Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) affects millions of people in this country from all walks of life. If you or a loved one suffers with OCD, you know the symptoms typically include developing strict routines or avoiding specific objects or situations. But what is the root cause of OCD and how exactly do these behaviors manifest? Once an individual understands how OCD behaviors show up, they can better manage their symptoms.

What Causes OCD?

Health experts are not able to point to one direct cause of OCD, though they have suggested that a family history of the condition may increase a person’s likelihood of developing the behaviors. In addition, it is thought that irregular brain development or impairment of certain regions in the brain may also be linked to the condition. For example, the National Institute of Mental Health suggests OCD may be linked to how your brain responds to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and sleep.

The following are some other believed factor that contribute to the manifestation of OCD behaviors:

Stress or Trauma

Suffering from stress or a traumatic event can increase a person’s chances of developing OCD or worsening existing symptoms.

Personality

Certain personality traits are predisposed to manifesting OCD behaviors. Those individuals who are perfectionists or have difficulty handling uncertainty may develop unwanted behaviors.

Childhood Abuse

Children who experience abuse or trauma have a higher chance of developing the condition.

Treating OCD

While the symptoms of OCD can make life feel unbearable, there is help. Often the best first step in recovery is to connect with a therapist who has experience successfully treating OCD.

If you’d like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

SOURCES:

https://lynnwinstendoc.com/how-do-ocd-behaviors-manifest/

https://www.healthline.com/health/ocd/social-signs

https://psychcentral.com/ocd/what-ocd-feels-like-being-absolutely-uncertain

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects 2-3% of the population. The disorder is characterized by a pattern of unwanted thoughts or fears (obsessions) that cause an individual to perform a set of repetitive behaviors (compulsions). OCD interferes with a person’s daily activities and can lead to significant distress.

Symptoms of OCD

People that have been diagnosed with OCD typically experience both obsessions and compulsions. However, there are some individuals who only experience symptoms of obsessions or only symptoms of compulsion.

Symptoms of Obsession

Obsessions are persistent and repeated unwanted thoughts, urges or images that cause you to feel stress or anxiety. Though you may try to ignore these mental intrusions, most with OCD relieve the stress and tension by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual.

The following are some of the most common symptoms of obsessions:

• Fear of being somehow contaminated by an object they just touched. Usually the fear is of germs.
• A strong feeling of doubt or uncertainty. You’re already a half hour into your morning commute to work but are overcome by the idea that you left the front door unlocked.
• And intense need to have objects orderly or arranged in a specific way.
• Intense thoughts or imaginings of losing control and harming yourself or others.
• Unpleasant sexual images.
• Thoughts of acting inappropriately, such as shouting obscenities in public.

Symptoms of Compulsion

OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that an individual feels driven to perform in an effort to relieve the stress triggered by their obsession or stop something bad from happening.

Some of the most common symptoms of compulsion are:

• Washing and cleaning. A person can wash their hands so much they develop sores and blisters.
• Checking and rechecking. This may be checking and rechecking to make sure you set your alarm, locked the door, or turned off the stove.
• Counting
• Orderliness to an extreme. You may arrange and rearrange items in your medicine cabinet or on your bedside table over and over again until they are just right.

Is it Time to Get Help?

Some people make the mistake of confusing perfectionism – a driving urge to have flawless results or a perfect performance – with OCD. But they are not the same thing. OCD symptoms take a real toll on an individual and interfere with their quality of life.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with OCD or you think you or they may have OCD based on these symptoms, please feel free to call my office. I would be happy to speak to you about your specific concerns and the treatment options available to you.

SOURCES:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432

https://www.disorders.org/anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/10-most-common-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-symptoms/

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd