Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of OCD and how Individual Therapy can Help
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
According to the International OCD Foundation, 1 in 100 adults in the country have OCD.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition which is characterized by overwhelming intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Someone with OCD struggles with obsessive thoughts that then lead them to carry out compulsive or repetitive behaviors. Performing these behaviors are the only thing that gives relief to the unwelcome, forceful thoughts. If they try to ignore the thoughts and resist performing the compulsions, it can cause distress and signs of anxiety. The cycle of completing compulsive behaviors in order to relieve obsessive thoughts can take up to more than an hour every day.
Having OCD can be exhausting and frustrating. People often experience an underlying uncertainty about themselves and various aspects of their lives. You may feel isolated or ashamed of your thoughts and urges. It can also be lonely if your symptoms affect your relationships with family and friends.
For some people, their obsessive thoughts and the need to perform the related behaviors is stressful and anxiety inducing. They may avoid situations that could trigger their symptoms. You may find that OCD greatly interferes with your day-to-day functioning.
OCD symptoms are often misunderstood and stereotyped. When you encounter misconceptions that people have about OCD it can be upsetting and hard to explain.
Many people with OCD are skilled at hiding their condition. So it may be years before they receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of OCD
OCD usually begins during the ages of 8 and 12, or between the late teenage years and early adulthood. [1]
Common signs of OCD include:
- Changes in behavior during the above two time periods
- Mood swings, irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Repetitive behaviors or behaviors that are irrational
- Constantly asking for reassurance, self-doubt
- Struggling with daily life or taking an usually long time to do daily tasks
- Unexplained, long periods of absence
- Marked change in eating habits
OCD symptoms interfere with daily life and cause distress for the sufferer. The overarching symptoms of OCD are unreasonable, chronic thoughts and the compulsive behaviors that are carried out to relieve the discomfort caused by these thoughts. The obsessive thoughts that plague a person come with feelings of anxiety, fear, disgust, or deep unease. They are often centered around certain ideas. These include but are not limited to:
A preoccupation with cleanliness, excessive grooming
Fear of germs or dirtiness
Ritualistic habits that must be done in order; performing behaviors a specific number of times or a certain way
Needing things to be positioned exactly
A need to be responsible, fear of causing mishap due to not being careful
Adverse reactions to things being changed within your environment
Compulsive behaviors can involve checking things, counting, cleaning, neatness
Repeating specific words, sentences, or activities
Need for excessive reassurance
Self-doubt and constant uncertainty
A common misconception is that those with OCD are only obsessed with cleaning and germs. However, this condition includes a variety of obsessions, such as a fear of violence, unwanted sexual thoughts, fear about safety and security, or fear of causing harm to others by not being careful.
Causes of OCD
There is not a definitive factor that has been shown to cause OCD. Research studies have shown that there is a link between OCD and the following:
Childhood trauma
Personality type
Brain chemistry
Environmental factors and life events
Treatment
If your symptoms are interfering in your life and taking up a lot of your time, it may be time to reach out to a mental health professional. Please remember, OCD is a mental health condition and is not the same thing as perfectionism.
Individual therapy can help you manage your symptoms and better cope. It can reduce the adverse effect OCD has on your mental health, relationships, work, and daily life. Other mental health conditions can arise in people who have OCD. These include anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for the management of OCD. CBT helps to develop healthy connections between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It works to reduce the severity of your symptoms by challenging obsessive thought patterns and improving emotional regulation.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a form of CBT. When ERP therapy is used as an OCD treatment, a client with OCD is asked not to engage in compulsive behaviors when they are exposed to an obsession. The aim of this therapeutic treatment is to eventually give you the ability to face your obsessions in your daily life and resist performing the compulsions.
At Trust Mental Health, our therapists work with their clients to create treatment strategies tailored to their specific needs.
It can also help to find a support group for people with OCD. Talking to others who struggle with similar challenges will help you feel less alone.
When a Loved One Has OCD
Living with someone who has OCD can be challenging. You may find that you are making time for them to go through their rituals and accommodating them. You may have to take on more of the responsibilities of family life. It can be hard to remain patient and understanding.
How To Cope
Research and learn about OCD. The better you understand this condition, the more equipped you will be to support your loved one and reduce the amount of distress and disruption caused by their behaviors.
Encourage your loved one to seek out OCD treatment through a mental health professional.
Try not to get involved in their rituals. This may seem like a supportive thing to do, and may be hard to decrease your involvement and how much you accommodate their behaviors. Stepping away from participating in their behaviors is best done alongside their treatment by a mental health professional.
People with OCD have an anxiety-driven need for certainty. While it may be taxing to repeatedly offer reassurances, patience is key.
It is best not to criticize someone with OCD for their compulsive behaviors.
If possible, try to maintain a calm home environment. Stress can exacerbate OCD symptoms.
Maintain a household routine. Often, family members disrupt their family routines and practices in order to accommodate a loved one who has OCD.
As we often mention, it is important to maintain your own self-care practices. Look after your own physical and mental health. This will enable you to manage the stress and exhaustion that can come with living with someone who has OCD. Practice compassion towards your loved one and self-compassion for yourself.
FAQs
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Trust Mental Health offers therapy to clients all over California. We have three locations:
39899 Balentine Drive
Suite 200
Newark, CA 94560
2033 Gateway Place, 5th Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
179 Von Karman Avenue
Suite 600
Irvine, CA 92614
We also offer telehealth, which is therapy conducted online/virtually. To get started now, click here or email us at providers@trustmentalhealth.com.
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An anxiety disorder is characterized by a pervasive sense of dread or fear. It can involve intrusive and/or obsessive thoughts, to the point where they become overwhelming. An anxiety disorder greatly interferes with a person’s daily life. Anxiety symptoms include but are not limited to: constant worry, digestive problems, nausea, feeling faint, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and racing thoughts. Treatment, such as anxiety therapy, conducted by a mental health professional, can help you manage and cope with your anxiety.
If you need support dealing with anxiety, Trust Mental Health offers anxiety therapy in San Jose and all over California. Contact us today for a free 15 minute consultation. We will match you with a therapist best suited to your needs.
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There are a few common triggers of anxiety attacks. One is a lack of sleep. Another is changes in your environment. A heightened sense of being judged, criticized, or looked at can also trigger anxiety. Not practicing self-care – diet, exercise, sleep – is known to cause anxiety. For some people, stress, social events, work events, and finances can also induce anxiety.
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, social anxiety disorder is the third most common mental health condition, after depression and substance abuse. It is caused in part by low self-worth, and lack of self-esteem and coping skills. Social anxiety is the fear of or nervousness around social situations. It can present as being extremely self-conscious, afraid of meeting or interacting with strangers, and fear that others can tell how anxious you are. Physical symptoms include sweating, blushing, shaking, needing to use the bathroom, nausea, and stomach pain or ‘butterflies’. People who suffer from social anxiety may go out of their way to avoid events and situations that will trigger it. Those with a severe form of the condition may also experience panic attacks when faced with social situations.
REFERENCES:
[1] https://iocdf.org/