Obsessions & Compulsions in OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is often debilitating for those experiencing it. OCD involves obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, often called compulsions or rituals. These obsessions and compulsive behaviors are usually accompanied by intense distress and disrupt the individual's daily functioning in work, school, social, or other important roles.
Obsessions
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted. Intrusive thoughts often present disturbing content that goes directly against the person's values. In truth, the person is the exact opposite of the fears that OCD shows them, which is why these thoughts can be even more disturbing.
Obsessions can show up as:
Urges
Possibilities
Images
Doubts
Sensations
How to Recognize Obsessions
If you are having a thought that has anxiety along with any urgency or avoidance, it's OCD.
Are you stuck in a thought loop? If you try to shift your attention elsewhere but your mind continues to stay stuck, chances are it's OCD.
Compulsions
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that someone with OCD feels driven to perform and are usually done according to rules that must be applied rigidly. Compulsions are usually referred to as "rituals" in OCD treatment and aim to mitigate or neutralize the anxiety that comes with OCD symptoms. Some people are only disturbed minorly by compulsive behaviors, while others might perform rituals for up to 8 hours per day. Many people realize that their compulsions are unreasonable, but they still feel an intense urge to do them anyway.
Types of compulsions include:
Checking
Counting
Handwashing
Rereading & rewriting
Reassurance Seeking
Avoidance
Ruminating
Praying
Researching online
How to Recognize Compulsions
Are you repeatedly seeking relief from anxiety, or seeking a response to a question that's unanswerable?
If you’re engaging in behavior where you feel shame or embarrassment, it could be a compulsion. Would you feel comfortable doing this behavior in front of an audience of everyone you know?
This is the only time it's appropriate to compare yourself to others, but would somebody else in your position be engaging in the same behavior-- whether it's a coworker, family member, or friend? For example, how long would it take one of your colleagues to do this assignment? Is it taking you 30 minutes as opposed to the 5 minutes it takes your coworkers? You might be stuck in a compulsion.
OCD is a treatable mental health concern. Please reach out for more information on starting therapy.