What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is marked by intrusive, reoccurring irrational thoughts or impulses (obsessions). Typical obsessions include fear of contamination by dirt or germs (cleanliness), persistent doubts that some important task was not completed (Did I lock the door before leaving? Did I leave the coffee pot on?), and the obsessive need to have items arranged in a particular fashion (orderliness). Over 3-million American adults have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in any given year.
Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
In an effort to minimize or cope with these persistent, nagging thoughts and decrease the anxiety created by the obsession, sufferers of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) engage in repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions). Typical compulsions include hand washing and relentless cleaning, frequent ‘checking’ (doors are locked, appliances turned off, etc.), and repeated, unnecessary arranging of items on a desk, cabinet, in a closet, etc. Adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) generally recognize that their compulsions are unreasonable, but they feel driven to perform the action which works to only increase their stress and anxiety.OCD is exhausting and frustrating, consuming time, energy and significantly interfering with the individual’s daily routine. It often coexists with depression and other mood or mental disorders.
Examples of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Contamination
- Persistent doubt
- Orderliness/a need to have things “just right”
- Fear of evil/sinful thoughts
- Constant focus on the same sound, image, or number
- Samples of Compulsions
- Hand washing, cleaning
- Checking
- Hoarding
- Touching
- Counting
Getting Help for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
As with all anxiety disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is generally treated with medications, therapy, or a combination the two. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques have proven quite effective for managing the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, in particular, a type of behavioral therapy known as "exposure and response prevention” (ERP). In this approach, a person is deliberately and voluntarily exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts, and then is taught techniques to avoid performing the compulsive rituals and to deal with the anxiety.While this might sound like a terrifying approach to those suffering from an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the negative feelings diminish over time as the patient begins to realize that the compulsions are unnecessary and learns to accept some of the feelings that are associated with refusing to participate in them.
