An Overview of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Do you get stuck on certain thoughts that you just can’t shake? Maybe it’s a persistent fear of germs, a nagging doubt that you left the stove on, or a need to have things arranged in a perfectly symmetrical way. These thoughts might push you to perform certain actions or rituals, like washing your hands repeatedly, checking locks over and over, or arranging objects until they feel “just right.” If this cycle of unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors is taking up a lot of your time and causing you distress, it could be Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
At Televero Health, we help patients understand that OCD is not a personality quirk or a preference for being neat. It is a serious and often debilitating brain disorder. Understanding the components of OCD—the obsessions and the compulsions—is the first step to breaking the cycle and getting relief.
The Two Parts of the OCD Cycle
OCD is made up of two distinct but related parts: obsessions and compulsions. It’s a vicious cycle where the obsessions create anxiety, and the compulsions are an attempt to relieve that anxiety.
Obsessions: The Unwanted Thoughts
Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that occur over and over again. They are not worries about real-life problems; they often feel irrational and are not in line with your character. You try to ignore them or push them away, but they keep coming back, causing intense anxiety or distress.
Common themes of obsessions include:
- Contamination: Fear of germs, dirt, or getting sick.
- Doubt and Harm: Fear of accidentally hurting someone or yourself, such as through a mistake (e.g., “Did I run someone over without realizing it?”).
- Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: Disturbing thoughts or images that may be violent, sexual, or religious in nature.
- Symmetry and Order: A powerful need to have things arranged in a specific way or for things to feel “just right.”
Compulsions: The Repetitive Behaviors
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that you feel driven to perform in response to an obsession. The goal of the compulsion is to prevent or reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession or to stop a dreaded event from happening. However, the relief is only temporary, and the obsession soon returns, demanding the compulsion again.
Common compulsions include:
- Washing and Cleaning: Excessive hand washing, showering, or cleaning of objects.
- Checking: Repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or that you haven’t made a mistake.
- Repeating: Saying a name, phrase, or performing an action a certain number of times.
- Ordering and Arranging: Placing objects in a specific order or pattern.
- Mental Compulsions: Silently praying, counting, or reviewing events to prevent harm.
OCD Is Not a Choice
A person with OCD does not want to have these thoughts and does not enjoy performing these rituals. In fact, most people with OCD recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are excessive or irrational. But they feel powerless to stop them. The cycle can consume hours of their day, making it difficult to focus on work, school, or relationships.
The exact cause of OCD is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve issues with communication between different parts of the brain. Genetics and brain chemistry likely play a significant role. It is a biological illness, not something you can control with willpower.
The good news is that OCD is treatable. The most effective treatments are a specific type of cognitive-behavioral therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and medication, usually a class of antidepressants that affect serotonin. ERP involves gradually exposing yourself to your fears while resisting the urge to perform compulsions. It helps your brain learn that the bad thing you fear doesn’t happen, and that the anxiety will go down on its own without the ritual. With proper treatment, you can learn to manage your OCD and significantly reduce its impact on your life.
Key Takeaways
- OCD involves a cycle of obsessions (unwanted, intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors to relieve anxiety).
- Common obsessions include fears of contamination, harm, and the need for symmetry; common compulsions include checking, washing, and repeating.
- People with OCD often know their behaviors are irrational but feel powerless to stop the cycle, which is caused by a brain disorder, not a character flaw.
- OCD is treatable with specific therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and medication.
Ready to take the first step? We can help. Get started with Televero Health today.