OCD is considered one of those terms that some people misuse to explain individuals who like things super clean or just arranged. But for those who even have OCD, the negative impact it has in your life may be very real.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder normally doesn't appear abruptly. Symptoms start small and should seem to be normal behaviors to you. They might be triggered by a private crisis, abuse, or something negative that affects you deeply, corresponding to the death of a loved one. It's more likely if people in your loved ones suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder or one other mental health disorder corresponding to depression or anxiety.
Symptoms of OCD include obsessions, compulsions, or each.
An obsession is an uncontrollable thought or fear that causes stress. A compulsion is a ritual or motion that somebody repeats often. Compulsions can provide some relief, but just for a short while.
Obsessions often have a theme like this:
Theme: Fear of germs or dirt
Symptom: You could also be afraid of touching things that other people have touched, corresponding to doorknobs. Or you don't wish to hug or shake hands with others.
Theme: Extreme need for order
Symptom: You feel stressed when items are misplaced. It's really hard to go away the home until you sort things out in a certain way.
Theme: Fear of injuring yourself or another person
Symptom: If you're excited about something completely different, you're excited about hurting yourself or another person.
Theme: Excessive doubt or fear of creating a mistake
Symptom: You need constant encouragement or reassurance from others that what you’re doing is true or okay.
Theme: Fear of embarrassment
Symptom: They are afraid of swearing in public or misbehaving in social situations.
Theme: Fear of evil or hostile thoughts, including distorted ideas about sex or religion
Symptom: They imagine disturbing sexual or disrespectful scenarios.
Like obsessions, compulsions have common themes and symptoms:
Theme: Wash or clean
Symptom: You wash your hands, shower or take a shower repeatedly.
Theme: examination
Symptom: You repeatedly check that the kitchen appliances are turned off or the door is locked once you leave.
Theme: To count
Symptom: They say numbers in a certain pattern out loud or to themselves.
Theme: command
Symptom: You feel the necessity to eat certain foods in a certain order. You arrange all of your clothes or kitchen supplies in a certain way.
Theme: routine
Symptom: You say or do things in a certain way a certain variety of times before you possibly can leave the home.
Theme: Collecting or hoarding
Symptom: Your home is stuffed with belongings you don't use or need, and you possibly can't stop yourself from buying more.
These repetitive routines normally don’t have anything to do with the obsession you're attempting to eliminate and might last for hours.
If you’re thinking that you could have OCD, see a physician or psychiatrist.
The diagnostic process will likely include:
- A physical exam to see in case your symptoms are because of a health condition
- Blood tests to ascertain your blood work, how well your thyroid is working, and any drugs or alcohol in your system
- A psychological test or assessment about your feelings, fears, obsessions, compulsions and actions
Many people have superstitions or rituals or fears that they’ve left the door unlocked or the oven on before going to work or on vacation. If you possibly can control these thoughts or take into consideration them logically, it's probably not OCD. If you possibly can't control them or they take up no less than an hour of your day and cause problems in your life, that's an indication that it's time to get help.