Why This Topic?
When I was younger, I would always hear my peers saying things like, “My OCD won’t let me keep my desk messy,” or, “That dot on the board is bugging my OCD.” Other days, there used to be comments like, “My OCD makes me clean.” Recently, I saw a post that said something like, “If you clean because of your OCD, then it’s not OCD.” This article helped me learn what OCD is and what to do if you may be struggling.
What is OCD?
OCD is when someone has obsessions, like ideas, sensations or unwanted thoughts, which then leads to compulsions, when they act upon the thought. There are 4 major groups that people with OCD fall into:
Washers are always cleaning or decontaminating things by hand. They are afraid of germs, and continue to think that everything is dirty.
Checkers tend to double check, triple check, sometimes even more than that, on things that may cause harm or could be a danger. Examples include making sure the stove’s turned off, or making sure the door is locked. While it is a good idea to be sure that everything is safe, living with paranoia about these things can lead to stress and anxiety.
Doubters and Sinners are more perfectionists. They tend to believe that if everything isn’t done perfectly, they will be punished.
Counters and Arrangers focus more on patterns and symmetry. They may be wary of certain colors, shapes, numbers, and/or patterns.
Statistics
OCD affects 2.2 million Americans. This in comparison to the population is around 1%. OCD tends to affect men and women equally. Most people are diagnosed with OCD around the age of 19, with 25% percent of them realizing it at the age of 14. About 33% percent of adults experience symptoms of OCD during their childhood.
Signs and Symptoms
People who have OCD typically have a compulsion to do something, like clean or reorganize. If they don’t do these things, it could lead to distress and apprehension.
Examples of thoughts:
Fear
Being hyper focused
Being superstitious
Examples of compulsions:
Repeating things/double checking
Cleaning or organizing
Hoarding
Causes of OCD
According to Better Health, there isn’t just one reason people have OCD. There are a few theories. These include:
If you have/had anxiety, compulsions may have been something that help you feel better,
Genetics
Chemicals in the brain
Treatment
Please talk to your doctor if you think you may have OCD, or any problem concerning your health in general. Once you get diagnosed, a few treatments may include:
Psychological treatments like cognitive behavior therapy
Medication or prescriptions
Having a support group
Using methods to reduce anxiety
Sources
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