Do You Have OCD?

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What is OCD?

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry; by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety; or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms of the disorder include excessive washing or cleaning; repeated checking; extreme hoarding; preoccupation with sexual, violent or religious thoughts; relationship-related obsessions; aversion to particular numbers; and nervous rituals, such as opening and closing a door a certain number of times before entering or leaving a room. These symptoms can be alienating and time-consuming, and often cause severe emotional and financial distress. The acts of those who have OCD may appear paranoid and potentially psychotic. However, OCD sufferers generally recognize their obsessions and compulsions as irrational, and may become further distressed by this realization.(via http://en.wikipedia.org/)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions).
Often the person carries out the behaviors to get rid of the obsessive thoughts, but this only provides temporary relief. Not performing the obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety. (via http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)

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1. An obsession is an involuntary thought, idea, image or impulse that becomes disturbing or distracting and won't go away. When an obsession interrupts your daily life and prevents you from doing work or performing everyday tasks, it may be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
2. Liking a clean and orderly home is not always a sign of an obsession. However, a person who develops a preoccupation with dirt or germs and cleans constantly — to the point that the cleaning interferes with other aspects of his or her life — may be experiencing an obsessive behavior.
3. Some people with OCD may harbor obsessions around violent, religious or sexual images, even as they find them disturbing or repugnant. A person with OCD may have obsessive visions of inflicting bodily harm or performing sexual acts on specific people, or of defying religious rules.
4. The onset of this anxiety disorder usually begins around age 21 (earlier for males, later for females). However, children can also be affected by OCD, usually starting around age 10.
5. A compulsion is a behavior or ritual that you feel compelled to act out repeatedly. Many people perform ordinary, benign compulsions, such as taking a specific route to work or following a daily schedule. But individuals with a compulsion disorder are so driven to follow these behavior patterns that they are unable to change, even when the behavior has negative consequences.
6. People who constantly check and double-check appliances, switches or locks; clean excessively; or feel the need to arrange or order things in a certain way may have a compulsion.
7. Feeling the need to complete a ritual, such as praying, counting or tapping, before doing any kind of task may be a sign of compulsion. The person with the compulsion feels that performing these repetitive behaviors will somehow give her a sense of control and help neutralize the anxiety created when she doesn't or can't perform the compulsion.
8. People with OCD may experience physical symptoms such as chest pain, nausea, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and tension headaches as a result of their anxiety.
9. Checking the stove a few times after cooking does not always constitute a compulsion. Many healthy adults do this, whether out of habit or forgetfulness. However, if checking the stove interferes with other daily activities, or you are also experiencing physical signs of anxiety, it may be a sign of OCD.
10. Some experts believe (though research has yet to confirm) that sexual addiction is a type of OCD behavior. Some people experience so many overwhelming sexual thoughts that it becomes an obsession. Acting out by having many sexual partners or performing specific sexual acts is the compulsive result.
11. A person who is preoccupied with perfectionism, control and details may have a type of OCD called obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). It's very similar to OCD, but individuals with OCPD are so focused on orderliness and control that they become rigid and shut off to change.
12. Hoarding and saving compulsions are relatively common in people with OCD. Just as a hand-washing compulsion stems from a fear of germs, a hoarder hoards belongings from fear of waste, losing information and attaching emotional meaning to objects.
13. People with OCD take a seemingly normal behavior and make it highly irrational by needing to repeat it over and over.
14. The American Psychiatric Association defines OCD as performing either rituals, compulsions or obsessions for at least an hour each day. These obsessions or compulsions cause a significant disruption in your daily life.
15. Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is traditionally used to treat OCD. This type of treatment combines analyzing a person's thinking patterns (obsessions) to determine how they create the compulsions. Once that connection is better understood, a therapist will use exposure therapy and expose the patient to the stimulus. Unlike before, however, the patient won't be able to engage in the compulsive behaviors she normally would. Over time, this will teach the patient to cope with the anxiety and fears associated with OCD.
16. A person with severe anxiety or OCD behaviors may force friends and family members to follow some of their rituals or behaviors. This can negatively affect relationships.
17. OCD can be very demoralizing and distressing, and people with OCD are at an increased risk of suicide. They're also more likely to abuse alcohol and substances as a way of coping with their anxiety and compulsive behaviors.
18. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are typically the first line of treatment when medicine is involved. And if a patient doesn't show a great deal of progress while taking SSRIs alone, they may be prescribed benzodiazepine or a tricyclic antidepressant. Often the combination of these medicines with CBT is more successful than one type of treatment alone.
19. Men and women are affected by OCD equally.
20. People with OCD are aware their behaviors and thoughts are irrational. However, they cannot think away their disease. Because of this, they also often suffer from shame, and some do not understand they can treat their disease.