Have you ever heard someone make an off-handed comment regarding something they’re particular about and they say, “Yeah I’m just a bit OCD about it.”
Are they, though?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition that impacts nearly 3% of all people across the globe. This may seem like a small percentage, but 3% of the population of the United States is over 10 million people. That’s more people than all of Arizona’s residents combined. It’s also a nearly 1 in 35 rate. You likely know at least 35 people, so there’s a decent chance you know someone who has OCD.
Despite this, our team at Pinnacle Peak Recovery has seen how thoroughly misunderstood this condition is. This can lead to people overlooking their need for treatment, or misunderstanding the condition they’re living with in the first place. Today we’re going to answer all of your questions about the symptoms of OCD so you can better understand how this condition presents itself, how it impacts someone, and how treatment can help.
How Can You Tell If Someone Has OCD?
The condition that is obsessive-compulsive disorder is both oversimplified and grossly misunderstood at the same time. Because the term “OCD” is often nonchalantly used to describe when someone has preferences that might be slightly stricter than the norm, it makes understanding the true condition that much more complex.
The vast majority of people in our society today have things that mean a lot to them, from the exact steps it takes to clean the stove to what order their movies should be displayed. Having a passion or particularity that you adhere to doesn’t mean you have OCD.
So what does?
When someone has a condition such as OCD, it’s one that’s unwilling, distressing, and routinely impacts their life, normally to a detriment. They will rarely, if ever, off-handedly joke about the actions they take. The source of their actions is rooted in anxiety.
This distinction is important to make. As we dive further into this article we will highlight how you can better distinguish between someone who has OCD and someone who doesn’t. First, let’s start with the symptoms.
Recognizing the Physical and Behavioral Signs of OCD
The primary way that OCD presents itself is through thoughts, eventually rolling into actions. These two aspects are known as obsessions and compulsions respectively.
There is no way to make a fully, comprehensive list of every possible physical and behavioral symptom of OCD as it presents uniquely for every individual. We will discuss obsessions and compulsions further in a moment, but first here are some questions you can ask yourself to see if you or a loved one are being impacted by OCD.
- Do you regularly have anxiety-related thoughts about the circumstances around you?
- Do you often feel out of control and worry that this lack of control will cause you to harm yourself or others?
- Do these thoughts and concerns reoccur frequently or on a regular basis?
- Do you feel a need to act a certain way in order to address the fears you have?
- Does acting on your concerns only alleviate them for a temporary amount of time?
What Exactly Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition that was previously placed under the umbrella of “anxiety disorders,” but is no longer recognized as such. This is due to evolving research which has made distinctions between how anxiety disorders impact anxious feelings and how OCD influences anxious feelings.
OCD isn’t defined by causing anxiety, but rather defined by the intrusive thoughts that it creates and the ritualistic patterns that occur as a result. While these intrusive thoughts can be a source of anxiety, they can also incur other negative feelings, too, and aren’t exclusively linked to anxiety.
Understanding the Differences Between Compulsions and Obsessions
To put it simply, obsessions are tied to thoughts whereas compulsions are tied to actions. These two are intrinsically linked but are still distinct aspects of this condition.
Obsessions are distressing thoughts, urges, and imagery that occur without the individual desiring them to. These can be so negative and unwanted that they cause feelings of disgust and fear. Despite this, these thoughts are reoccurring and frequently link to harm occurring to yourself or those you care about due to action or inaction on your part.
Compulsions are actions taken to address the concerns that are linked to obsessions. This isn’t to say that the urges that come from obsessions are the direct actions a person would take, but rather compulsions are the steps taken to alleviate the potential of negative outcomes.
For example, if someone is having obsessions related to burning themselves or others, their compulsion may be related to checking all of the candles in their house multiple times to ensure they’re properly extinguished.
It’s important to remember that compulsions aren’t always logical. The primary example of this is how frequently compulsions come in batches. In the case of the above example, someone won’t be satisfied with one round of checking their candles but may need to check them 3 or 4 times each before they can step away.
What Are the Most Common Types of Obsessions for OCD?
You can probably come to the conclusion on your own that obsessions and compulsions vary vastly from person to person. This can be especially true if someone is dealing with trauma alongside OCD, where their thoughts and actions will more directly stem from the traumatic event they lived through.
Despite this, there are still consistent, overlapping themes when it comes to obsessions and compulsions. Here’s a list that contains a few of the most common iterations.
- Contamination – The fear of germs and getting yourself or loved ones sick often leads to excessive hand washing, extreme precautions when leaving the house, and repetitive house cleaning.
- Violence – Obsessions associated with the concern of accidentally or intentionally hurting yourself or a loved one are often coupled with compulsions related to checking that weapons are properly stored, checking the locks on your house, or seeking reassurance from loved ones of their well-being.
- Perfection – This is one of the most common perceptions of OCD when someone has everything arranged in a very particular way. The obsessions related to this stem from a fear of failure, of losing things important to you, or of other’s opinions of you.
- Religion – The compulsions that stem from religious obsessions are most often related to a fear of moral failing within the religion the person associates with. This could lead to extreme concerns regarding actions they take, following the laws to a T, and fear of doing wrong.
Can Treatment Help With OCD?
Yes, as with any mental health condition, proper treatment and care can give any individual living with OCD the power to regain the control they often feel they’ve lost.
Even though mental health conditions don’t have “cures” in the traditional ways that physical ailments do, this doesn’t mean that treatment isn’t effective. In fact, studies show that proper treatment for OCD commonly leads to a 50-60% reduction in symptoms. Through a combination of therapy, primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy, and additional options such as medication, anyone can learn the skills they need to better manage their OCD.
The OCD Treatment Programs Available Here in Arizona
By starting OCD treatment, you’re taking the first steps towards lifelong healing. No matter how long you’ve been living with OCD, there’s never a point where you’re “too far gone.” You can find results and start down a path where your obsessions and compulsions don’t dictate your every hour.
A proper treatment center will work with you to help determine what kind of care and support you need. This includes the potential for identifying other conditions that could be influencing your OCD, such as trauma, depression, or substance use. There are inpatient and outpatient programs alike that have safety and support waiting for you, whenever you’re ready to take that first step.
With a team dedicated to evidence-based practice and compassionate care, Pinnacle Peak Recovery is here to help you on your healing journey. There’s no reason to wait, so give us a call today at 866-377-4761 to get started.
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