Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Key Points
OCD is characterised by:
- recurring, persistent, and distressing thoughts, images or impulses, known as obsessions
- the need to carry out certain repetitive behaviours, rituals, or mental acts, known as compulsions.
Many people with OCD experience both obsessions and compulsions, whilst others have only one or the other. Obsessions are not merely worries about everyday concerns, and compulsions are not simply habits. The symptoms of OCD are often upsetting or embarrassing to the individual and can lead to significant avoidance of situations which trigger their OCD thoughts or behaviours. The repeated behaviours or rituals are generally carried out to reduce anxiety, or with the idea that it will prevent a feared situation, however, the temporary relief provided by these behaviours and the individual’s reliance on them to manage anxiety is actually part of the OCD cycle. As the worrying thought returns, anxiety or distress increases, and the individual feels the urge to repeat the OCD behaviour to experience the same relief. This doesn’t provide a long term solution; however, and the cycle repeats itself.
Symptoms
Common compulsive thoughts include:
- contamination from dirt or germs
- concern with personal safety or the safety of others
- concern with order or symmetry
- thoughts inconsistent with the individual's values, such as aggressive, sexual, or blasphemous thoughts
- cleaning, for example, washing hands or scrubbing household surfaces
- checking, for example, whether doors are locked or appliances are switched off
- ordering, for example, placing objects in a particular pattern or making things look symmetrical
- mental acts, for example, reciting phrases in one's head or counting
- hoarding, for example, collecting old newspapers or other things that aren't useful or of value.
Seeking Help
If you are experiencing similar problems, please contact us.