Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Insights from a Health Policy Expert on Mental Health Awareness Month

Assistant Professor of Health Policy at the Department of Health Services and Hospitals Management at King Abdulaziz University, Dr. Mashael Hobani, obsessive-compulsive disorder is one of the common diseases that affect mental health and quality of life.

Mashael Houbani added that obsessive-compulsive disorder is a type of psychological disorder associated with anxiety, which is characterized by irrational thoughts and fears that push the person to repeat some compulsive behaviors, which hinders his daily life.

She indicated that there is no clear cause for obsessive-compulsive disorder, but there are possible factors causing it, including biological, genetic and environmental factors, indicating that the most common behaviors of people with this disease include: frequent hand washing, ablution, prayer, showering, closing doors or the stove, and organizing items. Permanently and repeatedly, in addition to stuttering, and sleep disorders.

Mental Illness Awareness Month

Hobani added that the current month of May is the month of awareness of mental illness, stressing the need to see a specialized psychiatrist to prescribe the appropriate treatment for everyone who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorders, so that the appropriate treatment is prescribed, pointing out that there are two types of treatment, the first: cognitive-behavioral therapy, which It met with great success, and the second: drug treatment or both together.

And she continued: My advice to the family and friends of the patient; It is necessary to read about his condition to know the best way to deal with him, and to try to help him and reassure him constantly.