“Opposites attract!” I can’t count the number of times I came across this phrase. But this was the first time I was listening to the repercussions of being opposite. A reckless guy married to a girl with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Recognizing her OCD
After 20 years of marriage, Rama could not take it anymore. A reckless young man fell in love with Snigdha’s calm, composed and caring nature. With the paradigm thought of ‘opposites attract’ they fell in love and soon got married.
After marriage, Rama noticed that Snigdha often waked up in the middle of the night to check the gas or the door lock. But he never thought that to be a problem.
When he asked her she shared her irrational fear of a serial killer entering her house or a gas leak burning them to death. No matter how much he tried to console, she could not calm her harrowing thoughts.
Rama said that in these 20 years she never spent a night outside her home as she could not stand a used bed sheet or toilet. She cleans our bathroom three times a day. She washes her hands at least 30 times a day.
Everything in our home is symmetrical and hell breaks when things change position in our house.
She does pooja so many times and thinks it’s a sin not to do things as per a rule book. Now even our children are growing up and they refuse to abide by her illogical rules.
She doubts me of lying, cheating and makes a scene for every little thing.
Our children have grown up to be anxious and filled with self-doubts. Life is filled with superstitions, unreasonable beliefs, and doubts. Because of her behavior, our family has become a big dysfunctional community stuck together.
Also Read: Anxiety and OCD in the time of coronavirus
Living with an OCD Patient
It was evident that Snigdha was suffering from OCD.
The symptoms were clear, the noise in her mind kept reiterating the obsessive thoughts which resulted in her compulsive actions. It is often seen that patients who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Their obsessive thoughts lead to repetitive behaviors. They seem to have no control over their thoughts or actions. And this turns out to be a challenge for those living with.
OCD’s Effect on Family
As seen in Rama’s case, living with an OCD patient makes things a bit difficult. Especially if the illness is not recognized and acknowledged. Such behavior is extremely stressful for family members.
A survey reported that 75% of time family members experienced a disruption in their lives because of the OCD. This included loss of personal relationships, loss of leisure time, and financial problems.
Understanding OCD
Not acknowledging OCD results in a vicious circle of guilt and blame that can crack the bonds. I explained the chronic nature of her ailment to the family so that the people around her can understand her compulsions and support her to a quick recovery.
Also Read: COVID-19 and the historic rise in mental health
Ayurvedic advice for overcoming OCD
1. Medication
I prescribed Ayurvedic medicines to combat stress, anxiety and the constant obsessive thoughts of her mind. Ayurvedic medicines for stress and anxiety are safe, effective and sans any side effects.
2. Guided Meditation
Guided Meditation helps the mind to shut down and see things from a rational and wider perspective. It also helped her in calming the mind and instilling faith and hope in place of doubt and fear.
3. Pranayama
Breathing practices or Pranayama is a very effective solution to mental illness. It calms the anxiety and brings down the stress. Pranayama also cleanses the mind of the negative thoughts.
Also Read: Healing Power of Pranayama
Conclusion
After one year of proper support, medication, meditation, and Pranayama, Snigdha overcame her irrational fears and compulsions redirecting her life to a completely new path.
5 comments
Yes, very good study. You helped and saved the family. Thank you so much sir.
I came across many families, which are still suffering of OCD. Now I can guide them to take Ayurvedic help.
Very informative case study sir.
Many does not have an idea of this issue called OCD.
I have closely come across a person with the same issue and has gone to a seveority now .
But it us equally important bring the confidence about the treatment And the doctor is the prime factor plays a role in controlling of this OCD.
Because I have seen a person doesn’t trust anyone not even a doctor and the family is seriously facing a troublesome routine everyday because of this most dominated OCD in her
Very informative doctor!
Thanks for letting me know the seriousness of this disease and the impact it leaves on rest of the family members. I myself have a obsession for washing hands often , thinking that the thing I touched could be dirty . But I should thank you for casually mentioning about it to me when I visited you. And you even asked me to do pranayam . But now I am fine as I gave a deep thought over what you told me and I follow that. I am very fortunate to have come acros a Dr , a mentor, a well wisher and a true friend like you . I thank you once again for all service you do so religiously.
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