PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental illness characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. OCD is a chronic and debilitating mental illness that has a negative effect on the lives of those affected by this disorder. A person who has been diagnosed with OCD suffers from persistent obsessions and/or compulsions that interfere with all aspects of life such as their personal relationships, jobs, and everyday lives. It affects each person differently, with one of the most common issues being difficulty in maintaining relationships. This study used a qualitative method via semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis. Patients' experiences in encountering problems caused by OCD were then identified, such as turbulent interpersonal relationships with relatives and difficulty communicating. The study used purposive sampling and had a sample of twenty-four patients with OCD. The patients were recruited from the Farshchian Hospital's psychiatry department in Hamadan, Iran from May to October 2017. The sampling was continued until the authors reached data saturation in which no new information was obtainable from the patients. The analysis identified four major themes: (1) communication problems in family relationships; (2) dysfunctional spousal relationships; (3) relationship problems with friends and community; and (4) communication problems within their work environment. The participants viewed OCD as a disorder that unfavourably affected their family and personal relationships, education, and occupations. When patients experience negative responses from family and friends in their attempts to communicate, their health is threatened. The patients become at risk for failure in therapeutic treatment, with the possibility of increased severity or recurrence of OCD symptoms.