Recognizing the Signs & Symptoms of OCD
June 1, 2020
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic, often severe psychological disorder in which people perform behaviors (compulsions) to prevent or relieve intense anxiety caused by intrusive, repetitive thoughts (obsessions). OCD is relatively common, affecting about 1.2% of the US adult population.
The signs of having OCD involve obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors to such a degree that one’s life is harmed. Obsessive thoughts involved in OCD are unwelcome and disturbing thoughts, urges, emotions or mental images that intrude into a person’s consciousness. Compulsions are uncontrollable behaviors a person performs to reduce extremely high – almost unbearable – levels of anxiety. Anxiety is the force driving OCD symptoms.
A few common obsessions include:
It’s crucial to understand that obsessions are unwanted, uncontrollable, distressing and recurrent. They are not part of a delusional system; that is, people understand that their thoughts may be unusual, but they are unable to stop these harmful thought processes or their accompanying behaviors on their own. Compulsions accompany obsessions. They are ritualistic, repetitive behaviors people suffering from OCD feel an irresistible urge to perform to relieve the anxiety accompanying obsessive thoughts.
Common compulsions include:
We all have routines and when those get upset, we may feel uncomfortable. That’s an important point: OCD compulsions are typically extreme versions of common behaviors. For example, we know that hand-washing is essential for good health, but most people can regulate how much they perform any task. A lack of an ability to regulate one’s behavior is a hallmark of OCD.
People with OCD:
OCD follows a vicious cycle. In the first stage of the cycle, a person experiences intrusive obsessive thoughts. These thoughts cause an overwhelming surge in anxiety. The person then engages in behaviors that reduce anxiety to a tolerable level, which leads to temporary relief until the obsessive thoughts recur. The compulsive behaviors people perform are not necessarily logically connected to the kinds of thoughts they have.
How Do I Know If I Have OCD Symptoms?
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder find their disorder uncontrollable. It also causes significant problems in their lives. To reach the level of a diagnosable disorder, a person’s life must be severely harmed and affected by their compulsive behaviors. Having the urge to straighten a messy desk or check every lock in the house before going to bed would not meet the criteria for OCD disorder.
Can OCD Go Away?
OCD does not go away on its own. However, with treatment, it can be controlled. There are several exceptionally effective treatments for OCD, including medication, psychotherapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). For those seeking treatment that is pain and side-effect free, as well as covered by most insurance, TMS therapy is the best option.
This blog post is meant to be educational in nature and does not replace the advice of a medical professional. See full disclaimer.
Works Cited
Commissioner, O. of the. (n.d.). FDA permits marketing of transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-treatment-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-OCD.shtml
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). (2020, March 11). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432