OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is term often casually used to describe someone who’s neurotic or very organized. But what does it mean when someone has OCD? Read on to know more about this disorder.
OCD: A Definition
OCD is a chronic anxiety disorder. "Chronic” means that OCD is persistent, lasting, or something that has worsened over time. “Anxiety disorder” is a term that covers different forms of abnormal and persistent anxieties, fears and phobias. It has very distinct observable patterns that can be diagnosed by professional psychiatrists and doctors.
OCD is characterized by obsessive, intrusive thoughts and compulsions, and tasks that need to be done to calm down the distress caused by these repetitive thoughts.
OCD is also commonly mixed up with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. However, unlike OCD, people with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder do not have obsessive thoughts or rituals, but are very much focused on rules and attaining their vision of perfectionism. OCD can also be mixed up with other similar disorders, but there are key symptoms to identify it in a person.
OCD Symptoms
People diagnosed with OCD have either obsessions or compulsions or both at once, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. By themselves, obsessions and compulsions aren’t bad, nor are they necessarily a sign of a disorder. It’s just when they become intrusive to one’s quality of life that they can become harmful. These obsessions and compulsions can be further defined as such:
Obsessions
Repeated and persistent thoughts and impulses, with images described to cause distress and intrusion to one’s daily activities.
The thoughts and impulses are decidedly abnormal and not just a result of excessive worrying about problems that affect one in real life.
There is a necessity to ignore or neutralize these thoughts, usually with other thoughts or actions.
The person recognizes that these obsessive thoughts are not based on reality, and are a product of their own mind.
Compulsions
OCD-related compulsions are usually done as a response to obsessive thoughts and actions that they deem they SHOULD do. These actions have rules or steps that must be strictly adhered to or else they will not be deemed to be done properly. They usually do not give a person pleasure, only reassurance that their fears have been, at least temporarily, put to rest.
One example of OCD, or OCD-like symptoms, is Jack Nicholson’s character in the movie As Good as It Gets. As a cranky writer, his character shows obsessive-compulsive behavior, such as avoiding cracks in sidewalks and using a fresh bar of soap every time he washes his hands. It brings him no real pleasure, but he is obviously distressed when he finds himself in a situation that forces him not to exercise his compulsions.
Living with OCD in Others
If someone close to you is suffering from OCD, here are some things you can do:
Patience is Key. You have to understand that people suffering from OCD cannot help doing what they do. OCD is a 24/7 struggle and sufferers need all the support and patience you can give.
It’s Not Anyone’s Fault. OCD is an abnormal personality disorder. Don’t define patients by their affliction. At the same time, don’t blame yourself or other people when it comes to what exactly started this disorder.
Talk. People with OCD can be very abrasive or rude. Tell someone with OCD when they are causing discomfort to others. People with OCD can also be very lonely or feel alone because of their affliction, so it’s best to offer an understanding ear and have them explain their problems to you. OCD obsessions and compulsions may seem very strange, nonsensical or minor to you, but they are very real to the sufferer and the symptoms really get in the way of their quality of life.
Don’t Encourage the Symptoms. This may sound like an obvious thing to do, but it’s like the case with a bratty child: Giving in to their demands will make things easier in the short term but it is damaging in the long run. Tolerating, adapting and giving way to OCD’s demands will cause less distress momentarily, but makes recovery harder.
Take Their Minds Off It. Encourage other activities. It’s better than leaving them to brood and manufacture more obsessions by themselves.
Get a Mediator. Communicating with a family member with OCD can get tough. If you think you really can’t handle it anymore, better get a mediator like a trusted family friend or a professional psychiatrist.
Living with OCD in Yourself
OCD commonly goes unchecked in children, but become more visible and obvious in adults. If you are suffering from OCD or you think you have it, here are the things you can do:
Get Diagnosed. You may have either already seen a doctor regarding your symptoms or you suspect that you have OCD. Check out the symptoms mentioned above.
Recognize the Pattern. OCD symptoms can be summarized in an obsession-stress-compulsion cycle. If you find yourself having to lock, unlock and lock your doors seven times to prevent you from worrying about burglars, you have to admit to yourself that this is not normal behavior.
Stop the Pattern. This may be very challenging, but self-awareness is key. Ask yourself: Are the stressful thoughts rational or irrational? You can ask a friend of yours if you are not sure (“Hey, I wash my hands for 30 minutes every time I go to the bathroom; is this normal?”). You have to understand that not following the patterns won’t spell out disaster and that you’ll be fine. You don’t want to be a slave to your impulses and fears, so try stopping it as soon as an obsessive thought comes up, or at least don’t impulsively do an action to make yourself feel better.
Get Treatment. OCD can interfere with your career, your personal and social life. When it becomes too much, go see a psychiatrist for treatment. OCD may also be caused by physiological reasons so you may also take medications to help you cope.
OCD does not have to mean the end of a normal life. With the proper treatment and support, anyone can overcome OCD.