Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Signs & Symptoms
The two main symptoms of
obsessive-compulsive disorder is the presence of
recurrent obsessions and compulsions.
The typical obsessions in
people with OCD include:
- Fear of contamination with dirt, germs, or
poison.
- Aggressive or horrific impulses (towards children
or family members).
- Fear of thinking evil or sinful thoughts.
- Need for order, symmetry, or exactness.
- Excessive, repeated doubt.
- Sexual imagery.
However,
each individual is obsessed by different
thoughts, images, impulses, or fears. Some of the
most common obsessions include:
- Fear of contamination by shaking hands or
touching objects that others have
touched.
- Excessive doubts if the door is locked or
the stove is turned off.
- Repeated thoughts of hurting someone in a
traffic accident.
- Intense distress when objects are not in
order, lined up properly, or facing the
right way.
- Images of hurting the children.
- Impulses to shout obscenities in
inappropriate situations.
- Thoughts of performing sexual acts the
person dislikes.
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These obsessions
trigger feelings of anxiety, discomfort, or disgust. In
order to reduce the distress or anxiety, individuals with
OCD develop elaborate diverse rituals, known as
compulsions. The typical compulsions in individuals with
OCD include:
- Excessive washing
- Excessive cleaning
- Counting
- Ordering objects
- Repeating an action over and over
The most common compulsions
displayed by individuals with OCD include:
- Excessive washing until the skin is raw.
- Repeatedly checking the door or stove knobs to
make sure the door is lock or the stove is turned
off.
- Counting in different patterns.
- Repeating words, phrases in a specific manner.
- Eating food in a specific order.
- Constantly arranging things by a specific design.
- Collecting or hoarding items with no apparent
value.
- Asking for constant assurance.
Other symptoms that may be
related to OCD are:
- Pulling out strands of hair or eyebrows.
- Severe extreme nail biting.
- An unfounded fear of suffering from a serious
medical condition.
- Avoidance behavior.
Article by Alina Morrow
MS Psychology
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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