What is OCD
OCD is characterized by recurrent, unwanted and unpleasant thoughts (obsessions), and or repetitive, ritualistic behaviors, which the person feels driven to perform (compulsions). People with OCD know their obsessions and compulsions are irrational or excessive, yet they find they have little or no control over them
Typical Obsessions:
Typical Complusions:
Compulsive behaviors lessen the chances of distress from obsessions but only short term comfort at the long term cost of frequent ritual repetition.
Typical Obsessions:
- Dirt, Germs and Contamination
- Fear of acting on violent or aggressive impulses
- Feeling overly responsible for the safety of others
- Abhorrent religious (blasphemous) and sexual thoughts
- Inordinate concern with order, arrangement, or symmetry
- Inability to discard useless or worn out possessions
Typical Complusions:
- Excessive hand washing and/or bathing
- Excessive cleaning, checking and/or repetive actions such as touching, counting, arranging and orderly or hoarding
Compulsive behaviors lessen the chances of distress from obsessions but only short term comfort at the long term cost of frequent ritual repetition.