Signs and Symptoms of OCD
Individuals with OCD may exhibit a mixture of obsession and compulsions. Maintaining a normal work, educational, and personal life may be difficult.
Obsessions
Obsessions are defined as repetitive thoughts, urges, or graphic mental images that lead to panic, stress, or anxiety. Some of the most common obsessions include:
- The extreme fear of germs, garbage, or contamination. Some individuals may become slightly panicked in environments like public restrooms and overuse hand sanitizer. In the most severe cases, individuals may become crippled to the point of being afraid to leave the house for fear of becoming contaminated with bacteria or other elements.
- Unwanted, graphic thoughts of sex or harm. This may also lead to compulsive and random periods of self-pleasure or other obscene acts.
- Aggressive thoughts towards others or self. Individuals will speak of or attempt to act on these thoughts in the most severe cases. In these situations, immediate assistance is required to avoid dangerous situations.
- Placing things in order. Individuals will be obsessed with placing things in a certain order, whether it’s alphabetical, color-coordinated, size, or shape.
On the other hand, there is the compulsory form of the disorder. Compulsions are repeated behaviors that a person with OCD feels they must engage in as a response to their obsessions. It’s important to note that obsessions don’t always lead to compulsions. However, as the severity of the disorder progresses, individuals may have less control over the segue from obsession to compulsion.
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Compulsions
Some of the more compulsive behaviors include:
- Cleaning/handwashing. Individuals will repeatedly clean themselves or their hands. This is typically in response to the fear of germs or illness.
- Order/arrangement. Any presence of a group of items will trigger individuals to order or arrange them in a specific, precise way.
- Individuals will constantly check on things, becoming almost hyper-vigilant. Common examples include repeatedly checking to see if a door is locked, an oven isn’t powered, the lights are off, or a faucet isn’t dripping.
- Individuals will continuously count everything they see. Whenever there is a presence of multiple items, they will repeatedly count these items over and over.
Rituals or habits can’t always be considered compulsions. Sometimes, people are just vigilant, safe, or orderly. Honestly, we all double-check certain things and check boxes to ensure important tasks are completed. However, individuals with OCD:
- Can’t control their own thoughts or behaviors, even when they are made aware of the fact that those thoughts or behaviors are excessive or damaging
- Spend at least one hour per day on these thoughts, behaviors, tasks, or activities
- Doesn’t experience pleasure when performing specific behaviors or activities. However, they may feel a slight sense of relief from the anxiety that these thoughts trigger.
- Extreme problems persist in their lives as a result of said activities or behaviors
Another prevalent sign among individuals with mood disorders is the presence of a tic. A tic disorder is defined as short, random movements or twitches.
These may be blinking eyes or other functions, such as facial distortions, jerking the head or shoulders, and bouncing the shoulders.
These are all forms of motor tics. Vocal tics, however, may include constant throat-clearing, snorting, and grunting sounds.
It’s not uncommon for symptoms to start and stop and gradually become worse over time. In certain cases, individuals may attempt to curve their tics and habits by avoiding situations that may manifest their obsessions. Additionally, individuals may turn to alcohol or substance abuse to relieve symptoms.
This makes challenges associated with dual-diagnosis a persistent threat, which further complicates OCD. Understanding the risk factors associated with OCD will help determine additional risks of substance abuse or subsequent mental health disorders.
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Risk Factors for OCD
As stated previously, there isn’t one common cause of OCD. However, certain situations and characteristics may increase someone’s risk of developing this disorder.
Risk factors include:
Genetics
Research has suggested that individuals with immediate relatives (parents, siblings) who have OCD are at higher risk themselves. Additionally, the risk is much greater if the relative develops OCD during their adolescent years.
Elements of the Brain
There have been imaging studies that highlight contrasts in the frontal cortex and subcortical brain structures when OCD is present. It seems as if there’s a connection between OCD symptoms and inconsistencies in certain regions of the brain. However, the connection is not clear, and research is still underway.
Environment
There is a connection between the trauma that takes place in children and OCD symptoms. Again, more research is necessary to solidify these studies.
Because of the complexities and challenges involved with OCD and the triggers associated with this disorder, selecting the proper treatment is vital for long-term recovery. The following section highlights possible treatments and effective courses of action.