Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a serious anxiety-related disorder in which the mind ruminates over certain thoughts which can only be alleviated by acting on a certain compulsion. One common example of this is handwashing, as cleanliness is one of the most common themes that people ruminate, and it includes both of the obsessive and compulsive elements of the disorder.
In this case, the thought that your hands are dirty is the obsession. Drive to wash is the compulsion. However, you do not need both obsessive and compulsive elements to qualify for an OCD diagnosis.
The obsessions are persistent urges that are “intrusive and unwanted” and constitute an increase in distress or anxiety. The diagnosis of the disorder is often associated with a specifier – What does the individual think about their obsessions/compulsions.
Do they see their thoughts as simply obsession which are irrational and created by the brain, or are they convinced that they are based on reality? Or something in between?
Many obsessions are hard to write off as simply a trick of the mind. For example, we know that our hands are dirty. They are. Unless you have just prepped for surgery, you have dirty hands. But most of use walk around with dirty hands an even lick our fingers after eating without any negative repercussions.
The issue is how much the obsession occupies your thinking and how emotionally disruptive it is for you.
What Exactly Are Obsessions and Compulsions
OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder is an issue that affects different people in different ways. Anyone can experience OCD. There are celebrities with OCD, and many reports on the connection between OCD and anxiety online. The OCD definition, or OCD meaning as its established by medical professionals, comes with a definition of both obsessions and compulsions. Although there are different types of OCD, Obsessive and compulsive actions appear in all cases. Compulsions in OCD patients are rituals or actions that you feel compelled to act on. These compulsive behaviors help you to feel calm in situations where you would otherwise suffer from the symptoms of OCD like anxiety. A person with OCD might act out a compulsion several times in a row. For instance, if you have OCD caused by issues with cleanliness, then you might wash your hands several times. You will get a temporary relief from washing your hands, but that’s it. Compulsions can be either physical or mental acts which people generally feel driven to repeat such as certain body movements or counting. They are often meant to alleviate the anxiety that comes from the ruminating thoughts, but not always, and when they are, the relief never lasts long. The catch is that the more you give in to it, the more the ruminations persist. People who get in the habit of giving in to all of their compulsions end up completely controlled by this disorder. The world Health Organization lists Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as one of the 10 most debilitating mental health disorders. Obsessions in obsessive compulsive disorder are involuntary thoughts, images, or impulses. These thoughts and ideas often occur over and over again in the mind. If you suffer from OCD, you may know that your OCD thoughts aren’t helpful, but you can’t stop having them. That’s where effective treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder comes in.Types of OCD: What is OCD Behavior?
Before we can begin to treat OCD, we need to know what kind of condition a patient has. OCD therapy attempts to address the impulsive vs compulsive behaviors of a person. These issues can range all the way from substance abuse, to a tic disorder. There are washers in the OCD world, such as the patients showing the hand washing signs mentioned above. Some people define OCD as being unable to stop washing their hands due to fear of contamination. There are also checkers that constantly check things that they associate with danger or harm, like making sure an oven is off. Other forms of compulsive behaviors can also arise from unwanted thoughts. For instance, some people develop an obsessive compulsive personality disorder, where they frequently hoard something, because they’re afraid of what might happen if they throw something away. Treatment for OCD attempts to address these response prevention issues. OCD therapy can include support in the form of therapy, medication, and other strategies for dealing with obsessive thoughts. It’s important to remember when searching for the right treatment of OCD, is that there are many different kinds of compulsive disorder. Some come with other mental health conditions to consider, like anxiety disorder, or depression and obsession. People co-occurring disorders may need a different kind of behavior therapy or evidence-based treatment. Some possible symptoms of OCD highlighted by the international OCD foundation include:- Feel of being contaminated by germs, or harming others with dirt
- Fear of losing control, or causing harm to yourself or others
- Unwanted intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors
- Excessive thoughts on moral ideas
- Fear of losing things that you might need
- Order and symmetry requirements
- Superstitions that guide your life (often the case with obsessive compulsive cleaners)
- Spending lots of time washing and cleaning to avoid symptoms
- Ordering or arranging things to ease anxiety
- Spending a lot of time engaging in rituals that might overtake your life and other requirements