Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Its Concept, Causes, and Treatment from an Islamic Perspective.

 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychological condition that manifests as uncontrollable repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that a person feels compelled to perform to alleviate anxiety resulting from those obsessions. Islam encourages us to overcome OCD by relying on God and following the teachings of the religion. In this article, we will discuss the concept of OCD, its types, causes, symptoms, and treatment, with a focus on the Islamic perspective.

Types of OCD:

1. **Intrusive Thoughts:** These are repetitive thoughts that control a person despite their desire to dismiss them, such as fear of illness, fear of death, or harming others.

2. **Compulsive Behaviors:** These are behaviors such as repeatedly checking if doors are locked or cleaning something multiple times or excessive handwashing.

3. **Religious Obsession:** These are excessive doubts related to religious matters, such as purity, performing acts of worship, or issues in prayer, among others.

4. **Health Obsession:** This involves an exaggerated fear of diseases and infections, even from non-contagious things, and fear of developing health problems.

What is OCD in Islam:

Islam considers OCD to often be the work of the devil, as he seeks to distract the believer and weaken their faith. It urges us to resist his whispers by seeking refuge in God Almighty; He says: "And if an evil whisper comes to you from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing" (Surah Fussilat: 36). Islam also guides ways to cope with OCD, such as holding onto prayers and frequently remembering Allah, which brings peace and strengthens the heart against its enemy.

Causes of Obsession

Biological Factors: Research shows that the cause of obsession may be an imbalance in brain chemistry, particularly in serotonin. This imbalance leads to the emergence of obsessive thoughts.

Psychological and Social Factors: Psychological stress, trauma, and negative experiences can also contribute to the emergence of obsessive thoughts, as they weaken a person's character and make it easy for them to be infiltrated by demonic whispers.

Spiritual Factors: One of the causes of religious obsession is ignorance of certain legal rulings, or the influence of the devil intruding into a person's body, leading to an increase in obsessive thoughts in a person affected by possession.

Symptoms of Obsession

Repetitive Thoughts: Such as excessive fear of something or a constant feeling of doubt in what you do throughout your day, whether indoors or outdoors.

Compulsive Behaviors: Such as washing hands repeatedly, checking locks repeatedly, or excessively arranging things, among others.

Impact on Daily Life: A person may feel unable to control these thoughts or actions, leading to disruption of daily activities and an increase in stress and anxiety levels in someone with obsession.

Treatment in Islam

Ruqyah (spiritual healing): The entire Holy Quran is healing and serves as the main remedy for whisperings, especially Surah Al-Fatiha, Ayat Al-Kursi, and the two Mu'awwidhat, due to their strong impact in dispelling satanic whispers.

Supplication: This is a powerful weapon against our enemy, as well as seeking refuge in Allah from the devil, such as saying, "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" when feeling whispers.

Remembrance of Allah: Frequent remembrance of Allah places you in His company and drives away the devil, along with daily protections, such as morning and evening supplications, to bring tranquility to the soul and alleviate anxiety.

Understanding the religion: Learning the correct religious rulings is essential because ignorance is a cause for the emergence of whispers, and knowledge empowers you against the devil's deceit.

Other Treatment Methods

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This is one of the most effective treatments, as it helps the patient challenge obsessive thoughts and change associated behaviors.

Medication: Medications such as antidepressants are used to improve the chemical balance in the brain.

Psychological and social support: The role of family and friends is crucial in supporting the affected individual, so it is advisable to seek an environment that helps you overcome difficulties.

Prevention and Management

Early recognition of symptoms: Dealing with whispers early on can reduce their intensity on the patient because ignoring them increases their entrenchment in the afflicted person, and they become a habit.

Improving lifestyle: This involves exercising regularly to improve mental health, maintaining a regular and healthy sleep pattern, and avoiding stress by steering clear of situations that cause significant psychological pressure whenever possible.

Living with God: The closer a person is to God, the further away they are from their enemy, Satan, who causes them misgivings. This can be achieved by maintaining the five daily prayers on time, remembering and supplicating to God, and reading the Quran, among other acts of worship.

Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "The devil comes to one of you and says: Who created this? Who created that? Until he says: Who created your Lord? When this occurs, let him seek refuge in Allah and stop" (Sahih Muslim).

In this hadith, the Prophet, peace be upon him, shows us the effective remedy for such questions that stem from the accursed devil, which is to refrain from indulging in those thoughts and to seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil. One cannot compare the Creator to the created, and whoever wishes to know Allah’s essence should contemplate the Holy Quran and observe His creations to truly recognize Allah.

Patience and prayer: Islam encourages patience during trials and turning to Allah in prayer, which is one of the keys to mental ease, as misgivings are a trial for a person. Prayer is the best remedy, but patience is necessary until the time of prayer's response and relief from this affliction comes.