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What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by a recurring pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsession) that cause a person to carry out repetitive behaviours (compulsions) to soothe these fears. These obsessions and compulsions can interfere with daily activities and can cause significant stress to a person's life.
When a person tries to ignore their obsessions, it can often lead to anxiety or distress. Despite efforts to ignore or remove these thoughts, they often come back which is why OCD can be a vicious cycle to break. OCD can sometimes occur due to stress or trauma happening in a person's life and can occur alongside PTSD.
Common ExperienceS
Common ExperienceS
Symptoms for OCD usually include both obsession symptoms and compulsion symptoms. It is common that people feel the need to react or carry out a behaviour in response to their obsession. However, there are cases where symptoms are present for only obsessions or compulsions but the condition is still OCD - this can be called 'Pure O'.
OCD obsessions are repetitive and persistent unwanted thoughts that are highly intrusive and it can feel difficult to ignore them. Obsessions often have themes around them, such as:
Fear of germs or contamination
Having difficulty with managing uncertainty
Needing things to be in order/symmetrical
Impulsive thoughts about losing control or harming yourself or others
Unwanted aggressive or sexual thoughts
Excessive thoughts about morality, good and evil, or religious beliefs which cause distress
Fear of being contaminated by germs through touching objects
High stress levels when objects aren’t in the correct placement/order
Doubting you have locked your door or turned the oven off
Thoughts of driving your car into a crowd of people
Avoidance of situation that can trigger obsessions, for example shaking hands
Obsessions & Compulsions
Obsessions & Compulsions
OCD compulsions are behaviours or thoughts that are repeated with the goal of easing anxiety or preventing something bad from happening. However, these actions and thoughts only provide temporary relief and anxieties can come back.
It is common for people with OCD to create rituals that help with obsessive thoughts. Often, these rituals have very little to do with the problem they are supposed to fix.
Similar to obsessions, compulsions typically have themes as well:
Washing and cleaning
Checking
Counting
Orderliness
Following a strict routine
Demanding reassurance
Examples of compulsions can include:
Washing your hands until they bleed
Counting inside your head until an activity feels 'right'
Checking door repeatedly to make sure they are locked
Repeating a word or phrase
If you feel like you are struggling with anything you have read or any other aspect of mental health, then there are services out there that can help. If you need to talk to someone you can sign up here for our peer coaching service.
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