Living With Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder Without Formal Therapy: A Qualitative Exploration of Self-Management and Lifestyle Adaptations Among Adults in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/10.55737/trt/v-vii.356Keywords:
Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder, Self-management, Lifestyle Adaptations, Coping, Qualitative Research, Phenomenology, Pakistan, Family SupportAbstract
Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic, potentially incapacitating disorder with intrusive thoughts and compulsive actions that hinder psychological well-being and daily functioning. Although treatments based on empirical evidence exist, some people are unable to undergo or fail to carry on with professional psychotherapy, thus devising their own ways of dealing with symptoms. The extent of qualitative research into the experience of adults suffering from OCD in Pakistan is rather limited. The present study investigates the self-management techniques and lifestyle adjustments of adults with mild to moderate OCD who do not have access to professional psycho-therapy. The phenomenological approach was chosen for the study, and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 adults aged 19-40 years of age. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Three main themes have been identified: the challenges of living with OCD, self-management of OCD, and life Adaptation. The findings highlight how adults may negotiate OCD symptoms through individualized coping strategies, daily routines, and interpersonal support. However, the study does not establish the clinical effectiveness of these strategies. The findings provide culturally situated insight into lived experiences of OCD management and identify areas for future research and culturally responsive clinical support.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11, 589-597. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806
Brierley, M. E., Albertella, L., Do Rosário, M. C., Ferrão, Y. A., Miguel, E. C., & Fontenelle, L. F. (2021). How do daily routines and situational factors affect the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder? Journal of Psychiatric Research, 143, 395-399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.040
Brierley, M. E., Thompson, E. M., Albertella, L., & Fontenelle, L. F. (2021). Lifestyle interventions in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders: A systematic review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 83(8), 817-833. https://doi.org/10.1097/psy.0000000000000988
Gadit, A. A. (2003). Obsessive-compulsive disorder in a fishermen community. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons—Pakistan, 13(10), 581–583. https://doi.org/10.2003/JCPSP.581583
Mancebo, M. C., Grant, J. E., Pinto, A., Eisen, J. L., & Rasmussen, S. A. (2009). Substance use disorders in an obsessive-compulsive disorder clinical sample. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(4), 429-435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2008.08.008
Mehta, M. (1990). A comparative study of family-based and patient-based behavioural management in obsessive-compulsive disorder. British Journal of Psychiatry, 157(1), 133-135. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.157.1.133
Polak, M., & Tanzer, N. (2024). Internet‐based cognitive behavioural treatments for obsessive–compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 31(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2989
Rachman, S. (2002). A cognitive theory of compulsive checking. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40(6), 625-639. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0005-7967(01)00028-6
Sarris, J., Camfield, D., & Berk, M. (2012). Complementary medicine, self-help, and lifestyle interventions for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the OCD spectrum: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 138(3), 213-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2011.04.051
Sij, Z. D., Manshaee, G., Hasanabadi, H., & Nadi, M. A. (2018). The effects of schema therapy on emotional self-awareness, vulnerability, and obsessive symptoms among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Modern Care Journal, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.5812/modernc.69656
Skapinakis, P., Caldwell, D. M., Hollingworth, W., Bryden, P., Fineberg, N. A., Salkovskis, P., Welton, N. J., Baxter, H., Kessler, D., Churchill, R., & Lewis, G. (2021). Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for management of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Focus, 19(4), 457-467. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.19402
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
