|
OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Chat Support Group
Symptoms of OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, (OCD) symptoms can occur in people of all ages, but not all Obsessive Compulsive behaviors mean that you have this disorder. Some rituals; such as prayer and other religious practices, and singing songs to the kids before they go to bed, are a welcome part of daily life. Normal worries, such as contamination fears, may increase during times of stress, especially if a family member gets sick or is dying. But when obsession symptoms persist, or get worse, cause a lot of distress and make no sense to you when you think about why you are doing it, and these worries start interfering with everyday life, then it may be time for you to seek professional help from a mental health care professional.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder survivors usually have both obsessions and compulsions, but there are some OCD survivors that just have one or the other.
Typical OCD Symptoms
1. Contamination fears of germs, dirt, etc.
2. Imagining losing control of aggressive urges
3. Constant worrying about the worst situations
4. Excessive religious or moral doubt
5. A need to have things "in their place"
6. Constant hand-washing
7. Repetitive actions
8. Constantly arranging things
9. Checking
10. Counting
Obsessions
The survivor of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is constantly thinking, "My hands may be contaminated, I must wash them" or "Did I turn off the coffee pot, I have to go back and check." These thoughts are intrusive, unpleasant, and produce a high degree of anxiety. Sometimes the obsessions are of a violent or a sexual nature, or concern illness.
Compulsions
Most people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder resort to repetitive behaviors in response to their obsessions. The most common of these are washing and checking. Other compulsive behaviors include counting, repeating, hoarding, and endlessly rearranging objects to keep them in precise alignment with each other. Mental problems, such as mentally repeating phrases, list-making, or checking are also common. Some people with OCD have regimented rituals while others have rituals that are complex and changing. Performing rituals may give the person with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder some relief from anxiety, but it is only temporary.
BACK TO THE LIST
|
