Living with OCD: The Symptoms That Might Surprise You

August 6, 2024 PCI Centers

Understanding Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors .OCD is more prevalent among close relatives of individuals with the disorder, particularly when the onset occurs in childhood or adolescence. This familial link suggests a genetic component to OCD. Additionally, research has identified dysfunctions in specific brain areas, including the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and striatum, in individuals with OCD. These brain regions are associated with decision-making, emotional regulation, and habit formation, which are often impaired in OCD.

Obsessions

Obsessions are persistent and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause significant anxiety or distress. People with OCD typically experience:

• Recurrent intrusive thoughts, such as fear of contamination or harm.
• Attempts to ignore or suppress these thoughts through other actions or thoughts.
• Fear of germs or contamination
• Fear of forgetting or misplacing something
• Fear of losing control over one’s behavior
• Aggressive thoughts toward oneself or others
• Unwanted thoughts related to sex, religion, or harm
• A need for things to be symmetrical or in perfect order

Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. These actions are often not realistically connected to the feared event or are excessive. Common Compulsions Include:

• Excessive cleaning or hand washing
• Arranging items in a precise way
• Repeatedly checking things, like locks or appliances
• Compulsive counting
• Praying or repeating words silently

How OCD Impacts Daily Life:

The severity of OCD symptoms can vary, with mild to moderate cases involving 1 to 3 hours daily of obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. Severe cases can be incapacitating, with nearly constant thoughts or actions. Without treatment, symptoms often persist and can become debilitating.

• Avoidance Behaviors: To avoid triggering obsessions or compulsions, individuals may avoid certain situations, which can limit their activities and social interactions.
• Physical Health: For instance, compulsive hand washing can lead to skin lesions, and avoiding medical visits due to contamination fears can lead to untreated health issues.
• Relationships: Obsessions about harm can lead to avoiding relationships, and obsessions about symmetry can delay tasks and affect job or school performance.

Unexpected Symptoms of OCD:

1. Intrusive Thoughts: Beyond the typical obsessions with cleanliness or symmetry, individuals with OCD may experience disturbing and unwanted thoughts about violence, harm, or taboo topics. These thoughts can be highly distressing and lead to compulsive behaviors aimed at neutralizing them.

2. Mental Rituals: While physical compulsions are more commonly recognized, many with OCD engage in mental rituals. This can include silent counting, repeating phrases, or mentally reviewing events to ensure nothing bad will happen.

3. Perfectionism: OCD can manifest as an extreme need for things to be “just right” or perfect. Perfectionism can apply to everyday tasks, such as arranging objects symmetrically, or more complex activities like writing or completing work tasks.

4. Decision-Making Difficulties: OCD can cause individuals to become paralyzed by indecision. The fear of making the wrong choice or the need for things to be perfect can make even simple decisions, like choosing what to wear or what to eat, extremely time-consuming and stressful.

How to Treat OCD:

OCD can be effectively treated using a combination of behavioral therapy and medications.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): This is a form of CBT with the strongest evidence for treating OCD. It involves gradually exposing individuals to their obsessions and preventing the compulsions, under the guidance of a trained therapist.
• Other Treatments: Habit Reversal Training and Imaginal Exposure are also used to manage symptoms.
• Medications: Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for OCD.

PCI Can Help You Manage Your OCD

Living with OCD can be incredibly challenging, but effective treatment options are available that can significantly improve the quality of life. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of OCD, it’s important to seek professional help. At PCI Centers, we offer specialized treatment programs tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals living with OCD. Our team of experienced therapists provides comprehensive care, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), to help manage and reduce symptoms. Contact us today.