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Understanding the Correlation between OCD and TM

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a condition in which individuals experience anxiety due to the inherent fear or threat. OCD patients work hard to relieve the anxiety by performing rituals that they believe will take away the threat. The majority of OCD patients perform rituals regularly to bring themselves peace of mind; this can involve mental problem solving, excessive cleaning and/or checking. OCD patients use all of their energy and time on trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts or experiences. This can even involve something as small as a hair out of place. They become fixated on what they believe to be true and they are constantly distracted by the reminder that the hair is still there and not right, so they pull it out. There is where the problem begins, not ends. By performing the hair pulling ritual, it allows their mind to eliminate the excess thoughts about the hair being where it shouldn't. This is not different than OCD patients that wash their hand excessively; the purpose is to eliminate the thoughts of sickness and disease, if even for the short term. Research has also shown that hair pulling is also linked to self esteem issues with unattractiveness or body hygiene. This variation of OCD, called TM or in severe cases, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) causes patients to spend hours picking out even the smallest of hairs.

If you have noticed hairs that are out of place or odd, and find that the urge to get rid of those hairs is a distraction to your day, then you may have to seek help. Take for example, someone that discovers while at work, a stray hair or area of hair that looks different from the rest of her hair. She tries to forget about it, but the urge to take care of it overwhelms her and makes her lose her concentration at work. She responds in a panic and finds she cannot continue working as long as the hairs remain. This is the type of distraction I am referring to.

Once you have sought professional help, you may find that you are instructed to wear a rubber band around her wrist and snap it every time you get the urge, or actually do pull a hair. Another method used to control the urge is to clench your fist when you feel an urge coming on; the object is to keep your fist clenched until the urge passes. Just like all OCD cases, it is always a good idea to distract yourself and keep your mind occupied. The more you fill it with positives, fun experiences and happy thoughts, the better off you will be in the long run. The obsessive thoughts that plague a patient with TM are no different than OCD cases, however not all OCD cases resort to self destructive behaviors as a result. All variations of OCD take time to successfully control. There is not one thing that works for all people. It is all about trial and error and coming up with something that works for you.