A brief overview of OCD, a mental disorder that is incredibly complex, multifaceted and all-consuming.
OCD is a mental health disorder that is incredibly complex, multifaceted and all-consuming. It’s characterized by a number of errors in thinking called cognitive distortions that can lead to an endless cycle of obsessions and compulsions. It affects people of all ages, taking over all areas of their lives and challenging their beliefs.
A cognitive distortion is defined as a faulty or inaccurate thought pattern involved in the onset or perpetuation of psychopathological states. The most common cognitive distortions associated with OCD are:
This cognitive distortion will push people affected to take misplaced responsibility because of an intrusive thought that they had and will make them take steps (compulsions) to minimize the chances that intrusive thought will come to life.
Just as the name suggest, the thought and the action are fused, together. People affected by this cognitive distortion believe that just by thinking a thought, they will be pushed to do the action.
This is a common theme in anxiety disorders. People who experience an increased need for certainty, when facing even the slightest amount of uncertainty, have a disproportionate response and engage in compulsive behaviors.
In this situation, people affected will overestimate the threat associated with an event or intrusive thought and will underestimate their capacity to deal which such threat triggering avoidance.
Obsessions are frequently recurring, unwanted “intrusive thoughts” that trigger extreme anxiety that gets in the way of day-to-day life.
This common OCD subtype is defined by a person's intense fear of germs, getting sick or spreading illness that triggers anxiety and distress.
Also called “Just right OCD”, this subtype refers to ongoing intrusive thoughts around organization, symmetry, perfection, written or verbal communication, physical sensation, and making things “just right”.
Fear of acting out in OCD is the fear of making unwanted behavioral decisions that results in harm to yourself or others. The most common obsessions are related to aggression, sexuality, religion and morality.
Harm OCD causes intrusive aggressive thoughts to harm oneself or others which makes this OCD subtype especially confusing and frightening. People with harm OCD fear losing their identity and sense of self and acting on their impulses.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or thoughts used with the intention of neutralizing, counteracting, or making obsessions go away.
For those struggling with contamination OCD, compulsions manifest as obsessive cleaning as a way to stave off anxiety and fear.
Common with Perfectionism OCD, this compulsive behavior manifest as the urge to repetitively arrange, organize, or line up of objects until the end result feels "just right."
People experiencing mental compulsions are usually trying to cope with thoughts that they deem unacceptable, either religious, sexual, or harming.
A common compulsion, checking in OCD is the urge to check things repeatedly or perform routines for at least an hour each day as a way to relieve anxiety and make obsessions go away.
While the exact cause of OCD is not yet known, research points toward biological and genetic theories involving brain abnormalities and differences in genes. Studies of the serotonin system, a faulty brain circuit incapable of turning off impulses and cognitive behavioral theories are also gaining traction.
There’s a whole world of people out there who are tortured by their thoughts, afraid to get help and unable to tell even their own families. This is what it’s really like to live with OCD.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP), is considered the gold standard and the most effective treatment method for OCD.
Medication can be an effective treatment for OCD. It can only be prescribed by a licensed medical professional and should be part of a treatment plan created together with a trained therapist.
Learning to live with OCD looks different for every person. While only trained therapists can diagnose and treat OCD, there are little changes that might help with breaking the obsession compulsion cycle.
Disclaimer: This is an informational website. It’s not meant to be used as a diagnostic or treatment tool. OCD can only be diagnosed and treated by trained therapists.
