Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.

**Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)**, sometimes written **Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder**, features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears or obsessions that lead one to do repetitive behaviors, otherwise known as compulsions. These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.

## Signs & Symptoms

Obsessive-compulsive disorder usually includes both obsessions and compulsions, but it's also possible to have only obsession symptoms or only compulsion symptoms.

### Obsessions

OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted thoughts, urges or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety. One might try to ignore them or get rid of them by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual. These obsessions typically intrude when one is trying to think or or do other things.

Obsessions often have themes to them, such as:

* Fears of containment or dirt.
* Doubting and having difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
* Needing things orderly and symmetrical.
* Aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control and harming oneself or others.
* Unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects.

Examples of obsessions include:

* Fear of being contaminated by touching objects others have touched.
* Doubts that one has locked the door or turned off the stove.
* Intense stress when objects aren't orderly or facing a certain way.
* Images of driving ones car into a crowd.
* Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately in public.
* Unpleasant sexual images.
* Avoidance of situations that can trigger obsessions, such as shaking hands.

### Compulsions

OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that one feels driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors are meant to reduce anxiety related to obsessions or prevent something bad from happening. However, engaging in the compulsions brings no pleasure and may offer only a temporary relief from anxiety.

One may make up rules or rituals to follow that help control anxiety when one is having obsessive thoughts. These compulsions are excessive and often are not realistically related to the problem they're intended to fix.

As wish obsessions, compulsions typically have themes, such as:

* Washing and cleaning.
* Checking.
* Counting.
* Orderliness.
* Following a strict routine.
* Demanding reassurance.

Examples of compulsions include:

* Hand-washing until the skin becomes raw.
* Checking doors repeatedly to make sure they're locked.
* Checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off.
* Counting in a certain pattern.
* Silently repeating a prayer, word or phrase.
* Arranging canned goods to face the same way.

## Causes

The exact cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder is unknown, but researches believe that activity in several portions of the brain is responsible. More specifically, these areas of the brain may not respond normally to serotonin. Genetics are thought to be another cause.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/overview/

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Obsessive-compulsive-Disorder