Obsessive compulsive disorder in Mexico

• May 2, 2024

Between 2 and 4% of the Mexican population suffer the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that manifests itself in the minds of patients with ideas or repetitive images , of absurd content. Its symptoms appear at 10, 20 or 30 years of life, the Ministry of Health reported in a press release.

OCD obsessions are characterized by very distressing thoughts that consume a great amount of the day to the patient, and trigger repetitive behaviors or mental rituals, to diminish the anguish caused by the obsession.

The coordinator of the Clinic of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Spectrum Disorder of the National Institute of Psychiatry, Cristina Loyzaga Mendoza , commented that the person with OCD takes up to 7 years to go to the doctor for fear of being considered crazy, even when he is aware that his behavior is abnormal. In Mexico , 70% of those who suffer from the disorder do not know it.

OCD is the fourth disorder with the highest demand in the psychiatric services of Mexico and its lack of attention can cause disability, loss of employment, alteration of social and interpersonal relationships.

Dr. Loyzaga Mendoza mentioned that the specific treatment is the combination of drugs with cognitive behavioral therapy, to help the patient to control the symptoms, prevent relapses and reintegrate him into his social life.

Parents with OCD

The press release from the Ministry of Health pointed out that international studies show that the pregnancy It is "the straw that spills the glass" so that OCD is triggered, but it also influences the genetics , neuro-structural alterations, biochemicals (serotonin), parenting aspects or neuropsychological situations.

In some cases it has been found that the parents of those who suffer OCD have an obsessive personality disorder, which is characterized by excessive punctuality , meticulousness, problem to delegate activities, work in excess and inflexibility in its ethical and moral rules.