Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What is it?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is made up of two different parts:
Examples of common obsessions include:
Examples of common compulsions include:
How do I know?
Everyone has unwanted or unplanned thoughts at times. We may wander if the food has gone bad or think "maybe I'll jump off this bridge". Lots of people also have particular ways in which they like to do things or feel things need to be done (routines, superstitious habits). But people with OCD often experience their obsessions and compulsions as very distressing. They struggle to move on from their thoughts, behaviours, and experiences, and they have trouble enjoying life as a result.
For example, the disorder can take up a lot of their time and interfere with the way they function:
People with OCD frequently also have other mental health challenges, like:
What can be done?
There are two main treatments that can be helpful for individuals with OCD. These treatments do not cure OCD, but they do help to manage and reduce the symptoms and to improve quality of life. These treatments may also be used along with other therapies or medications in some cases (another disorder, side effects, etc.). The most common and effective types of treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder are:
1. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a type of Cognitive-behavioural Therapy (CBT). It helps those with OCD gradually face their fear or distress while resisting their compulsions. ERP works very well for most people and had long lasting benefits. That is why it is considered the first line treatment for OCD. Treatment may be done on your own (self-help books), one to one with a therapist or in group settings. It is usually helpful to involve family members in treatment.
2. Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs)
SRIs are a type of medication that helps to reduce the intensity of OCD symptoms. It is recommended that SRIs be used along with ERP when an individual has severe symptoms.
What are other disorders related to OCD?
The following disorders share certain characteristics or patterns with OCD. They are seen as part of an obsessive-compulsive range or spectrum.
Body dysmorphic disorder: An over concern with a real or imagined defect or flaw in your appearance and a constant focus on it or trying to fix it. The child or youth might constantly compare their appearance to others or spend too much time looking in the mirror or grooming. Others cannot see the defect or think it is a minor flaw.
Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder: Picking at skin that causes an injury or lesion in spite of repeated attempts to decrease or stop.
Hording disorder: Serious problems with collecting or not getting rid of possessions regardless of their real value. The individual is very upset with the idea of parting with possessions.
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder): Pulling out hair causing hair loss in spite of repeated attempts to decrease or stop.
Where to from here?
Talk to your doctor and get help from a mental health professional by:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is made up of two different parts:
- obsessions
- compulsions
Examples of common obsessions include:
- concerns about cleanliness or infection (worries about dirt, germs or becoming ill)
- bad things happening (someone attacking you; causing a fire or flood)
- unwanted "bad" or "inappropriate" thoughts (unwanted thoughts about sex; fear of killing oneself; sacrilegious thoughts)
- concerns about identity or morality (am I a good enough person; is what I'm doing wrong?)
- feeling something is "just not right" (a need for things to be perfect, look a certain way or be in a certain order)
Examples of common compulsions include:
- staying away from things that are scary (knives, public toilets, things that trigger an obsession)
- repeated behaviours (hand washing, arranging items, checking, erasing and rewriting)
- mental acts (telling yourself you'll be okay, counting, praying)
- causing others to act in certain ways (to keep telling you everything is okay, wash your hands, stay out of your room)
How do I know?
Everyone has unwanted or unplanned thoughts at times. We may wander if the food has gone bad or think "maybe I'll jump off this bridge". Lots of people also have particular ways in which they like to do things or feel things need to be done (routines, superstitious habits). But people with OCD often experience their obsessions and compulsions as very distressing. They struggle to move on from their thoughts, behaviours, and experiences, and they have trouble enjoying life as a result.
For example, the disorder can take up a lot of their time and interfere with the way they function:
- socially (avoid friends; quit sports; rejected by peers)
- at school or at work (stay home; struggle to concentrate; work takes much longer)
- with family (fighting; stress; the amount of time and money others spend trying to help)
- personally (feeling down and sick of being distressed; not able to enjoy hobbies)
People with OCD frequently also have other mental health challenges, like:
- an anxiety disorder
- a depressive disorder
- a tic disorder (more often in males with childhood onset OCD)
- attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
What can be done?
There are two main treatments that can be helpful for individuals with OCD. These treatments do not cure OCD, but they do help to manage and reduce the symptoms and to improve quality of life. These treatments may also be used along with other therapies or medications in some cases (another disorder, side effects, etc.). The most common and effective types of treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder are:
1. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is a type of Cognitive-behavioural Therapy (CBT). It helps those with OCD gradually face their fear or distress while resisting their compulsions. ERP works very well for most people and had long lasting benefits. That is why it is considered the first line treatment for OCD. Treatment may be done on your own (self-help books), one to one with a therapist or in group settings. It is usually helpful to involve family members in treatment.
2. Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SRIs)
SRIs are a type of medication that helps to reduce the intensity of OCD symptoms. It is recommended that SRIs be used along with ERP when an individual has severe symptoms.
What are other disorders related to OCD?
The following disorders share certain characteristics or patterns with OCD. They are seen as part of an obsessive-compulsive range or spectrum.
Body dysmorphic disorder: An over concern with a real or imagined defect or flaw in your appearance and a constant focus on it or trying to fix it. The child or youth might constantly compare their appearance to others or spend too much time looking in the mirror or grooming. Others cannot see the defect or think it is a minor flaw.
Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder: Picking at skin that causes an injury or lesion in spite of repeated attempts to decrease or stop.
Hording disorder: Serious problems with collecting or not getting rid of possessions regardless of their real value. The individual is very upset with the idea of parting with possessions.
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder): Pulling out hair causing hair loss in spite of repeated attempts to decrease or stop.
Where to from here?
Talk to your doctor and get help from a mental health professional by:
- Getting a mental health assessment and support through your local Child and Youth Mental Health team (through a walk-in intake clinic in your community).
- contacting a private psychologist or counsellor.
Mental Health pages retrieved from:
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre. (2018). Mental Health & Neurodevelopmental challenges. Mental Health & Neurodevelopmental Challenges . Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://keltymentalhealth.ca/mental-health
Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre. (2018). Mental Health & Neurodevelopmental challenges. Mental Health & Neurodevelopmental Challenges . Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://keltymentalhealth.ca/mental-health