What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is chronic condition characterized by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions), or a mix of both. Those affected by OCD often experience time-consuming symptoms that can cause significant distress and interfere with their daily lives. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life
What are hallmarks of OCD?
Obsessions
Repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that are intrusive, unwanted, and make most people anxious.
Common obsessions include:
-
Fear of germs or contamination
-
Fear of forgetting, losing, or misplacing something
-
Fear of losing control over one’s behavior
-
Aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself
-
Unwanted, forbidden, or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm
-
Desire to have things symmetrical or in perfect order
Compulsions
Repetitive behaviors a person feels the urge to do, often in response to an obsession.
Common compulsions include:
-
Excessive cleaning or hand washing
-
Ordering or arranging items in a particular, precise way
-
Repeatedly checking things, such as that the door is locked or the oven is off
-
Compulsive counting
-
Praying or repeating words silently
Other OCD Related Challenges Include:
Not all repeated thoughts are obsessions, and not all rituals or habits are compulsions. However, people with OCD generally:
-
Can’t control their obsessions or compulsions, even when they know they’re excessive.
-
Spend more than 1 hour a day on their obsessions or compulsions.
-
Don’t get pleasure from their compulsions but may feel temporary relief from their anxiety.
-
Experience significant problems in daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors.
Some people with OCD also have a tic disorder involving repetitive movements or sounds.
-
Motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements, such as eye blinking and other eye movements, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking.
-
Vocal tics include things like repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing, or grunting sounds.
OCD symptoms may begin anytime, but usually start between late childhood and young adulthood.
People with OCD might avoid situations that trigger their symptoms or use drugs or alcohol to cope. Many adults with OCD recognize that their compulsive behaviors do not make sense. However, children may not realize that their behavior is unusual and often fear that something terrible will happen if they do not perform certain compulsive rituals. In these situations, parents or teachers typically recognize OCD symptoms in children.
Services
OCD is diagnosed through careful observation and evaluation of an individual's behavior and development. Standardized assessment tools may also be used for diagnosis.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that helps people spot and challenge negative or unhelpful thoughts or behaviors, making it easier to handle tough situations. It teaches you to be curious about troublesome thoughts, see how they affect your feelings and actions, and change any self-defeating habits. CBT is well-researched and is often seen as the go-to therapy for many folks. It works best when it's customized to fit the unique traits of different mental health issues, like OCD.
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP)
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) is an effective type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that helps to decrease compulsions and the distress associated with obsessions. In ERP, you face feared situations (like touching something dirty) with the guidance of your therapist, while also holding back from your usual compulsions (like washing your hands repetitively). It is anxiety-inducing at first, which can make some people want to quit early, but most folks find that their compulsions and distress start to fade as they stick with it.
Medication
At Pleasantville Therapy, we do not prescribe medication; however, individuals with OCD often discover that combining medication with psychotherapy can effectively help manage their symptoms.
