expert help in the comfort of your own home. Our therapists will help you get a solution to manage and overcome your problem. You can book your online therapy and talk directly to your assigned mentor. You may also download our free OCD treatment app on Android or iOS.