What Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Feels Like
Living with OCD can make certain aspects of daily life feel uncertain and unattainable. For instance, consider being on your way to work, and the entire commute, you are constantly thinking that you may have left the door unlocked, even though you know you locked it.
These thoughts can become overwhelming and cause you to return home to check repeatedly, which can happen every day.
At times, these thoughts and the compulsion to check can occur several times during the day. These intrusive thoughts can be challenging to disregard, to the extent that they begin to disrupt daily life, causing disturbances at home and work.
If you or someone you know has OCD or suspects that they have OCD, it can be helpful to gain a deeper comprehension of the condition, which can foster empathy and provide coping strategies.
What is OCD?
OCD is a mental illness that involves unwanted, repetitive thoughts or images (obsessions) and/or repetitive, ritualized behaviors (compulsions).
What sets OCD apart is that the person is aware that these thoughts and actions are irrational, but still has difficulty controlling them. However, children with OCD may not recognize the irrationality of their obsessions or compulsions.
Although many people may experience obsessions and compulsions occasionally, if these intrusive thoughts and behaviors start to interfere with daily life, interactions, or activities, it may indicate OCD.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) reports that OCD affects individuals of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, with an estimated 1.2% of adults in the United States being affected by the condition.
The core of OCD involves a sense of discomfort caused by uncertainty. Individuals with this condition try to alleviate this feeling through their thoughts, fears, urges, and behaviors. Therefore, treatment for OCD typically aims to help people learn to accept and manage the uncertainties that arise in everyday life.
Are there different types of OCD?
OCD is a complex condition with multiple dimensions, and as such, the symptoms and experiences of individuals with OCD can vary greatly. It is important to recognize that each person with OCD is unique, and their obsessions and compulsions may not be the same as those of another person.
Obsessions associated with OCD may include:
- fear of contamination by germs, chemicals, body fluids, or dirt
- intrusive thoughts about losing control, unintentionally harming themselves or others, or saying something inappropriate
- experiencing unwanted sexual thoughts
- excessive concern with neatness, order, remembering things, or losing items
- existential obsessions involving the meaning and purpose of life, death, and the universe
- fixations on doubting or finding flaws in intimate relationships
Compulsions are behaviors or mental acts that individuals with OCD perform in response to their obsessions to alleviate their anxiety. Some common compulsions are:
- Excessive cleaning, washing, and grooming to avoid contamination.
- Repeatedly checking things like locks, appliances, or switches to ensure they are safe or off.
- Performing a particular behavior or action a certain number of times or in a specific order to prevent harm.
- Rearranging or ordering items until they feel “just right.”
- Mental rituals like repeating phrases or counting in a particular pattern to reduce anxiety.
What does OCD feel like?
Since the symptoms of OCD can be expressed in various forms, the way each person experiences the disorder is different. For instance, one individual might feel intense anxiety and engage in compulsions to avoid death or illness.
On the other hand, another person might repeatedly check locks on doors, windows, or cars to prevent break-ins, fearing that they would be responsible if anything happened because they didn’t check the locks.
Individuals with OCD may feel an overwhelming need to perform certain actions in a specific way or order to relieve anxiety or prevent something bad from happening. These behaviors may seem irrational to others but are essential for those with OCD to alleviate their distress.
For example, a person may feel compelled to open and close a door a certain number of times or may need to finish a task before moving on to something else, such as organizing the garage or creating a yearly household budget.
A child with OCD experiences unwanted thoughts or images and tries to alleviate their fears by performing rituals or repetitive behaviors, just like an adult with the condition. Examples of these behaviors in children might include arranging toys or books in a particular order or touching parts of their body symmetrically. They may also repeatedly ask questions and seek excessive reassurance, such as asking if they will be okay over and over again.
Living with OCD can be extremely tiring due to the constant feeling of uncertainty and the need to perform compulsive actions.
However, it’s important to remember that having OCD and acting on compulsions is not a personal failure and is not related to one’s willpower. OCD is a medically recognized condition with various treatment options available to help manage it.
What research says
OCD’s cause is still being investigated by scientists. As new evidence emerges, there may be new treatment options available. A recent review published in Cureus showed a strong association between OCD and inflammatory biomarkers commonly found in autoimmune disorders.
The researchers suggest that this finding warrants further research to determine whether anti-inflammatory drugs can be an effective treatment for OCD.
A studyconducted on mice with OCD-like behaviors found higher levels of an immune protein called Imood. When scientists administered an antibody that blocked Imood, the mice’s repetitive behaviors reduced.
These findings suggest that OCD may have a biological basis, and new medications could be developed to treat it. However, further research is required to investigate the effectiveness of these treatments in managing OCD symptoms and behaviors.
What’s next?
Living with OCD can be challenging, but there are various ways to manage its symptoms. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), as well as medications like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Seeking guidance from a mental health professional can help assess the suitability of these options.
Additionally, joining a support group can offer a supportive environment to share experiences with others who understand what it’s like to live with OCD.
If you or someone you know is dealing with OCD, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this struggle. OCD is a real condition and while it can be overwhelming and draining, it can be managed with the right treatment.
Additional resources and support
To learn more or find help for OCD, the International OCD Foundation has a list of resources available.
You can also visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness for help navigating diagnosis and treatment of OCD and other mental health conditions.
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