Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people. It is estimated that about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in the US have the disorder. Living with a mental health condition can be challenging, but the proper treatment offers hope for those individuals to get help managing their symptoms.
What Is OCD?
OCD is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are persistent, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. These obsessions often revolve around fears of harm, contamination, or making mistakes. The anxiety generated by these intrusive thoughts can be overwhelming, driving the individual to engage in compulsive behaviors.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to their obsessions to ease their distress or anxiety.. These rituals might include excessive cleaning, checking, counting, or arranging objects in a specific way. The compulsive acts are performed with the hope of reducing the anxiety associated with the obsessions or preventing a feared event from occurring. However, the relief provided by these behaviors is often fleeting, leading to a vicious cycle where the anxiety quickly returns, and the compulsive actions must be repeated.
Generally, individuals with OCD recognize that their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are not rational. However, they continue to feel a strong need to follow through on them. In fact, they may spend several hours every day focusing on these obsessions and performing compulsive rituals. Without the proper treatment, the condition can seriously impact an individual’s normal routine, at work and at home. Treatment gives them hope that they can regain control and get relief from their symptoms.
Is OCD an Anxiety Disorder?
OCD and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, causing many to wonder if OCD is an anxiety disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) includes OCD among the five anxiety disorders. The presence of specific obsessions and compulsions is a hallmark of OCD, setting it apart from other anxiety-related conditions.
The relationship between OCD and anxiety can be understood as a self-perpetuating cycle. The obsessive thoughts trigger significant anxiety, which the individual attempts to alleviate through compulsive behaviors. While these actions may temporarily reduce the anxiety, they do not address the underlying fear or obsession. As a result, the anxiety eventually resurfaces, often stronger than before, compelling the individual to repeat the compulsions. Over time, this cycle can become deeply ingrained, making it increasingly difficult to break without professional intervention.
OCD Symptoms
OCD symptoms can cause even more anxiety, as they interfere with the individual’s ability to function normally each day. Examples of OCD symptoms include:
Obsession
- A fear of germs or contamination
- The need to make sure things are symmetrical or in a perfect order
- Unwanted thoughts seen as forbidden or taboo, involving sex, religion, or harm
- Aggressive thoughts towards others or themselves.
Compulsion
- Ordering and arranging things in a precise manner
- Excessive cleaning and/or handwashing
- Repeatedly checking on things, such as repeatedly checking to see if the door is locked or that the oven has been turned off
- Counting compulsively.
In addition, a person with OCD typically:
- Spends at least one hour a day on their obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors
- Can’t control their thoughts or behaviors, even when they are recognized as excessive
- Doesn’t get any pleasure from performing the behaviors or rituals, but may feel brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause
- Experiences significant problems in their daily life as a result of these thoughts or behaviors.
The symptoms can ease over time or they could get worse. An individual with OCD may try to avoid situations that trigger their obsessions. They may also turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to calm their anxiety. This can lead to an addiction that can further damage the individual’s mental and physical health.
OCD Treatment at Hope by the Sea
Help for OCD and other anxiety disorders is available at Hope by the Sea, a southern California addiction treatment center. We offer personalized treatment for mood disorders and addiction, as we focus on helping you begin your recovery from substance use and mental health issues. We specialize in treating you as a whole individual, so you can embrace your recovery with as much support and momentum as possible.
Please contact us today to learn more about our OCD treatment programs and other services. Our team is ready to answer any questions you may have. Hope starts here!
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