Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common anxiety disorder. It causes unreasonable thoughts, fears, or worries. A person with OCD tries to manage these thoughts through rituals.
Frequent disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions. They are irrational and can cause great anxiety. Reasoning doesn’t help control the thoughts. Rituals or compulsions are actions that help stop or ease the obsessive thoughts.
What causes OCD?
Genetics, brain abnormalities, and the environment are thought to play a role. It often starts in the teens or early adulthood. But, it can also start in childhood. OCD affects men and women equally. It appears to run in families.
Other anxiety problems, depression, eating disorders, or substance use disorder may happen with OCD.
What are the symptoms of OCD?
Obsessions are unfounded thoughts, fears, or worries. They happen often and cause great anxiety. Reasoning does not help control the obsessions. Common obsessions are:
A strong fixation with dirt or germs
Repeated doubts (for example, about having turned off the stove)
A need to have things in a very specific order
Thoughts about violence or hurting someone
Spending long periods of time touching things or counting
Fixation with order or symmetry
Persistent thoughts of awful sexual acts
Troubled by thoughts that are against personal religious beliefs
While you may know that the thoughts are unreasonable and not due to real-life problems, it’s not enough to make the unwanted thoughts go away.
Compulsions are repetitive, ritualized acts. They are meant to reduce anxiety caused by the obsession(s). Examples are:
Repeated hand-washing (often 100+ times a day)
Checking and rechecking to make sure that a door is locked or that the oven is turned off for example
Following rigid rules of order, such as, putting on clothes in the same order each day, or alphabetizing the spices, and getting upset if the order becomes disrupted
Compulsive acts can become excessive, disruptive, and time-consuming. They may interfere with daily life and relationships.
People may avoid situations in which they might have to face their obsessions. Some try alcohol or drugs to calm themselves.