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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by a pattern of unwanted thoughts and/or fears, known as obsessions, that lead an individual to perform repetitive behaviours, known as compulsions. These obsessions and compulsion interfere with an individual's daily activities, and cause significant distress in their lives. It is normal to double check that things are unplugged or turned off, or to even have an occasional unpleasant thought. However, if you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), these obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours become so time consuming that they begin to interfere with daily life. Other types of obsessive-compulsive disorders include body dysmorphic disorder, health anxiety (illness anxiety and somatic symptom disorders), hoarding, trichotillomania, and excoriation disorder. 

What are Obsessions? 
OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted thoughts, urges, or mental images that are intrusive and cause anxiety, fear, or distress. Individuals may try to ignore these thoughts or get rid of them by performing a compulsive behavior. Obsessions often have themes such as: 
  • Fear of contamination or dirt 
  • Doubting and having difficulty tolerating uncertainty 
  • A need for orderliness or symmetry 
  • Aggressive thoughts about losing control, or harming yourself or someone else 
  • Unwanted thoughts including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects 
Signs and symptoms of obsessions may include: 
  • Fear of touching objects others have touched 
  • Doubting that you’ve locked a door or turned off the stove 
  • Images of driving your car into a crowd 
  • Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately in public 
  • Unpleasant sexual images 
  • Avoiding situations that could trigger obsessions (e.g. shaking hands, going out) 
What are Compulsions? 
OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that individuals feel driven to perform. These behaviours are performed in an attempt to reduce anxiety related to obsessions or to prevent something bad from happening. However, engaging in compulsions often brings no pleasure and only offers temporary relief. As with obsessions, compulsions also have themes such as: 
  • Washing or cleaning 
  • Checking 
  • Counting 
  • Orderliness
  • Following a strict routine
  • Demanding reassurance from others  
Signs and symptoms of compulsions may include: 
  • Hand washing until skin becomes raw or irritated 
  • Checking doors to make sure they’re locked 
  • Checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it is off 
  • Counting in certain patterns 
  • Silently repeating a prayer, word, or phrase 
  • Arranging canned good to face the same way 

How is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder treated?

Cognitive behavioural therapy has been found to be the most effective treatment for OCD and generally involves two components: cognitive therapy and exposure therapy. Exposure involves repeated exposure to the sources of the obsession and learning to replace compulsions with other behaviours whereas cognitive therapy can help to address catastrophic thoughts related to obsessions and compulsions. 

If you experience either obsessions or compulsions, you may be suffering from OCD. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 
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