Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive obsessive thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors and routines. Although only obsessive symptoms or only compulsive symptoms are possible, they usually occur together. People suffering from OCD experience uncontrollable, distressing, or fearful thoughts about certain things (such as dirt, germs, or order), which then lead to compulsive behaviors performed as an attempt to relieve worry or anxiety. Just being a “clean freak” or having a fear of germs doesn’t necessarily constitute OCD – OCD is diagnosed by obsessions and compulsions that significantly interfere with daily life.
Signs
OCD symptoms can be divided into obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are described as “ego-dystonic,” which means that although the person experiencing them recognizes them as their own thoughts, they feel that the obsession is beyond their control.
Obsessions that are a symptom of OCD include:
- Extreme anxiety and obsessive thoughts about contamination and germs
- Worrying about accidentally doing something bad (eg, accidentally running into a car)
- Worrying about forgetting something important (for example, forgetting to lock the door)
- Needing things to be in a certain order (eg, placing things symmetrically)
- Fear of social embarrassment that creates compulsions
- Repetitive thoughts or images
- Ability to manage intrusive thoughts
In diagnosed OCD, patients usually spend at least an hour a day dealing with intrusive thoughts or compulsions.
Compulsions are repetitive physical or mental actions that a person engages in to reduce anxiety. Often, compulsions are designed to resist or eliminate an obsession. Compulsions that are a symptom of OCD include:
- Excessive checking (for example, double-checking that doors are locked or making sure no mistakes have been made)
- Overcounting
- Repeated prayer
OCD symptoms can wax or wane throughout your life and are often exacerbated by stress.
Reasons
On average, one-third of adults who will develop the disorder show symptoms of OCD in childhood and are later diagnosed at age 19. More than 3 million Americans suffer from OCD each year, and OCD does not affect one gender more than another. Research has yet to provide an evidence-based, direct cause of OCD. However, the following factors are noted as possible contributors to the disease:
- Family history of OCD
- Abnormal levels of serotonin in the brain
- Experiencing an intense or traumatic event
- Depression
To qualify for a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, someone must have either an obsession or a compulsion (or both), and these must interfere with their daily activities. The person must also recognize the extent to which the temptations and/or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable.
Treatment
OCD is treatable both treatments and medications. Many experts recommend a combination of the two and emphasize only the drug may not be effective to treat the causes of pain. Supplementing these techniques with alternative therapies such as meditation, mindfulness education, or yoga can help with recovery.
Therapy
Psychotherapy is often used to help with OCD. Psychotherapy methods such as Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), involves helping the individual see the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Once this connection is understood, therapists will work with patients using a variety of techniques to change the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that fuel and perpetuate OCD.
A psychotherapeutic method, exposure therapyoften used by experts in the treatment of OCD. In exposure therapy, patients are asked to resist the stimuli in their veins in order to neutralize them. For example, a person with compulsive cleaning may be asked to stand in a dirty room and resist the urge to clean.
Medicines
Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants are commonly prescribed for OCD. All of the following types of medication can help reduce anxiety, but do so in different ways and in different ways side effects and risks.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Commonly used antidepressants for GAD, SSRIs include fluoxetime (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil), and fluvoxamine (Luvox).
- Benzodiazepines: A sedative and anti-anxiety medication for GAD, benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and alprazolam (Xanax).
- Others: There are several other medications that are sometimes prescribed for anxiety that are not SSRIs or benzodiazepines. These include gabapentin (Neurontin), quetiapine (Seroquel), and hydroxyzine (Atarax).
If you believe you have any symptoms related to this disease, see your doctor and discuss the benefits and risks of any medication or treatment.
