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Understanding OCD



OCD is a mental health disorder that affects people from all walks of life, irrespective of age or history with mental health, 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. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages in to attempt to get rid of the obsessions and/or decrease his or her distress.

 Most people have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors at some point in their lives, but that does not mean that we all have “some OCD.” In order for a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive disorder to be made, this cycle of obsessions and compulsions becomes so extreme that it consumes a lot of time and gets in the way of everyday life.

 Obsessions are thoughts, images, or impulses that go through a person's head involuntary. The person often finds them disturbing and they are incapable of controlling them. Obsessions are typically accompanied by intense and uncomfortable feelings such as fear, disgust, doubt, or a feeling that things have to be done in a way that is “just right.” In the context of OCD, obsessions are time-consuming and get in the way of important activities the person values. This last part is extremely important to keep in mind as it, in part, determines whether someone has OCD — a psychological disorder — rather than an obsessive personality trait.

 The word "Obsessive" is a commonly used term in everyday language, and that deters from the gravity of what the real sense of the word stands for. Having certain inclinations towards specific things being done in a certain way, for most of us, doesn't mean we have OCD.

 Compulsions are the second part of obsessive compulsive disorder. These are repetitive behaviors or thoughts that a person uses with the intention of neutralizing, counteracting, or making their obsessions go away. People with OCD realize this is only a temporary solution but without a better way to cope they rely on the compulsion as a temporary escape. Compulsions can also include avoiding situations that trigger obsessions.

 Akin to obsessions, not all repetitive behavior or "ritual" can be classified into a compulsive disorder. The line between the two can be fine, but one way to understand this is knowing that individuals with OCD feel driven to engage in compulsive behavior and would rather not have to do these time consuming and many times torturous acts. In OCD, compulsive behavior is done with the intention of trying to escape or reduce anxiety or the presence of obsessions.

 there is no cure for OCD, but psychotherapy and relaxation techniques have proven to be the most effective. In some cases, the patient may be prescribed a dosage of anti-anxiety medication to ease the symptoms.

 OCD is a widely misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and misrepresented mental disorder. If you suspect you may have OCD, it is best to discuss it with your physician or talk to us.

 Stay healthy, take care of loved ones, and remember,

 YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

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