Do I have OCD? Symptoms of OCD and How to Manage Them [Video]

Do I have OCD? Symptoms of OCD and How to Manage Them [Transcript]

OCD stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The International OCD Foundation defines OCD as a mental health disorder that occurs when a person gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions, which are symptoms of OCD.

OCD Symptoms

Obsessions

Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges which spark intense, uncomfortable, and distressing feelings. These obsessions can produce extreme anxiety in a person with OCD. It severely interferes with their everyday life. Some examples of obsessions are contamination fears about germs, disease, or environmental contaminants. Other examples are fears of acting on an impulse to harm someone else or oneself and unwanted sexual thoughts. 

Compulsions

The second piece to OCD is compulsions, which are the repetitive behaviors that a person with OCD will use to counteract or make the obsessions go away. However, this behavior is only a temporary relief until the obsession returns and then the cycle continues. One example of a compulsion is washing and cleaning excessively. Another example is checking for safety or checking that nothing terrible has happened. Repeated routine activities, like coming in and out of doors or sitting up and down in chairs, are also examples of compulsions.

What are some misconceptions about OCD?

The term OCD has crept into everyday language. There appears to be some misconceptions about OCD. Phrases like, “I am so OCD,” is a good example of this misunderstanding. Merely having obsessions or intrusive thoughts does not mean that a person has OCD. You may have worries about someone’s safety, getting to places on time or making mistakes at work. These thoughts may cause anxiety or distress. But the person without OCD can eventually work through the stress or anxiety and get back to everyday life. The person with OCD cannot move on and the thoughts will trigger extreme anxiety. 

And remember the second piece to OCD, which are the compulsions. Merely having regular routines or being meticulous and organized does not mean that one has OCD. The compulsive behavior helps a person with OCD relieve the anxiety. The cycle is so extreme that it really disrupts everyday life. 

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How can I be sure that I have OCD? 

Only a trained mental health professional can diagnose OCD. An evaluation may be beneficial if someone experiences obsessions and compulsions that interfere with everyday life, such as in school, personal relationships, or at work. For more information about finding a mental health professional who treats OCD, check out the International OCD Foundation website: IOCDF.org. 

What are some tips for dealing with OCD?

After getting a therapist, some tools and tips may be helpful in managing OCD. Some call OCD the doubting disease. During the obsession and compulsion cycle, the brain is going to doubt and seek reassurance. The body responds with greater and greater anxiety and can get caught in a flight, fight, or freeze response. 

One of the first steps is really slowing down and beginning to recognize that this is a cycle. Maybe even tell yourself that. Perhaps even recognize that this is just your brain trying to protect you somehow. Begin to notice if you can separate yourself from your thoughts and name it for what it is.

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