Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, who evaluates obsessive thoughts as a concept within Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, stated that obsessive thoughts can occur in everyone. Emphasizing that what is important is to manage them, Tarhan made important warnings to prevent obsessive thoughts from turning into an illness.
Uskudar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to the issue of obsessive thoughts, which are mostly used in religious terminology, said, "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) encompasses obsessive thoughts. Religiously, it's 'vesvese,' but beyond that, it's apprehension, delusion, obsession... The word 'obsession' has become more common among us."
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that obsessive thoughts are defined as a malign emotion, and continued as follows:
"In obsession, something gets stuck in a person's mind, and they can't get rid of it. Instead of thinking for one minute, they think for 10, then 15 minutes. They feel sadness 10 times more intensely for something that would normally cause sadness at level one. This thing called 'vesvese' (obsessive thought) is a clinical condition. However, the situation referred to as 'vesvese' in religious literature is more often the whispering of the devil."
Not Violating Boundaries in Human Relationships
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that mixing what is real with what is not real is called 'vesvese' (obsessive thoughts), and expressed the following:
"Where does obsession occur in the working mechanism of our brain? When a wrong thought comes to our mind; a ridiculous thought, one we shouldn't act upon, one that doesn't align with our core personality or values, in such situations, saying no to those malign emotions within us is a skill. Setting boundaries for ourselves, for our behaviors, and not harming others, is a skill. It needs to be learned. Children don't know this.
Just as there are boundaries with neighbors if you live in an apartment, there are also boundaries in human relationships. It is necessary not to violate boundaries in human relationships. Like entering their home, gossiping about them, lying, or doing them harm. A person is not responsible for malign emotions entering their mind, but they are responsible for acting upon them."
We Decide on the Benign and Malign Emotions Within Us, and Then Act
Emphasizing the importance of regulating emotions, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated the following:
"Obsession disrupts the mental balance here. Some people have tics. Their speech is hesitant. There is stuttering. When they move their shoulders, they suddenly speak. What does lifting the shoulder do? It injects an impulse into the brain circuit, completing that circuit. Even in thoughts, when a person acts on learned thoughts, and something disrupts it, reason immediately intervenes and says 'don't do it.' It will analyze and decide on action as a result of the analysis.
So, in fact, benign and malign emotions pass through us; thoughts and feelings merge. They give commands to the prefrontal cortex. To the prefrontal cortex, it says do – don't do, appropriate – inappropriate, valid – invalid, real – not real, safe – not safe… We make a decision and then take action. When this mechanism is disrupted, we call it obsession in the brain."
Why is it Important to Manage Obsessive Thoughts?
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that obsessive thoughts exist in everyone, stating, "Even in individuals we describe as having the highest spirituality, whom we call saints or holy people, there are obsessive thoughts. But such a person is now able to manage these obsessive thoughts; they do not lose control."
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also noted that people can fall under the influence of negative emotions and remain under the sway of obsessive thoughts, continuing, "Life is actually a school. In this school, we will encounter both good and bad things. But we will not forget our main purpose. When we come into the world, it will be as if we have come to a school, and when life ends, we will act with the thought that we will graduate from this school and transition to a better life. When such obsessive thoughts come to a person with such a purpose, they do not turn into illness-related obsessive thoughts."
Pathways in the Decision-Making Mechanism are Like Highways
Tarhan noted that when looking at the brains of anxious and obsessive individuals, disruption in the signal flow of decision-making mechanisms is observed. He said, "Normally, if the pathways in a person's brain are like a footpath, for these individuals, the pathways in the exact decision-making mechanism become like a highway. It develops so much that... molecules related to happiness, decision-making, such as serotonin, dopamine, energy, and thought management, become scarce; the brain's production is insufficient."
By Shifting the Focus of Attention, a Person Starts to Think Healthily After a While
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that the brain expands the pathways in that region for unnecessary matters, and said:
"The same thing happens in addiction. In substance users, there are similar expansions in the brain's reward-punishment system. In this situation, suggestion is no longer effective. Psychiatric treatment is required in this case. It is clear that the biological impairment needs to be treated.
Especially in the last 15-20 years, the contributions of neuroscience have increased. There is a cause-and-effect relationship regarding the functioning of the human brain. The person can no longer receive therapy. This person can't do it. Their brain produces it automatically. They take their child in their arms, go to the window, and say, 'What if I throw them?'
There is also information traffic in our brains. It occurs in the form of chemical signal flow. These individuals block a region with the information traffic in their brains. That area becomes blocked. If we shift the focus of attention, after a while, that area gradually dissipates on its own. So, in such situations, the person starts to think healthily after a while."
Individuals with a High Sense of Responsibility are Prone to OCD
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that some obsessions can also provide benefits, noting that perfectionist individuals can achieve great success if they act in accordance with their purpose.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that individuals with a high sense of responsibility are prone to OCD, adding, "Everyday obsessions like hand-washing compulsion, if in their initial stage, are very easy to solve. One can deal with them on their own."
Tarhan stated that conditions like cleanliness obsession can no longer be remedied by advice and require medical treatment, concluding his words as follows:
"That is, they sit in the toilet for hours, 8 hours. Their hand stays in the air in the bathroom for a day and a half, they go and wash it again. The top of their hand gets sore; they even come out of the bathroom at home, put a sock over their hand, and open doors.
A clinical case… Even these improve. Generally, these individuals receive optimal treatment. I have seen many people who couldn't leave home, washed everything with bleach, and made their children take a full bath when they came home, recover.