Understanding and Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Read through the Quick Assessment to the Right. Do you currently suffer, or have you recently suffered from, any of the following?
If you answered “Yes” to these items in the Quick Assessment, you may very likely be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder in which you have unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions). With obsessive-compulsive disorder, you may realize that your obsessions aren’t reasonable, and you may try to ignore them or stop them. But that only increases your distress and anxiety. Ultimately, you feel driven to perform compulsive acts in an effort to ease your distress.
In Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that you have involuntarily and that seem to make no sense. These obsessions typically intrude when you’re trying to think of or do other things. The compulsions in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety or distress related to your obsessions. For instance, if you believe you ran over someone in your car, you may return to the apparent scene over and over because you just can’t shake your doubts. You may also make up rules or rituals to follow that help control the anxiety you feel when having obsessive thoughts.
Quick Assessment
- Obsessions Themes
- Fear of contamination or dirt
- Having things orderly and symmetrical
- Aggressive or horrific impulses
- Sexual images or thoughts
- Compulsions Themes
- Washing and cleaning
- Counting
- Checking
- Demanding reassurances
- Performing the same action repeatedly
- Orderliness
It is believed that at least one in forty Americans suffer from symptoms of OCD. The Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum includes disorders from OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Trichotillomania, Anorexia/Bulimia, Nail Biting, and Skin Picking. Proper treatment begins with proper diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can make the correct clinical diagnosis. Recovering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorders is not simply a matter of sheer will. Most sufferers have been told “just stop” and realized that the obsessions and/or compulsions are unreasonable and illogical.
If you have begun to notice some of the symptoms of OCD, it is probably time for the symptoms to be faced. The best time to do something about the symptoms is now. Don’t lose years of your life waiting for the “right” time. Consult our office to meet with one of our therapists to determine if you would benefit from therapy to regain your life free of the persistent, unwanted obsessions and compulsions.