Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as defined by the DSM 1V-TR of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), is characterized by repeated, intrusive and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause anxiety.  As a result of this anxiety the person engages in ritualized behaviors (compulsions) that are designed to try to relieve this anxiety.  The obsessions and/or compulsions are usually so strong that they cause significant distress in the person’s employment, schoolwork, and/or personal and social relationships.  As a response to the OCD behavior, a person may develop depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and feelings of worthlessness.

The obsessions of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are recurring, persisting thoughts, impulses or images that inappropriately intrude into awareness and lead to marked distress or anxiety. The person often tries to ignore or suppress these ideas or to neutralize them by thoughts or behavior.  The resultant thought and behavior patterns are often cyclical and can be very disruptive.  Common obsessions include fear of contamination or fear of harming someone.  Worrying about whether the stove has been turned off the stove and making repeated trips back to check, excessive hand washing, excessive cleaning, repeatedly double-checking things, and hoarding behavior are all examples of common Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder behaviors.

The compulsions associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) result from the person’s feeling the need to repeat physical behaviors, like those mentioned above such as repeated ritualistic hand washing and hoarding behaviors. Accompanying these compulsions may be repeated mental behaviors such as counting things or silently repeating words over and over again. These behaviors occur as a response to an obsession and often are done in accordance with strictly applied rules.  The aim of these behaviors is to reduce or eliminate distress or to prevent something that is dreaded.

In one-third of obsessive-compulsive individuals, onset of the disorder occurs by the age of 15. A second peak of incidence occurs during the third decade of life. Once established, obsessive-compulsive disorder is likely to persist throughout life with varying degrees of severity. The exact cause of OCD is still unknown; however, while there is not total agreement on the cause of obsessive-compulsive behavior, recent evidence strongly suggests that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has a significant neurobiological basis.

There is no cure, so to speak, for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD); however, there are several types of effective treatment.  Individual psychotherapy is the most common treatment.  The therapy frequently involves what is called response prevention and exposure. Response prevention therapy consists of keeping the person from acting on his/her obsessions and compulsions.  Therapy is often combined with medications which can be very helpful in reducing obsessive thinking and the subsequent compulsive behaviors.

The more you understand about obsessive and compulsive disorder the better you can cope with its effects. Reaching out for information and assistance can help you live a healthier and more fulfilling life. People who suffer from an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can get help from a mental health professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical social worker. For more information about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other mental health problems, please click on the linked websites listed below.

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