How common is obsessive-compulsive disorder?
affected each year
of all adults in US
average age of onset
OCD patients with serious impairment
OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is generally a two part mental disorder involving intrusive thoughts and compulsions. OCD begins with intrusive thoughts. The intrusive thoughts are the “obsession” part of OCD, and can lead one to feel fear, disgust, anxiety, guilt or other distressing emotions.
In order to relieve oneself from these distressing feelings, individuals sometimes develop “compulsions.” Compulsions are the part of OCD, which are defined as physical or cognitive behaviors that are performed most often in a ritualistic, routine way in order to relieve oneself from the distressing feelings brought on by the obsessions. These compulsive behaviors tend to relieve the stress or anxiety temporarily and will begin again when the intrusive thoughts enter one’s mind again. The intrusive thoughts or “obsessions” are typically not desired by an individual but they are incapable of controlling them. Patients therefore end up in a looping pattern, performing their compulsive behavior over and over again due to the repetitive intrusive thoughts. Some patients may also avoid certain situations or scenarios that could trigger their obsessions.
Symptoms of OCD
If you are experiencing four or more of these and feeling a depressed mood for more than a 2-week period, you may want to seek medical help.
Symptoms of OCD can be difficult to detect because there are many routines that are performed by individuals that are not life intrusive. However, when routines become compulsions that interfere with work, social-life or day-to-day function, this can lead to a poor quality of life. Individuals with OCD may spend an hour to several hours a day on their compulsive behavior. These compulsive activities may need to be performed several times a day every day, and an individual is powerless over them. However, they are compelled to perform these compulsions because these rituals are an escape, and assist in reducing the distressing feelings caused by the obsessive intrusive thoughts. Compulsive behavior may be a physical or cognitive activity.
Other symptoms of OCD are as follows:
- Habits that are repetitive, take a lot of time in the day, and don’t make sense.
- Counting and/or checking things repeatedly for fear of harm or danger.
- Arranging things constantly for perfect symmetry for fear of something bad happening if things are not arranged a certain way.
- Compulsive washing and cleaning for hours a day.
- Having made up rituals for doing things. Fear that if rituals are not performed, bad things will happen.
- Having a poor quality of life and severe disability because the compulsive behavior is all consuming.
Advanced OCD Treatment
If you think you might have OCD, the expert staff at Cool Springs Psychiatric can help. We treat patients with a broad range of disorders and are available to consult with you regarding your diagnosis and treatment.
TMS for OCD
There is more than just medication for treating your obsessive-compulsive disorder.
