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The Facts About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder that can be treated by psychiatric methods. This disorder involves the individual experiencing distressing thoughts and the related compulsive behavior designed to rid them of these thoughts. The individual with OCD may perform repeated tasks or rituals such as repeated hand washing, repeated touching on an object or repeated checking to see if something is turned off. Those individuals without OCD may also on occasion check repeatedly to see if the stove is turned off before leaving the house but they do not do it to the extend that a person with OCD would do it and have it be a repetitive pattern to the extent that it interferes with life.

What are Obsessions?

Obsessions are thoughts and impulses or images that are recurrent and persistent in the life of the individual. These recurring thoughts, impulses and images are disruptive, and inappropriate to the point that they make it so that it is difficult for the individual to function at work, school or at home.

The individual with Obsessive-compulsive disorder does recognize that the thoughts, impulses or images are obsessive in nature and are products of their mind and are not truly based in reality but feel helpless to stop them.

The thoughts, impulses or images that a person with Obsessive-comulsive disorder(OCD) have that fit into this category are not the same excessive worries about real-life situations that those who do not suffer from OCD have.

What are compulsions?

Compulsions are a response to a obsession. They are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person with OCD feels compelled to perform in response to that which they are obsessed with. These compulsive acts have the purpose of preventing or reducing the amount of distress and anxiety that is felt towards the event or situation. The acts are clearly excessive or not usually connected in any way with a rational way to prevent or lessen the obsession.

These obsessions and compulsions and the behaviors that result are time consuming for the individual with OCD. They also cause great distress, may lead to an inability to function in society, difficulties functioning occupationally or in a school environment. Individuals with OCD often suffer from depression as a result of their obsessions and compulsions and the resultant behaviors.

In earlier centuries it was thought that individuals who experienced obsessive thoughts were possessed by the Devil. Today scientists and psychiatrists believe that obsessive-compulsive disorder is an illness in the category of psychological disorders. Scientists believe that this type of disorder may be caused by abnormalities in the brain of the person who suffers. There is some research being conducted regarding some children with OCD that may have been caused by an autoimmune response to the Group A streptococcal infection.

Common Symptoms:

Repetitive hand washing

Repeated clearing of the throat

Counting in specific patterns or groups. Feeling a compulsion to count the steps a person takes or to take a specific number of steps to an object.

Aligning objects in an exact manner

Having thoughts of harming someone and then the need to have a good thought to replace the bad thought about that person

Sexual obsessions or unwanted thoughts about sex such as being overly worried that you are homosexual or a pedophile to the point that you obsess over it

Obsessive fear of bodily contamination by secretions of the body such as saliva, vomit, tears, mucus, urine or stool.

A overwhelming need for both sides of the body to be even in that if the right side of a body part, say the right hand does something then the person with OCD may have an overwhelming need for the left hand to do the exact same thing

There are many possible symptoms and those suffering from OCD will not experience all of them, maybe just one of them or they may have more than one symptom.

The diagnosis of OCD is made by a mental health professional.

A person with OCD feels compelled to do these behaviors in order to lessen feelings of panic or anxiety.

Most who suffer from OCD feel the need to hide their behaviors if possible in fear of ridicule.