Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be looked at in two parts:
Obsessions;
These are repetitive, obtrusive, unwanted thoughts that are experienced and result in unreasonable fears,
And;
Compulsions;
Which are acts or rituals carried out in response to fears generated by obsessions.
The classic OCD condition is that of compulsive hand washing in response to an irrational fear of germs/contamination.
Sufferers of this disorder feel less anxious once they have carried out a compulsion. It is possible to experience obsessive thoughts only and not have the desire to carry out a compulsion.
Examples of compulsions are excessive cleaning, counting, checking, measuring, and repeating tasks or actions.
Trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling) may also be classified under the general umbrella of OCD.
Examples of obsessions may be worrying excessively about death, germs, illness, having undesirable sexual thoughts and fearing causing harm to others.
The DIY Self diagnosis
If you can answer YES to most of the questions it is likely that you are affected by OCD.
During the past 2 weeks:
1. Did you worry obsessively about contamination by germs/chemicals/dirt and/or that something bad might happen to you/other people, and/or that you might say something you didn’t want to that might upset others?
2. Did you feel compelled to carry out certain behaviors?
- 3. Did you check, count or repeat things over and over again?
If you have answered yes to any of these questions then it is very possible you are suffering with a form of OCD but help is at hand. Please get in touch with us to talk to one of our trained counsellors who understand what you are going through and know how to help you in a way that suits you best.
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