Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that is believed to impact about 1% to 2% of the population, according to the American Psychiatric Association (2013). In the majority of the population, OCD is not diagnosed as frequently as other conditions, like anxiety and depression. It is also a disorder that may not be fully understood by many. 

OCD is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted or intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that a person experiences. Most people will experience an intrusive thought from time to time. For people who do not have OCD, intrusive thoughts may pop into their mind, and seem startling or troubling, but then the thought goes away. For a person with OCD, these unwanted or troubling thoughts continue to come back. Examples of obsessive thoughts can include things like: fear of getting germs from touching surfaces, fear of accidentally harming someone, feeling that things have to be “just so” or something awful might happen, and having unwanted recurring thoughts that may seem more taboo (possibly sexual or religious in nature). If a person has OCD, and are experiencing these recurrent and unwanted thoughts, it can cause tremendous anxiety and stress. Often times, the person will try to ignore, suppress, or neutralize these thoughts in some way. In response to the obsessive thoughts, compulsions can occur.

Compulsions, as a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, are the behavioral responses a person might have, in trying to neutralize obsessive thoughts. Compulsions can be rigidly applied, in order for a person to try and calm the obsessive thoughts. For example, a person who has obsessive thoughts about the door being unlocked, when they lay down to go to sleep, might then have the compulsion to check the door lock. This can occur several times throughout the night because even though they checked it once, the obsessive thought can be relentless. The person can feel unsure that they really locked the door, leading to the compulsion to keep getting up and checking.  Another example of a compulsion might be that a person who has a fear of being contaminated by a germ or virus, will wash their hands multiple times.

It is believed that there are genetic factors that can contribute to whether or not a person may be pre-dispositioned to OCD. For people who are diagnosed with OCD, obsessions and compulsions take up a significant amount of time in their day-to-day life. Living with symptoms of OCD can be debilitating without treatment. A combination of psychotherapy and psychiatric medication have proven to be helpful in managing symptoms. Seeking therapy for OCD can be a significant step towards managing and reducing symptoms, and a mental health professional can provide personalized guidance and support, based on a person’s unique needs and circumstances.

Some of the types of therapy that can help a person manage OCD symptoms include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Therapy often involves practicing new skills and strategies outside of therapy sessions. This may involve homework assignments, exposure exercises, and engaging in activities that bring a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Some individuals may respond well to a combination of different therapies, while others may find relief of symptoms through medication in addition to therapy.

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.)