COVID 19 and OCD

COVID 19 pandemic has caused demise of more than 264K among the victims of 3.76M from December 2019 to till date in the world. The Wuhan virus has the compulsion of sanitation of hand in a frequent basis and maintaining social distance.The infectious disease may cause concern for many people,but someone with OCD may become intensely fearful of affected by the pathogen.

fig. Corona Virus

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental disorder with people experiencing intrusive and distressing recurring thoughts, urges, or images which we call obsessions.The obsession includes the fear of contamination and fear of causing harm and fear of things not being in order.

One of the defining features of OCD is that there is a tendency to doubt the completion of a compulsive behaviour.  For example, if someone is affected by the fear that they have not locked the front door, they may have to check the door is locked again and again; they may even have to take a photograph of the engaged lock before they might reassure themselves that the door is locked. Similarly, in the current coronavirus outbreak, people with OCD may find it difficult to stop washing after 20 seconds; the added risks around the virus may leave the person feeling compelled to wash for longer, or they may feel compelled to repeat the handwashing cycle a specific number of times. There may also be doubt about the technique and the effectiveness of the washing. This may lead to the idea that the washing must be repeated; it may also lead people to go to excessive lengths such as using cleaning solutions such as bleach, or abrasive materials such as nailbrushes to satisfy the idea that the hands are still contaminated. The breakdown of the skin’s natural oils will make handwashing painful and will affect the skin’s ability to protect itself from infection.

Breathing exercises, as well as relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises, which can be useful for the home treatment of the OCD.