Mental disorders can affect people in dramatically different ways however sometimes, despite their very distinctive differences; they may be connected quite closely. For example, anxiety and depression are virtually at polar opposites when it comes to symptoms; however they are connected in certain ways. Another disorder that has a number of links is OCD. OCD and depression have been closely connected. Obsessive compulsive disorder is actually an anxiety disorder which can alter a person’s perception to believe and behave in an irrational manner.
A person with OCD may have either obsessions or compulsions. The obsessions could be any idea that tends to continually playback in a person’s mind in a negative manner. An example would be obsessing over the possibility of being run over when walking on the road. Compulsions are certain practices that a person believes should be done for fear of a negative consequence if they do not. A common compulsion is in terms of cleanliness. This is usually in the case of germophobes who feel the need to continually clean and sanitize themselves as well as anything in the vicinity for fear of being infected by an illness.
A high prevalence has been seen in individuals with OCD. OCD depression is a rather common occurrence with the majority of people having the disorder developing depression. The reason behind this can be easily justified. People with OCD seem to have a lot of trouble carrying out their lives as their obsession or compulsion is usually something they face on a frequent or daily basis. This can interfere with their lives which can in turn make them depressed. This may also affect the way people socialize resulting in other individuals considering them “awkward” or “weird” which may further fuel the OCD and depression.
People with OCD depression have to be treated differently as the depression can interfere with the treatments for OCD. In most cases, the depressive disorder needs to be treated before the OCD treatment is continued. Sometimes, doctors would incorporate a treatment regime that addresses both, the depressive disorder as well as the OCD.
Another link between OCD and depression is the cause. In both cases, there is evidence that suggests that neurotransmitters such as serotonin in the brain are responsible for the disorder. Having insufficient levels of the condition is known to influence the possibility of developing the malady. A person with OCD should be watched closely for any of the tell-tale signs of major depressive disorder.