Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterised by unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). It’s not uncommon to hear people attribute some of their organisational behaviours to OCD but what is the actual difference between a person with true OCD and a person who is just super organised all the time?

What causes OCD?

The exact cause of OCD is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of factors:

• Genetic factors: OCD tends to run in families, suggesting that there is a genetic component to the disorder. However, specific genes have not yet been identified.
• Environmental factors: Certain life events, such as childhood trauma or a major life change, may trigger the onset of OCD.
• Brain-related factors: Studies have shown that people with OCD have differences in the structure and function of certain brain regions. For example, people with OCD often have lower levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

What are the symptoms of OCD?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists the following criteria for a diagnosis of OCD:

• Presences of obsessions or compulsions: Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly enter a person’s mind and cause anxiety or distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in order to reduce anxiety or prevent negative consequences.
• Time-consuming: The obsessions or compulsions must take up at least one hour per day or cause significant impairment in functioning.
• Significant distress: The obsessions or compulsions must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
• Not due to substance or medical condition: The obsessions or compulsions cannot be attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., drug abuse, medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
• Not explained by another mental disorder: The obsessions or compulsions cannot be better explained by another mental disorder (e.g., body dysmorphic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder).

What are OCD obsessions?

The most common symptoms of OCD are obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly enter a person’s mind.

Some obsessions individuals with OCD can experience include:

• Fear of germs or contamination
• Fear of harm to oneself or others
• Fear of making mistakes or being imperfect
• Unwanted sexual thoughts
• Religious obsessions

What are OCD compulsions?

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in order to reduce their anxiety or prevent something bad from happening.

Common compulsions include:

• Excessive washing or cleaning
• Checking locks, appliances, or other things repeatedly
• Counting or repeating certain words or phrases
• Arranging things in a specific way
• Mental rituals, such as praying or counting silently

What are some common misconceptions about OCD?

• OCD is just a quirk of personality: OCD is a serious mental health condition that can cause significant distress and impairment in a person’s daily life.
• OCD is all about cleanliness and order: While some people with OCD have obsessions and compulsions about cleanliness and order, this is not the case for everyone. OCD can also be related to other subjects, such as order and symmetry, safety/security, religion, thoughts of harm, sexual thoughts, perfectionism.
• People with OCD can’t help their thoughts and behaviors: This is not true. People with OCD may have unwanted thoughts and behaviours, but they can learn to manage them with the help of treatment.

Distinguishing OCD from Obsessive Traits

Everyone experiences obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors from time to time. For example, you may check your door lock twice before leaving the house or wash your hands a little more often than usual if you’re feeling sick. However, these thoughts and behaviors are considered to be obsessive-compulsive only if they meet the following criteria:

• They are excessive: The thoughts or behaviors are so time-consuming or distressing that they interfere with a person’s work, school, relationships, and hobbies. For instance, if you are spending a long time checking and double-checking all the locks on your doors and having difficulty leaving the house for your daily activities.
• They are unwanted and intrusive: You try to resist the thoughts or behaviors, but you are unable to do so. It can feel like an uncontrollable urge that needs to be fulfilled or ‘neutralised’.
• They cause significant distress or impairment: The thoughts or behaviors cause you to feel anxious, depressed, or ashamed, or they prevent you from doing things you enjoy or need to do.

Some of the key differences between OCD and obsessive traits include:

• Severity: Obsessive thoughts and compulsions are much more severe in people with OCD. They may take up several hours per day and cause significant distress and impairment.
• Control: People with OCD often feel like they have no control over their obsessions and compulsions. They may try to resist them, but they feel like they have to perform them in order to reduce their anxiety.
• Impact on daily life: OCD can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life. They may have difficulty going to work, school, or social events because of their obsessions and compulsions.

How is OCD treated?

OCD is a treatable condition. The two main types of treatment are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. CBT is a type of therapy that helps people identify and change the negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to their OCD. Medication can be used to reduce the symptoms of OCD, such as anxiety and depression. Often a combination of both treatments provide the best success for individuals.

OCD can be a very debilitating condition and it can have a significant impact on a person’s life. If you think you may have OCD, it is important to talk to a mental health professional. They can assess your symptoms and determine if you meet the criteria for a diagnosis of OCD. Treatment for OCD is available and effective, so that you can manage your symptoms and live a full and productive life.

Have any more questions about OCD? Let me know in the comments!