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Religious Obsession + Anxiety
Hey !
It is related to my mother , she is 57 as of now.
Diagnosed with Sugar ( type 2) , blood pressure ( anxiety related as suggested by a cardiologist), Vertigo ( sometime ago but now she is doing good with it.
Hyperthyroidism ( also diagnosed by the same cardiologist as he is general physician too)
For the last 3 years , she has had excessive religious OCD which is now impacting her daily life. She only talks about God and knowing all this she can't stop thinking about which further let her feel restless and anxiety driven by this. She is not on any medication related to this and no prior appointment to any psychiatrist. I am in a dilemma what to do as of now , as it is hard seeing her like this.
Further, she washes her more often now, the contamination issue is there, also she talks in a very depressing tone thinking she would never be getting out of this. Suggest
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As you already mentioned your mother is a known case of hyperthyroidism, which itself can cause hypertension and anxiety which is more logical than anxiety causing hypertension so basically adequate treatment for hyperthyroidism can settle many symptoms.
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Regarding religious thoughts and contamination, she definitely needs evaluation by a good psychiatrist. if you want my opinion you can contact eight one seven one eight one five six three six.
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Ensure adequate control of hyperthyroidism and consult a good psychiatrist for proper evaluation.
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Hello
It is related to my mother, she is 57 as of now.
Diagnosed with Sugar (type 2), blood pressure ( anxiety related as suggested by a cardiologist), Vertigo ( sometime ago but now she is doing good with it.
Hyperthyroidism (also diagnosed by the same cardiologist as he is general physician too)
For the last 3 years, she has had excessive religious OCD which is now impacting her daily life. She only talks about God and knowing all this she can't stop thinking about which further let her feel restless and anxiety driven by this. She is not on any medication related to this and no prior appointment to any psychiatrist. I am in a dilemma what to do as of now, as it is hard seeing her like this.
Further, she washes her more often now, the contamination issue is there, also she talks in a very depressing tone thinking she would never be getting out of this. Suggest
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"Hi there, I understand that seeking help can feel overwhelming, but you’ve already taken the first brave step. I can guide you with a clear treatment plan tailored just for you, so you can feel better and regain control over your life. You can reach me directly on WhatsApp for quick support on seven zero eight two zero two two zero six two."
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Hi, she needs medicines for the same. Consult online for treatment
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She will need proper evaluation and treatment as her symptoms are causing her distress too. Please visit a psychiatrist either online or in person. Ocd is very much treatable.
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She needs to be evaluated by psychiatrist, take her to nearest Psychiatrist if not possible contact me
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You should consult with a psychiatrist and get her religious ocd treated as well. Most of them recover well. Good luck to her.
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Dr. Mrinal Gautam
Psychiatrist
3 yrs exp
Kolhapur
Your mother is suffering from a treatable medical condition, not a personal flaw or a spiritual issue. The combination of constant hyper-religious thoughts (scrupulosity), excessive washing due to contamination fears, restlessness, and a deeply depressing tone point directly toward Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with comorbid Depression.
Crucially, her existing diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is a major physiological factor; thyroid hormone fluctuations can directly cause or severely aggravate anxiety, restlessness, and obsessive patterns. The guilt and exhaustion from being unable to stop these thoughts have likely triggered her current depressive state. Professional medical intervention can effectively ease her distress and restore her quality of life.
Next Steps
Consult a Psychiatrist: An immediate psychiatric evaluation is the most critical step. A specialist can prescribe targeted medical treatments (such as specific anti-obsessional medications) that safely manage OCD and lift her depression. You can book a session with me for detailed evaluation and management.
Coordinate Thyroid Management: Inform her treating physician or endocrinologist about these psychological changes. Ensuring her hyperthyroidism, type 2 diabetes, and blood pressure are strictly regulated is essential to stabilizing her mental health.
Initiate Specialized Therapy: Once she achieves initial stability with medication, consider introducing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) tailored for elderly patients.
Health Tips
Do Not Argue or Assist: Avoid debating or validating her religious worries, and do not assist her in excessive washing rituals. Doing so unintentionally reinforces and strengthens the OCD cycle.
Offer Gentle Support: When she speaks in a depressing tone, re-anchor her with gentle, non-judgmental reassurance: "Mom, this is just a medical condition, and we are going to get you the right treatment to help you feel better."
Monitor Medical Adherence: Ensure she takes her existing medications regularly. Fluctuating blood sugar or thyroid levels can manifest as sudden drops in mood or spikes in panic.
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Dr. Md Arshad Ayub
Neuropsychiatrist
5 yrs exp
Gaya
This appears suggestive of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with predominant religious obsessions/scrupulosity, contamination symptoms and associated anxiety/depressive features.
The good thing is that OCD is treatable, even when symptoms have been present for years.
Psychiatric evaluation is strongly advised now.
Since she is 57 with medical comorbidities, medication selection should be individualized after proper examination and review of current medicines and thyroid reports.
For consultation, u can directly msg on nine nine three one zero four five zero zero eight.
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