Week 7: OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). It's also possible to have only obsessions or only compulsions and still have OCD.

·      OCD usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood and is seen in as many as 1 in 200 children and adolescents.

·      OCD often centers around themes, such as a fear of getting contaminated by germs.

o   Ex: To ease your contamination fears, you may compulsively wash your hands until they're sore and chapped.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms usually include both obsessions and compulsions. But it's also possible to have only obsession symptoms or only compulsion symptoms (mayoclinic.org).

Obsessions often have themes to them, such as:

•   Fear of contamination or dirt

•   Having things orderly and symmetrical

•   Aggressive or horrific thoughts about harming yourself or others

Examples of obsession signs and symptoms include:

•   Fear of being contaminated by shaking hands etc.

•   Doubts that you've locked the door or turned off the stove

•   Intense stress when objects aren't orderly or facing a certain way

•   Images of hurting yourself or someone else

•   Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately

•   Avoidance of situations that can trigger obsessions, such as shaking hands

•   Distress about unpleasant sexual images repeating in your mind

OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety related to your obsessions or prevent something bad from happening.

Examples of compulsion signs and symptoms include:

•   Hand-washing until your skin becomes raw

•   Checking doors repeatedly to make sure they're locked

•   Checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off

•   Counting in certain patterns

•   Silently repeating a prayer, word or phrase

Causes

The cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder isn't fully understood. Main theories include:

·         Biology. OCD may be a result of changes in your body's own natural chemistry or brain functions. OCD may also have a genetic component, but specific genes have yet to be identified.

·         Environment. Some environmental factors such as infections are suggested as a trigger for OCD, but more research is needed to be sure.

Factors that may increase the risk of developing or triggering obsessive-compulsive disorder include:

·        Family history. Having parents or other family members with the disorder can increase your risk of developing OCD.

Stressful life events. If you've experienced traumatic or stressful events or you tend to react strongly to stress, your risk may increase. This reaction may, for some reason, trigger the intrusive thoughts, rituals and emotional distress characteristic of OCD.