By Wesley Gallagher
Of all the commonly known mental illnesses, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might be one of the most misunderstood, or at least most misrepresented diagnoses. In culture, in media, and in everyday conversations, OCD is used casually to describe your mom who is excessively organized, or your friend who hates germs, or your cousin who is uptight about people eating in her car.
While someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder may be excessively organized or hate germs, these are merely small, external manifestations of a complex, multifaceted mental health condition that interferes in many ways with the daily lives of those who suffer from it. Whether you have OCD, know someone with OCD, or simply want to know more about it, it’s important to realize that there is much more to this disorder than you may realize.
So What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Your mom may be obsessively organized, but that doesn’t mean she has OCD. And your friend may compulsively wash his hands after touching something dirty, but that doesn’t mean he has OCD either. So what is OCD then?
The National Institute of Mental Health describes obsessive-compulsive disorder as “a long-lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), engages in repetitive behaviors (compulsions), or both.” In order to receive a diagnosis, you must have significant symptoms that interfere with daily life. Only a little over 2% of the US population has been diagnosed with OCD.
OCD, like any other mental illness, manifests differently in different people, but here are some common obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors people struggle with.
Examples of obsessive behaviors include:
- Fear of germs or contamination
- Fear of forgetting or losing things
- Fear of losing control
- Aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself
- Unwanted or taboo thoughts about sex, religion, or violence
- Need for items to be symmetrical or in order
Examples of compulsive behaviors include:
- Excessive cleaning or handwashing
- Arranging items in a particular way
- Repeated checking of things such as door locks or oven knobs
- Repetitive counting
- Praying or silently repeating words
A person with OCD cannot control their obsessions or compulsions, and the compulsions are often the tool they use to quell the anxiety caused by the obsessions. For instance, if one of your obsessions is fear of germs, you might compulsively wash your hands to attempt to ease that fear. If your obsession is the need for symmetry or order, your compulsion might be arranging your belongings symmetrically in an attempt to fulfill that need.
OCD is characterized as an anxiety disorder, and it often co-occurs with tic disorders, mood disorders, and other anxiety disorders.
OCD is characterized as an anxiety disorder, and it often co-occurs with tic disorders, mood disorders, and other anxiety disorders.
What OCD Is Not
So if your overly organized mom and your uptight cousin don’t have OCD, what do they have? Well, it’s possible they have obsessive tendencies that cause them to fixate on certain details. In fact, we’ve probably all experienced obsessions at times, and some of them might have caused anxiety. But unless obsessions interfere with daily functioning or lead to compulsions, it’s not OCD.
Another mental health condition often confused with OCD is a personality disorder called obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), which is characterized by extensive preoccupation with perfectionism, organization, and control. People with OCPD have rigid beliefs and are unable to compromise with others. One key difference from OCD is that most people with OCPD are unaware that their thoughts or behaviors are problematic. OCPD also does not include obsessions and compulsions, though the symptoms may resemble them.
What Causes OCD?
While scientists don’t know exactly what causes OCD, certain risk factors increase the risk of developing it:
- Genetics – Having a parent or sibling with OCD is associated with an increased likelihood of having the disorder.
- Biology – Brain imaging has shown differences in the frontal cortex and subcortical structures of the brains of people with OCD, and certain biological processes play a key role in obsessive thoughts, compulsive behavior, and the fear and anxiety that accompany them.
- Temperament – Children who are more reserved, have negative emotions, and show symptoms of depression and anxiety may be more likely to develop OCD.
- Trauma – Some research has shown a connection between childhood trauma and OCD symptoms.
- Streptococcal infection – Interestingly, childhood strep infections can cause OCD symptoms known as pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).
Treatment for OCD
OCD is a serious mental health disorder that requires professional treatment, but thankfully with the right treatment you can find relief. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP), can be highly effective at treating OCD, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also help alleviate symptoms.
OCD is a serious mental health disorder that requires professional treatment, but thankfully with the right treatment you can find relief.
Alongside professional treatment, practicing self-care and stress management techniques can help reduce OCD symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or deep breathing can also lessen the anxiety and stress associated with OCD.
The Meadows Malibu Can Help with OCD
If you believe you have OCD or struggle from obsessions or compulsions that interfere with your daily functioning, the best step you can take is to seek professional help. At The Meadows Malibu, we offer an exclusive, private environment for residential treatment where you can be sure you will receive individualized care and the undivided attention of our staff. If you need anonymity, we provide that too.
In addition to the traditional therapeutic techniques centered around our Meadows Model of treatment, our Brain Center provides a range of equipment to help deepen your treatment and calm your brain. Modalities such as neurofeedback can kickstart your journey toward self-regulation and coping skills, giving you new ways to manage your symptoms as you work toward lasting healing. Contact our admissions team today to find out if The Meadows Malibu is the right place to begin your healing journey.