We use the term often and too casually. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is not a subject that should be taken lightly. It’s not just about feeling more comfortable when books face the same way, or about having a desire for an orderly pantry. OCD is a serious condition that can completely overtake the lives of those afflicted with it. Intense cases of OCD may prevent people from holding a job and having healthy relationships.
How do you know if you truly have OCD?
Or is it possible you have a lesser-known condition called OCPD? Let’s start with the basics.
What is OCD?
OCD is named because those with the condition experience repetitive thoughts (‘obsessions’) and difficult to control urges (‘compulsions’) to take certain actions.
The actions they are driven to repeat bring them temporary relief from anxiety related to the issue they are obsessed with.
For example, someone overly concerned with hygiene (often called “contamination OCD”) feels a moment of relief from anxiety by washing hands.
The relief is fleeting, though, so they wash their hands countless times a day.
They may be driven to wash hands so intensely that they develop raw, open wounds.
Or they may need to wash hands hundreds of times before they can even begin their day.
They may also overuse hand sanitizer or germ fighting substances; so much so that they begin to experience side effects from excessive application of these products.
How do you know if your “OCD tendencies” are actually OCD?
Areas that those with OCD fixate on can be linked to many categories. Some more common OCD areas of focus include:
- Germs or “contamination” (as noted above)
- “Forbidden thoughts” (may include sexual or violent themes)
- Fear of harming self or others (may include thoughts crippling enough to prevent social interaction)
- Moral or spiritual OCD (being overcome with guilt about committing sins or being a “bad person”)
Indicators that it’s full-blown OCD include:
- If obsessive thoughts or compulsive actions are intense enough to interfere with your life,
- When the impact of OCD tendencies takes up an hour or more of time each day, or,
- If anxiety or fixations with routine or compulsive actions prevent you from getting to work or other obligations on time.
Causes of OCD
There are a number of potential causes.
Also, there are multiple theories regarding what makes some people more likely to develop OCD.
Some evidence supports that a link to genetics; there is also a potential tie to changes in brain and blood chemistry.
We can also “learn” OCD as a result of being exposed to others with this condition.
Risk factors include stress and a history of mental health disorders.
The condition is more common in women than men and afflicts about 1.2% of the population in the United States and about 2.0% of the population of the world.
Examples
Some ways OCD presents that you may be familiar with:
- A need to check things repeatedly (the door is locked; the stove is off)
- An inability to break or change routine.
- Constantly repeating a phrase or word
- Acting out the same motions repetitively
- Intense anxiety when unable to carry out a compulsive behavior.
- Actively avoiding situations that trigger obsessive thoughts.
- Counting for no reason
Remedies
Those with OCD usually realize that something is not right and are often motivated to seek out treatment to resolve it. Fortunately, medication and/or exposure therapy have both proven fairly effective for those who wish to manage OCD behaviors.
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is a related condition that is more prevalent than OCD.
It impacts up to 7% of the general population.
People with OCPD tend to have a preoccupation with order.
They may be perfectionists, often dissatisfied with their own performance or the performance of others.
Those with OCPD can be stubborn and rigid and find it difficult to see another’s point of view.
In the workplace, they have difficulty delegating and are likely to behave as “workaholics”.
The Nature of OCPD
Unlike those with OCD, people with OCPD do not believe that their tendencies are cause for concern.
They seldom seek out treatment because they do not believe there is an issue with their behaviors.
In fact, they believe their desire for order and routine is an ideal state and have little tolerance for those who don’t “get it”.
OCPD is more prevalent in men and those aged 40 or older. Individuals who are the oldest child or only child in their family are also more likely to develop OCPD.
Those with OCPD may behave as hoarders, both with possessions as well as with their money.
They have difficulty throwing things away and may be stingy and prone to anger.
These tendencies, along with difficulty expressing emotions, make it difficult for those with OCPD to develop friendships.
Another downstream impact of OCPD personality tendencies is that those with the condition often have a hard time relaxing, or doing anything that is just for recreation, or fun.
Treatment for OCPD
OCPD may be managed is those with the condition are willing and patient enough to participate in talk therapy, however, as mentioned above, they are much less likely to seek out a remedy to their condition than those with OCD.
Do You Have OCD?
So, after reading this piece – do you think you have OCD?
The condition is serious and can create a significant impact on daily life, the good news is that treatment can be very effective.
If you think you may have this condition, please reach out to a mental health professional to talk things through.
They may be able to prescribe medication or a course of therapy that will help bring this disorder under control, and that can have a huge impact on your daily life and happiness.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
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