Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that affects 2.2 million people in the United States alone. It is characterized by the presence of distressing and intrusive thoughts and compulsive mental or physical acts. OCD can greatly impact a person's life functioning but is treatable.

What are Obsessions?

 

Obsessions are intrusive and distressing thoughts, images or urges that a person feels like they cannot control. They are more than typical worries and are often repetitive and excessive. 

Common obsessions include:

- fears of contamination (e.g., germs, dirt, excretions)

- religious scrupulosity (e.g., thoughts of offending God)

- fear of harming others (e.g., violent thoughts or images, fear of acting on an urge)

- distressing sexual thoughts (e.g., obsessions about sexual orientation, fears of sexual acts towards children)

What are Compulsions? 

 

Compulsions are behaviors (either mental or physical) that a person feels a strong urge to perform in order to reduce stress and get rid of unwanted thoughts. 

Common compulsions include:

- repeated or ritualized hand washing

- mental checking of previous events

- asking for reassurance

- repeated prayers

What are Common OCD Subtypes?

 

Individuals experience OCD in varying ways and generally focus on one or more specific themes or subtypes. Common OCD subtypes include:

  • Contamination OCD: fear of or disgust with germs. Compulsions often include hand washing and avoiding dirty or contaminated objects.

  • Existential OCD: this is characterized by obsessions related to existential or philosophical questions. Compulsions often include rumination or online research.

  • Relationship OCD: individuals with ROCD experience intrusive doubtful thoughts about their romantic relationships. A person may doubt if they are with the right person or if they are actually in love. Common compulsions include memory checking and asking for reassurance. 

  • Hyperawareness or Somatic OCD: this is characterized by a preoccupation with bodily sensations and normal bodily functions (e.g., swallowing, blinking, touching objects). Common compulsions include counting bodily functions, attempting to control those bodily functions, or hyper-focusing on bodily sensations. 

  • Homosexual OCD (HOCD) or Sexual Orientation OCD: this relates to a need for certainty about one’s sexuality. Compulsions often include memory checking or checking for sexual arousal. 

  • Pedophile OCD (POCD): a person with POCD experiences the fear of being or becoming a pedophile. These thoughts are distressing and often cause shame and guilt. A person may experience unwanted and distressing sexual thoughts or images. 

  • Harm OCD: this is characterized by intrusive thoughts and images related to harming others or oneself. Common compulsions include avoiding harmful objects and memory review. 

If any of the above symptoms sound familiar, you may be experiencing OCD. Treatment outcomes are favorable when evidenced-based treatments are utilized.