It feels a bit obsessive-compulsive, always wanting to wash your hands, forcing yourself to calm down, what should I do?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes people to have obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. These behaviors are persistent and lead to social impairment.

Normal people also experience some similar obsessive symptoms, such as repeatedly checking doors and windows, even though they know it is unnecessary. This is normal, but OCD is repeated intense painful feelings that impair social functioning.

People with OCD try to control themselves and the world around them. They make mistakes and feel like bad things will happen if they do.

From a psychoanalytic perspective, one of the main causes of OCD may be unpredictable parenting. This can cause children to feel out of control.

OCD can be treated with medication and counseling. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common and effective OCD treatment.

Greetings.

A gentle gesture of reassurance and understanding.

I am experiencing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, including a persistent urge to wash my hands. How might I effectively induce a state of calm?

Obsessive hand washing, compulsive tidying, and compulsive watching of subtitles can be considered obsessive behavior for the time being, as they exemplify the repetition of meaningless actions that an individual is unable to control, which is a defining characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

In the event that the current situation is not particularly grave, it may be advisable to refrain from excessive worry for the time being. Exposure therapy and Morita therapy can assist in alleviating the distress and emotional anxiety caused by obsessive symptoms. As an illustration, the gradual reduction of handwashing frequency may initially prove challenging due to the intrusive nature of obsessive thoughts, which impede normal judgment. Consequently, when washing hands, it may be beneficial to reassure oneself that it is acceptable to wash hands twice, that such an action has been taken previously, that the hands are indeed very clean, and that there is no cause for concern. The reinforcement of positive thinking can facilitate the restoration of normal cognitive processes.

The fundamental tenet of Morita therapy is "to do what is necessary and allow the natural course of events to unfold." It is a method of observing one's own thoughts and ideas and a way of being more accepting of one's own state. For example, when one encounters obsessive thoughts, one can acknowledge these thoughts, accept these thoughts, and remain in the present moment, despite being aware of these thoughts. One can then act normally and refrain from being disturbed by them. Initially, this may feel very awkward, but with repeated practice of remaining in the present moment and acknowledging and accepting the symptoms, the obsessive-compulsive resistance will gradually diminish. This will prevent obsessive thoughts from developing into anti-obsessive thoughts, which can further reinforce obsessive thoughts and exacerbate the situation.

It is thus possible to select one of the two aforementioned methods for practice, according to one's own preferences. Obsessive-compulsive disorder frequently gives rise to a considerable number of delusions. By residing in the present moment, it is possible to more effectively eliminate the anxiety caused by negative thoughts. Consequently, the act of relinquishing inner obsession and anxiety allows one to truly experience one's authentic self, while simultaneously preventing the occupation of one's mind by negative thoughts.

To illustrate, if one is suddenly struck by the thought that their hands are dirty, it is possible to examine one's hands in a realistic manner and acknowledge that they are not in fact unclean. Worry arises from the imagination, yet the imagination does not correspond to reality. In the event that one is experiencing unease, it may be beneficial to seek the support of those in one's immediate vicinity, such that friends and family can offer an impartial perspective. The objective is to assist in the process of returning to reality, thereby alleviating obsessive symptoms.

Upon observing the letters, negative thoughts may resurface, accompanied by a tendency to ruminate. In such instances, it is beneficial to inquire about the emotional memories that have been triggered and to identify the source of the anxiety. Once the underlying cause has been discerned, it is important to provide comfort and reassurance to oneself, affirming that one is safe and secure. This process of self-soothing helps to refocus attention on the present reality. As a result, one's rational judgment and ability to concentrate are likely to improve.

It is important to note that these methods are to be practiced in a step-by-step manner. Even if one is already familiar with the methods, they will not necessarily take effect immediately. It is not uncommon for practice to yield no immediate results. Just as with illness, where medication also requires time to take effect, there is a process of adaptation and change. The necessity of a process of healing over time is a fundamental aspect of these methods.

It is my sincere hope that this response will prove to be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Hello, my name is Qingyi, and I'm a psychological counselor.

From your description of the problem, it seems that some of the individual behaviors (such as washing hands and tidying things up) may have a compulsive quality. However, whether they reach the level of obsessive-compulsive disorder requires a diagnosis by a psychiatrist, because at the medical level, obsessive-compulsive disorder has clear diagnostic criteria. Other behaviors, such as not feeling comfortable wearing glasses or always reading subtitles at the movies, seem to be feelings and experiences that many people may have, and it is not easy to determine whether they have a compulsive quality.

In general, it can be said that there is a kind of "counter-compulsion" that arises after performing a compulsive act. This is to say that after engaging in a compulsive behavior, there often comes an idea of "not doing such an act." However, it seems that one cannot fully control this process, which can result in a kind of internal conflict between the compulsion and the counter-compulsion. This can make it challenging to extricate oneself from the situation. The emotions that arise in this context can be very painful, and they can affect one's work and life efficiency and quality. This, in turn, can affect one's social functions.

If you feel that such behavior is causing you a great deal of emotional distress and is having a significant negative impact on your personal life and work, it might be helpful to consider seeking the advice of a professional doctor by visiting a psychiatric hospital.

If you feel that seeking medical treatment is not necessary at this time, but you are still experiencing significant distress, you may wish to consider speaking with a counselor.

If you feel your current situation is not as serious as it could be and you are confident you can find a solution, you might like to try the following method. It is often the case that obsessive behaviour or thinking is a way of relieving inner anxiety. If you can identify the source of your anxiety and address it, you may find that your obsessive behaviour eases.

If I might humbly offer my input, I believe the question that remains is how to relieve anxiety. There are many constructive ways and methods in this regard, such as meditation, relaxation training, sports, keeping a diary, finding someone to talk to, etc., which can all have a certain effect. Different methods are suitable for different people, so I hope you can find ways and methods that suit you to relieve emotional stress.

I hope my answer will be of some help to you.

I hope this information is helpful to you.