Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.
What are 5 of the main symptoms of OCD?
Common types of compulsive behaviour in people with OCD include:
- cleaning and hand washing.
- checking – such as checking doors are locked or that the gas is off.
- counting.
- ordering and arranging.
- hoarding.
- asking for reassurance.
- repeating words in their head.
- thinking “neutralising” thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder example?
Repeatedly checking in on loved ones to make sure they’re safe. Counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety. Spending a lot of time washing or cleaning. Ordering or arranging things “just so”.
What is the main cause of OCD?
Experts aren’t sure of the exact cause of OCD. Genetics, brain abnormalities, and the environment are thought to play a role. It often starts in the teens or early adulthood. But, it can also start in childhood.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in psychology? – Related Questions
What are the 9 symptoms of OCD?
General warning signs of OCD
- excessively seeking reassurance.
- resisting change.
- spending too much time completing things, getting dressed or eating a meal (longer than would be expected for the child’s age)
- redoing tasks.
- refusing to touch objects with bare hands.
- excessively washing hands, body and so on.
What are 3 examples of compulsive behaviors?
Types of Compulsive Behaviors
- Millions of people suffer from at least one compulsive behavior.
- Common activities that can develop into compulsions include shopping, hoarding, eating, gambling, sex, and exercise.
What are 3 types of OCD related disorders?
OCD was once categorized as a type of anxiety disorder, but now it heads its own group of related conditions.
Other conditions listed in the OCD category are:
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).
- Trichotillomania.
- Excoriation disorder.
- OCD caused by substances, medication, or medical conditions.
What are the 4 types of obsessions as related to OCD?
While all types of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include a pattern of obsessions and compulsions, the obsessions or intrusive thoughts themselves can take on different themes. OCD manifests in four main ways: contamination/washing, doubt/checking, ordering/arranging, and unacceptable/taboo thoughts.
What is the most common type of OCD?
Here are some of the most common.
- Organization. Possibly the most recognizable form of OCD, this type involves obsessions about things being in precisely the right place or symmetrical.
- Contamination. Contamination OCD revolves around two general ideas.
- Intrusive Thoughts.
- Ruminations.
- Checking.
What does OCD do to a person?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (“obsessions”) and/or behaviors (“compulsions”) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.
What medication helps with OCD?
Medications
- Clomipramine (Anafranil) for adults and children 10 years and older.
- Fluoxetine (Prozac) for adults and children 7 years and older.
- Fluvoxamine for adults and children 8 years and older.
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) for adults only.
- Sertraline (Zoloft) for adults and children 6 years and older.
Who is more likely to suffer from OCD?
Boys are more likely to experience the onset of OCD prior to puberty and those who have a family member with OCD or Tourette Syndrome are most at risk. Females are more likely to develop OCD in adolescence and in their 20s. The disorder affects predominantly female adults, male children, and adolescents.
What are obsessive personality traits?
OCPD traits include preoccupation and insistence on details, rules, lists, order and organisation; perfectionism that interferes with completing tasks; excessive doubt and exercising caution; excessive conscientiousness, as well as rigidity and stubbornness.
At what age does OCD peak?
OCD has peaks of onset at two different life phases: pre-adolescence and early adulthood. Around the ages of 10 to 12 years, the first peak of OCD cases occur. This time frequently coincides with increasing school and performance pressures, in addition to biologic changes of brain and body that accompany puberty.
What age does OCD usually start?
Age at Onset
OCD usually begins before age 25 years and often in childhood or adolescence. In individuals seeking treatment, the mean age of onset appears to be somewhat earlier in men than women.
What type of people have OCD?
Specific Personality Traits That Are Prevalent in OCD
Perfectionism: A need to have situations and objects exactly right. Indecisiveness: An inability to make decisions or needing a lot of time to decide. Impulsivity: An inclination to do what feels good at the moment without thinking about future consequences.
What can cause OCD to get worse?
Trauma, stress, and abuse all can be a cause of OCD getting worse. OCD causes intense urges to complete a task or perform a ritual. For those who have the condition, obsessions and compulsions can begin to rule their life.
Can OCD go away?
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms generally wax and wane over time. Because of this, many individuals diagnosed with OCD may suspect that their OCD comes and goes or even goes away—only to return. However, as mentioned above, obsessive-compulsive traits never truly go away. Instead, they require ongoing management.
Can a person with OCD live a normal life?
If you have OCD, you can undoubtedly live a normal and productive life. Like any chronic illness, managing your OCD requires a focus on day-to-day coping rather than on an ultimate cure.
Does OCD need medication?
The need for medication depends on the severity of the OCD and the age of the person. In milder OCD, CBT alone is often the initial choice, but medication may also be needed if CBT is not effective enough.
