Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) | Counseling Center | BYU-Idaho

# OCD

Learn about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder symptoms, behaviors, and treatments for those dealing with OCD.

If you are at imminent risk for self-harm please go to the Madison Memorial Emergency Room. For individuals who are at risk for harming themselves or are having a similar significant crisis, please text or call 988 to access the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

## What is OCD?

**Adapted from the DSM-5 by the American Psychiatric Association**

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a rather common mental disorder (2-3% of the population in the U.S.) with a strong neurological link. It is a disorder characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive, undesirable, uncontrollable persistent thoughts, including images, internal commands, even urges, that initially cause significant anxiety and distress for individuals who experience them. Typically, people make every effort to neutralize or dismiss those thoughts with behaviors they may repeat over and over in order to reduce anxiety. The most common categories of obsessions include aggression/violence, sexual themes, sins, and religious issues, superstitions, hoarding, or contamination. The most important thing to remember is that obsessive thoughts are UNWANTED. They do not mirror the sufferer's value system (i.e. what they "think in their heart"). Ironically, it's quite the opposite: Often, OCD "attacks" the most precious values of someone with OCD. For instance, a priest may obsess about being a child molester when all of their life they've defended the cause of children; or a student may obsess about being a cheat when all of their life they've strived to be honest.

Some individuals only experience obsessions without compulsive urges to do something about them.

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that people feel driven to perform in response to obsessions OR according to rigid rules that they must immediately enforce. The aim is to reduce anxiety or distress or prevent some dreaded event or situation. However, these behaviors are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize/prevent or are clearly excessive. Examples include frequent hand-washing to the point of bleeding, checking and rechecking multiple times the same door lock, repeated confessions for the same perceived sin, repeating words silently multiple times, saying the same prayer unceasingly. Note some compulsions are mental acts, therefore not visible to observers and frequently unrecognized for a long time. They can feel automatic and involuntary.

Some individuals only experience compulsions without obsessing first. However, compulsions are always a way to reduce distress and anxiety about perceived threats.

OCD can be time-consuming and/or cause significant distress or impairment in social, academic, personal, and/or other important areas of life.

## Treatment

Fortunately, treatment for OCD is available from both fields of medicine and behavior therapy. Simple and commonly used medications may reduce the severity and frequency of obsessive thoughts and compulsions. Counseling can help individuals understand what OCD is and how it works, thus removing the guilt that often plagues individuals, establish new responses to unwanted thoughts, decrease the impact of those thoughts, allowing people to move on with their lives. With treatment, individuals acquire tools for life in case OCD thoughts and actions start to creep in again. The sooner a person is able to apply learned strategies, the quicker OCD will dissipate.

## Additional Resources

The following resources are not created, maintained, or controlled by BYU-Idaho and are intended to serve as an educational resource. BYU-Idaho does not endorse any content that is not in keeping with university policy or doctrines and teaching of the Church.

Therapist Aid

Counseling and treatment's for those dealing with OCD. 

Learn More About OCD

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Resources for recognizing and managing your mental health. 
 
Find Resources for OCD

International OCD Foundation

International OCD Foundation serves to help spread awareness and aid for those that suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 
 
Find Help and Learn

## Books

Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior

Schwartz, J. (2016) 
New York Harper Collins

Stop Obsessing! How to Overcome Your Obsessions and
Compulsions

Foa, E. & Wilson, R. (2001) 
New York Bantam Books

Stopping the Noise in Your Head: The New Way to Overcome Anxiety and
Worry

Wilson, R. (2016) 
Deerfield Beach FL. Health Communications, Inc

TAO (Therapy Assistance Online)

The following treatment focuses on letting go of thoughts and feelings in general and moving on with life. 
-Let Go and Be Well (overview of depression may be skipped) 
 
Visit TAO