Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)has three principal areas of focus: obsessions, emotions, and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive, and typically distressing thoughts, images, or urges that frequently enter a person’s mind. Additionally, these same obsessions cause significant distress and anxiety. Lastly, to reduce this anxiety, an individual is compelled to engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts.

Symptoms

Common obsessions include but are certainly not limited to:

• Fear of harming yourself
• Fear of harming others
• Fear of harming self by mistake (i.e., setting house on fire by leaving stove on)
• Fear of getting sick by a disease, infection, or substance
• Need for order or symmetry

Common compulsive:

• Cleaning or washing hands repeatedly (if worried about contamination)
• Checking – ensuring that doors are locked, lights are off. such as checking doors are locked or that the gas is off.
• Counting
• Ordering
• Hoarding
• Needing reassurance
• Repeating words or phrases in your head
• Avoiding places or areas that cause obsessions