All About OCD

What is OCD?

Chances are you’ve heard the term OCD before, but do you know what it stands for and what exactly it is? OCD stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and it’s a mental illness in which people have repeated, unwanted thoughts. These obsessive thoughts often lead them to have the compulsion to do certain actions, such as washing their hands or cleaning. In the United States, 2-3% of the population is affected, with more women having OCD than men.

What sets a person with OCD apart from a person without OCD?

Unlike those without OCD, those who do have OCD can’t just ignore or dismiss their thoughts. Though they might be aware that their thoughts aren’t accurate, their obsessions cause them so much anxiety to the point where their daily lives are negatively affected. In some cases, people with OCD genuinely believe what their mind is telling them, which makes it harder for them to receive treatment.

What are the symptoms of OCD?

Some people may have only obsessions or only compulsions, but oftentimes they struggle with both. The obsessions are irrational thoughts that are constantly playing in their head. The compulsions are repetitive acts that temporarily help to calm the person down from their worries. As you can imagine, it can be very difficult to live like this. Those with OCD might find themselves checking items such as locks, alarms, stoves, ovens, etc as well as having a fear of contamination and uncleanliness. They might have a specific symmetrical or ordering sequence for their items that cannot be disrupted or else it will cause them distress. Or, they might have violent and disturbing images in their mind that pop up against their will and continue to bother them. All of these are signs that a person may have OCD, but it is important to note that an official diagnosis must be done by a mental health professional.

What is required for a diagnosis?

Mental health professionals (usually psychiatrists, who are doctors that specialize in mental disorders), are the only people who can provide an official diagnosis. They do this based on several factors, and in accordance with the DSM-5. The DSM-5 is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that contains the criteria required for a person to be given a diagnosis for a certain mental illness. First, a mental health professional will order for a blood test to be done to see if any behavior is caused by outside influences like drugs, medications, or other health conditions. They will also evaluate how and to what extent thoughts and compulsions affect the patient. A person must have their thoughts and compulsions take up at least 1 hour of their time every day. This generally means that their work, social life, and relationships are being negatively affected by their symptoms, which is enough for a diagnosis.

Can OCD be treated and cured?

Unfortunately, there is no cure that can completely eliminate OCD, but there are treatment options available that can help patients manage their symptoms. A type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) called Exposure Therapy is a treatment that targets the patient’s fears head on. In this type of therapy, patients are shown images of their obsessions and fears but they are told to avoid using their compulsions to help them cope. You might be thinking, how does this help them in any way? The idea is that by not doing their usual compulsions, patients will see that their fears are irrational and repeated exposure therapy will reduce their anxiety the more they get comfortable. However, for the patients with OCD who truly believe their intrusive thoughts, they’re more likely to reject the option of exposure therapy because of the initial anxiety. If this is the case, there are also other treatment options available. Medications that are targeted towards treating depression have been used as treatments for those with OCD as well, and Neuromodulation can be used if neither therapy nor medications are effective. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA approved OCD treatment that is non-invasive and uses magnetic fields to stimulate neurons. Deep brain stimulation is another treatment that uses electrodes to stimulate the brain.

What are some common misconceptions about OCD and why are they harmful?

In recent years, people have become more aware of OCD but there are still some myths out there that need to be put to rest. Some people believe that those with OCD enjoy tidying and organizing. OCD is very different from simply being meticulous. It’s a serious mental illness that causes patients emotional distress, and its symptoms shouldn’t be viewed as a fun activity for them. Not to mention, not every OCD has the compulsion to clean. It’s not appropriate to say “I’m so OCD about…” because that phrase downplays the seriousness of this mental disorder, and it feeds into the stigmatization surrounding OCD. Another myth about OCD is that every patient is a germaphobe. OCD symptoms can manifest itself differently among people and not every patient has the compulsion to clean nor are they afraid of being dirty. Although cleanliness is a common fear for patients, it varies from person to person whether or not they have this symptom. It’s harmful to assume that just because a person likes to be tidy or is afraid of germs they must have OCD. It’s also harmful to make fun of people who do have OCD for washing their hands many times or having a fear of germs. It’s important to keep in mind that for people with OCD, brushing away irrational thoughts and compulsions is neither simple nor easy. If you come across a person with OCD, now you know a bit more about their disorder and you also know what to avoid saying to them!

Work Sited:

American Psychiatric Association. (2020). What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? Psychiatry.org. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ocd/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

National Alliance on Mental Health. (2021). Obsessive-compulsive Disorder | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. Nami.org. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Obsessive-compulsive-Disorder

Fields, L. (2003, February 7). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). WebMD; WebMD.

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder

4 Myths About OCD. (2016). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201605/4-myths-about-ocd

DSM-5. (2020). Psychiatry.org. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm

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