Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
We all have habits. Some habits come from being worried or unsure. You might have to double-check the front door is locked when you leave the house. You might always cross your fingers for good luck.
For people who suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D), these habits take over. They can badly upset a person's day-to-day life.
OCD can be broken into two parts…
Obsessions
Obsessions are thoughts or images that are out of our control. They come into the mind when we don't want them to. They can be upsetting and hard to stop. Lots of things can set them off. By and large, obsessions come from feeling unsure or scared. They can cause a lot of worry. People can feel trapped by the thoughts running through their mind.
Common Obsessions
- Fear of dirt, germs, getting ill.
- Fear of acting out violent thoughts or harming others.
- Worrying about order, things being correct.
- Upsetting images that are blasphemous, sexual or morally wrong.
Compulsions
Compulsions are the things that people do to 'correct' or 'put right' obsessions. Often, compulsions don't make much sense. People will do the same thing over and over again. This way of coping can help people feel in control. It can make them feel better, but only for a short time. Compulsions don't have to be actions. They can also be mental acts like counting. Or, people might try to swap a bad mental picture with a good one.
Common Compulsions
- Washing, cleaning
- Checking
- Avoiding things
- Asking for comfort from others
- Thinking "good" thoughts
From time to time, obsessions come from fears we all have. There could be a very small chance that the worry will happen. You might worry that your house will catch fire. You might worry about someone you love dying.
These are common worries. They become a problem when you find you worry about them too much. You can't stop even when you try hard to.
Worrying too much can be a sign of other problems. With OCD, people try to control their worry. They think they can do this by carrying out compulsions - really it just feeds the problem.
How common is OCD?
If you feel that obsessive thoughts and compulsions have taken over then it is time to regain control. OCD often starts early in life. Both men and women suffer. It is hard to know how many people have problems at any one time. Many people with OCD don't ask for help. More often than not, they are worried about what people will think of them. You might worry people will think you are 'mad' or strange if you tell them.
What Causes OCD?
It is hard to say. There is no one cause for OCD. It could start up after a time of stress. It is likely caused by a mix of different things. Most of us have mild obsessions about one thing or another. This can grow into a problem when the obsessions change the way a person acts, feels and thinks.
At times of stress, you may learn to link normal, everyday things with fear and worry. You will have gloomy thoughts. These thoughts can change the way you act. Many obsessions are a more powerful version of the worries we all have.
Mild obsessive behaviour is very common and it can be useful. If you worry about doing something 'the right way' it can help you to do it well. But, if you suffer from OCD, obsessions are upsetting. They make day-to-day life harder. People find they do things without thinking. They can find it hard to control what they do even if they know it isn't helpful.
People are upset by obsessive thoughts because of what they think that thought means about them. We all have thoughts that pop in to our heads. They might be strange or troubling. We can usually say 'it's just a thought'. We can think 'it doesn't say anything about me'.
For people with OCD, the thoughts are important. They mean a lot to them. They may feel immoral, dangerous or 'crazy' just for thinking them.
Things that keep OCD going.
Most people that suffer from OCD know what they are doing is not helpful. This can make them feel stuck. They might feel guilty or angry. It is also common for people with OCD to feel down. We can understand what keeps OCD going if we think about a vicious circle…
Someone with OCD will have obsessive or unpleasant thoughts. These thoughts upset them. They make them feel anxious and tense. To feel better they carry out 'habits' or compulsions that will make them feel more in control. But, they don't feel good for long. Gloomy thoughts like "I must be a terrible person for thinking like this" or "Nothing works, I'll never be able to control this" go through their head. This means the obsessions are more likely to come back.
Thoughts
When you suffer from OCD you are trapped in a circle of thoughts. You can feel hopeless. The thoughts are linked to an emotion. This means they are very hard to control. If something worries or upsets you, it will pop into your head more often. It isn't easy to stop the thoughts. If you try, they are often more likely to stick in your head.
Actions
People with OCD avoid things that upset them. This can seem like common sense. But, when you avoid a worrying situation it only makes your fears and doubts stronger. Face the fear. This is the only way to learn that it is not as bad as you think. Another common way of coping is to look for reassurance from friends or family. You might ask them to tell you that everything is OK. It is easy to rely on others to make you feel better or to keep you straight. This comfort doesn't make the worry go away in the long term. It really makes your worry stronger. Facing something for yourself is the only way to learn. It will never be as bad as you imagine. Facing it will help you to feel like you can cope. It will help fight the obsession.
Body
The symptoms in your body are the most obvious sign that you feel anxious because of your OCD. If you can learn to control your body, it will be much easier to tackle the vicious circle. Lots of things happen in your body when you feel afraid. You might feel restless and worked up. You might have a tight feeling in your chest or a racing heart. You might feel sick or faint. You will likely feel sweaty and have 'jelly legs'. There are lots of other unpleasant symptoms. All of these feelings make you more afraid. This makes it harder to cope. You can use relaxation to fight this reaction in your body.
