Q: I am suffering from a peculiar psychological problem. So many irrational thoughts run in my mind which are affecting my behaviour, my social life and causing a lot of stress. It started as like this - a feeling gradually developed in my mind that whenever I am looking at a women I am observing her breasts. I tried not to look at that but I failed to control and repeatedly looked in the same direction. Due to this embarrassing situation, I started to avoid looking at women while talking to them and began avoiding them. I behave normally till this abnormal thought comes to mind. It didn't end there, I gradually developed another feeling that I may look at the belt buckle of a man when I am talking to him and now face a similar problem as above. Now it has become so bad that whenever I am interacting with anybody I am constantly worrying. I am facing a lot of problem due to this kind of behaviour and also mentally stressed. I want to lead a normal life. Please advise me.

A:You seem to be suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. This is characterised by: -repetitive irrational ideas, images or impulses [like you have] which intrude into your mind and disturb you because you are aware that they are not rational or are bad, - are uncontrollable and cause anxiety - You may try various methods to stop them usually without success. -This may progress to or begin with repetitive acts like washing hands or checking things. -Gradually it affects your day to day life. -It is caused by biological changes in the brain. It may be hereditary, sometimes. -Persons suffering from this disorder often either do not seek treatment or continue with it and therefore keep suffering for years. This is my sincere advice to you that you should go to a psychiatrist for assessment and follow his or her advice and treatment. This illness can be treated with drugs and behaviour therapy, often in combination.