What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
OCD is characterized by a set of symptoms that include intrusive thoughts and preoccupations that can include compulsions, such as repetitive behaviors. These symptoms can be stressful, time-consuming, and significantly affect daily routines and functioning.
What are the common symptoms of OCD?
It’s normal to have some intrusive thoughts, but thoughts that cause discomfort, tension, or anxiety for a significant part of the day may be a sign that it’s time to seek professional help. OCD develops when intrusive thoughts (obsessions) lead to repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) in an attempt to relieve the anxiety they cause. Often, obsessions are organized into themes that can include
- Harming oneself or others, or fear of harm occurring to you
- Fear of contamination and not engaging in normal activities, like shaking hands
- Excessive concern with exactness; items or objects not being symmetrical or orderly
- Catastrophic events, like house fires or burglary
- Engaging in illegal acts, violence, or taboo behavior
- Developing a health problem or contracting a disease
People with OCD may engage in compulsions to relieve their fears. These include
- Repeatedly checking things, including forgetting to turn off a stove or lock a door before leaving home
- Rearranging and ordering belongings
- Excessive cleaning, showering, or handwashing
- Counting until arriving at the “right” number
- Seeking assurance from others
- Excessively analyzing one’s thoughts, impulses, or behaviors
How is OCD diagnosed?
OCD is diagnosed through a combination of self-reporting and professional evaluations.
You may also seek help from a psychiatrist, therapist, or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, who specializes in mental health. A mental health clinician may ask questions about your history, current symptoms, and overall functioning.
Obstetricians and gynecologists are often the first point of contact for individuals experiencing postpartum OCD. A postpartum OCD (pOCD) diagnosis usually requires referral to a mental health professional and often requires treatments that include medications and/or therapy.
Open and honest communication with your physician or clinician is essential for an accurate diagnosis. Discussing your symptoms, including excessive worry, fear, or panic, can help your clinician understand the severity and nature of the condition.
What are common treatments for OCD?
Medication may be considered for moderate to severe OCD, especially when therapy alone isn’t sufficient. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants are considered first-line medications for OCD.
Therapy is tailored to the patient’s needs and can help build coping skills, communication, and self-awareness to manage stress and emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help identify and challenge negative thinking patterns. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy can be an effective treatment for OCD. ERP gradually exposes an individual to their fears and helps them develop skills to prevent their compulsions. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may be helpful for OCD symptoms related to traumatic experiences.
Some people with OCD find that therapy alone can help reduce symptoms. Other people may require medication. Many people benefit from a combination of both medication and therapy.
