Excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to compulsive behaviors. Common
More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging not required Symptoms
Requires a medical diagnosis
OCD often centers on themes such as a fear of germs or the need to arrange objects in a specific manner. Symptoms usually begin gradually and vary throughout life. Symptoms
Fear of contamination or dirt.
Doubting and having difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
Needing things orderly and symmetrical.
Aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control and harming yourself or others.
Unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects Common compulsive behaviors in OCD include:
Repeatedly checking in on loved ones to make sure they're safe. Counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety. Spending a lot of time washing or cleaning. Ordering or arranging things "just so". Let's begin by learning the Four Steps.
Step 1: Relabel. The critical first step is to learn to recognize obsessive thoughts and compulsive urges. ...
Step 2: Reattribute. ...
Step 3: Refocus. ...
Step 4: Revalue. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that affects people of all ages and walks of life, and occurs when a person gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings What Not to Say to Someone With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
"Don't worry, I'm kind of OCD sometimes, too."
"You don't look like you have OCD."
"Want to come over and clean my house?"
"You're being irrational."
"Why can't you just stop?"
"It's all in your head."
"It's just a quirk/tic. It isn't serious."
"Just relax."People with rOCD may experience intrusive thoughts, fears, and anxiety about whether their partner is right for them, whether they are attracted to their partner or their partner is attracted to them, and intense doubt regarding whether they need to end their relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Signs of OCD to Look for
Needing for things to be perfectly symmetrical. Cleaning both the self and the surrounding environment obsessively. Having disturbing intrusive thoughts. Engaging in compulsive behaviors that are uncontrollable. OCD is due to genetic and hereditary factors. Chemical, structural and functional abnormalities in the brain are the cause. Distorted beliefs reinforce and maintain symptoms associated with OCD. Are people with OCD smart?
The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of all the available literature on IQ in OCD samples versus non-psychiatric controls (98 studies), and found that contrary to the prevailing myth, OCD is not associated with superior IQ, but with normative IQ that is slightly lower compared to control samples
