Comic on OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
From time to time, everyone has a thought that that seems to get "stuck" in their heads
If these thoughts keep coming back day after day, and they start to bother someone very much, they are called "obsessions." When obsessions do not go away, a person may be diagnosed with "obsessive compulsive disorder."
Often (but not always), these take the form of "worry thoughts" ("Am I dirty... did I hurt someone... is something bad going to happen?").
Other times, the thoughts may tell someone to do something that doesn't make sense... these are called "rituals" ("I need to count my crayons ten times before bed every day.... I need to match all my clothes exactly right")
Sometimes, people know that these obsessions don't quite make sense, but they still cannot make them go away
Many people will feel that they need to do something over and over again to try to make the obsession go away. These behaviors are called "compulsions." For example:
If they have thoughts about about germs, they may wash their hands a lot
If they have thoughts about someone they love being hurt, they may check on that person many times
If the thoughts tell them to count their crayons every night, they may do it
Compulsions usually make the obsessions go away for a little while, but the thoughts almost always come back
For some people, the obsessions and compulsions make it hard to focus on anything else, and may take up so much time that they get in the way of other things (such as school and family time)
Treatment can make the obsessive thoughts much less strong and much less frequent; when this happens, the compulsions usually don't feel so important any more, and it is easier to enjoy life
People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) struggle with obsessions, compulsions, or both.
Obsessions are intrusive, bothersome thoughts that occur repeatedly in a person’s mind. These thoughts can take the form of words, images, or urges, and their content can be quite variable. Many people experience obsessive thoughts related to germs; they may fear that touching a “dirty” surface will make them ill or more generally “contaminated.” Other people experience recurrent thoughts involving aggressive acts; these thoughts can be especially concerning when the aggressive thoughts involve a loved one (for instance, some mothers with OCD experience obsessive thoughts about harming their children). Some individuals experience recurrent sexual thoughts, which may also be quite disturbing to the person if the content of the thoughts violates their moral code in some way (such as intrusive thoughts about sexually assaulting someone). Similarly, some people experience intrusive worries that they may have unintentionally hurt someone else without realizing it, such as when a person worries while driving that they may have unknowingly caused a traffic accident. Other individuals experience excessive concern about order and/or symmetry, and when something in their environment appears “out of place” to them, they may not be able to stop thinking about it. While their content varies widely, obsessive thoughts are all related in that they are intrusive, recurrent, and bothersome. They occur frequently, no matter how much someone tries to push them away, and they cause significant anxiety or distress. Many (though not all) individuals with OCD recognize that their thoughts do not make sense on some level, but this knowledge is usually of little help. For some individuals, particularly those who struggle with sexual or aggressive obsessions, their thoughts can be a great source of shame and guilt.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person feels they must complete, often in response to an obsession. These behaviors may provide temporary relief from the anxiety produced by an obsession, but compulsions tend to be excessive and time-consuming, and they generally do not align with what most would consider to be a rational solution to a particular problem. For example, someone who experiences obsessive thoughts about contamination may feel they need to wash their hands multiple times throughout the day-- far more frequently than would be recommended by any health professional, and sometimes so frequently that they actually cause damage to their skin. Someone who experiences harm-related obsessions may need to engage in behaviors to reassure themselves that they did not actually hurt anyone (such as retracing one’s route after driving in a car, to make sure that no one was hit). Some individuals with OCD have “rituals” that they feel compelled to perform on a regular basis, such as counting or arranging items in a particular way. At times, these rituals may be connected to irrational harm obsessions; people may believe that if they do not complete the ritual, something terrible will happen to them or their loved ones, even if the ritual has nothing to the outcome they are afraid of. Other times, the rituals are performed simply because a person will feel anxious if they are not completed.
People without OCD can experience mild versions of the symptoms described above. For instance, many people may get unwanted thoughts stuck in their head from time to time, or become frustrated when they are in a messy environment, or engage in seemingly irrational “ritualistic” behaviors because it makes them feel calmer.. However, for individuals who truly meet criteria for OCD, the obsessions and compulsions they experience cause marked distress and impairment in their day-to-day functioning, and in severe cases can become debilitating and can contribute to depression and suicidal thoughts. Multiple forms of treatment exist for OCD, including medication and talk therapy. Treatment can help decrease the frequency and intensity of the obsessions, and can provide individuals with the skills that they need to manage their symptoms and return their focus to the parts of their life that they find meaningful and rewarding.
***If you or someone you know is having thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider vwith any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.***