Understanding OCD Symptoms

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Symptoms of OCD include obsessions and compulsions, which can be distressing and disruptive to daily life. The problem with OCD is that the person finds anxiety relief after a certain behavior and repeats this pattern. The pattern becomes a cycle and the person continues to spend more and more time each day in this cycle. A person feels like a victim to the thoughts, urges, and compulsions. Is this you?

Oftentimes, people with OCD suffer for years before getting help. In working with OCD sufferers over the years, by the time they come to therapy, they feel desperate to make a change. Don’t wait too long to get help! There are effective, evidenced based techniques to help people manage their OCD in healthy ways so that they are more in control of their life! Below are examples of signs and symptoms with OCD:

Obsessions: The Intrusive Thoughts

Obsessions are persistent, intrusive, and distressing thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly enter a person's mind. These thoughts often provoke intense anxiety or discomfort. Common obsessions in OCD include:

1. Contamination Obsessions: Individuals with this obsession fear germs, dirt, or chemicals. They may obsessively worry about contamination and will compulsive clean or avoid the fear provoking germs so that this reduces their anxiety.

2. Harm Obsessions: These obsessions involve intense fears of causing harm to oneself or others, either intentionally or accidentally. People with harm obsessions may have graphic and distressing thoughts of violence.

3. Symmetry and Ordering Obsessions: Some people with OCD obsess over the arrangement and symmetry of objects. They may feel extreme discomfort if things are not perfectly aligned or ordered. This is the most common stereotype for OCD. Not all OCD is created equal.

4. Religious or Moral Obsessions: These obsessions are fears related to morality and religion. The person fears committing sins or violating their moral code. They engage in rituals or mental compulsions to seek reassurance or forgiveness.

5. Sexual Obsessions: People with sexual obsessions experience intrusive thoughts or images of sexual nature that are distressing and unwanted. These thoughts may go against their personal values or sexual orientation.

6. Just Right Obsessions: Just right obsessions are characterized by a sense of incompleteness or discomfort unless certain actions or rituals are performed in a specific way. Individuals may feel compelled to repeat actions until they feel "just right."

Compulsions: The Repetitive Behaviors

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that individuals with OCD perform in response to their obsessions. The OCD sufferer hopes that these actions will decrease the distress or anxiety caused by the obsessions. This happens because that particular behavior pattern has worked before. For example, have you ever felt like you washed your hands and saved yourself from getting sick? Or if you tap your desk three times you felt a sense of relief or “evenness”? Common compulsions include:

1. Checking: Repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or other objects to ensure they are secure, even when the person logically knows they are.

2. Cleaning and Washing: Excessive handwashing, cleaning, or sanitizing due to contamination obsessions. This can lead to physical irritation or even skin damage. Have you washed your hands so much that they bleed? You are not alone!

3. Counting and Repeating: Counting objects, repeating words, or performing actions a specific number of times to alleviate distress or discomfort.

4. Ordering and Arranging: Arranging items in a particular order or alignment until they feel right. This can take up lots of time and energy.

5. Mental Rituals: Engaging in mental compulsions, such as silently reciting prayers or phrases, to neutralize or counteract obsessions. We call this the Pure “O” in OCD because their compulsions are not outwardly observable.

6. Seeking Reassurance: Repeatedly seeking reassurance from others that their fears are unfounded, even though they may have already received reassurance multiple times.

7. Avoidance: Avoiding situations, people, or places that trigger anxiety. Avoidance can lead to bigger problems in life.

OCD symptoms vary from person to person, and people experience different combinations of obsessions and compulsions. Recognizing OCD is the first step towards seeking help and treatment, which can include therapy (such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), medication, or a combination of both. If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, it's essential to reach out to me or another mental health professional for support. With treatment, OCD sufferers can manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life!