Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is the presence of persistent and unwanted thoughts, impulses, images, and compulsions (Brock & Hany, 2023). While it may appear as a checking and organizing disorder, OCD can manifest through many avenues. Thoughts are content-specific and often struggle to control these actions and behaviors. The obsessions stem from intrusive thoughts that an individual attaches great significance to (Brock & Hany, 2023). While compulsions are carried out actions to deal with the emotional distress of the obsession.
Cycle of OCD
The cycle of OCD is vicious, fueled by anxiety and an overwhelming need to find relief from anxiety. There are four stages to the OCD cycle: obsessions, anxiety, compulsions, and temporary relief (Brock & Hany, 2023). Situations trigger thoughts that evolve into an obsession. The importance and meaning attributed to the thought are often interpreted as problematic, increasing the intensity and frequency of these thoughts. This generates significant anxiety when struggling with OCD, and the individual strives to engage in actions to eliminate the anxiety. These behaviours become dependent characteristics to alleviate stress, manifesting into compulsions.
Types of OCD
While OCD is a specific behaviours to an individual, there are some similar categories and content of obsessive thoughts and actions. Some common types of OCD include:
Contamination
Contamination OCD is characterized as an obsessional worry about contamination and being dirty (Brock & Hany, 2023). The underlying notion is that contamination may cause harm to oneself. The compulsion associated includes the continuous need to wash, clean, or avoid, accompanied by rituals of repetitive washing (Brock & Hany, 2023).
Checking
Checking is referred to as the compulsion to check door locks, the car, the house light, emails, illness and conditions, past memories, etc. (Brock & Hany, 2023). The obsessive worries surrounding preventing damage, fire, or harm. The compulsion of checking is often carried out multiple times a day at high frequency and intensity, affecting the person’s life and interfering with relationships and work (Brock & Hany, 2023).
Orderliness and Symmetry
A common trait associated with this type of OCD is the desire to have objects ordered “just right” (Brock & Hany, 2023). The compulsion is to spend considerable time organizing items in the proper placement to prevent discomfort. Individuals will avoid interactions and contact at home to preserve order, negatively impacting social relationships.
Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts OCD are individuals consumed with repetitive thoughts that are disturbing in nature. Most often including aggressive and sexual harm to a loved one (Brock & Hany, 2023). While this type of OCD does not include immediate compulsions but may seek reassurance of one goodness (Brock & Hany, 2023).
Type of Treatment
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in reducing obsessive thoughts and compulsions (McKay, 2015). Specifically, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a type of CBT treatment, has been shown to improve tolerance of distress, symptom-related dysfunctional beliefs, and adherence to treatment (McKay, 2015). ERP therapy provides tools to address OCD symptoms. The session would follow exploring situations that provoke anxiety and obsession and practicing confronting intrusive thoughts, images, and objects (McKay, 2015).
If you feel your experiences and symptoms of OCD are significantly impacting your life, it may be beneficial to reach out to a mental health professional. Joel is a counsellor, Vaughan Counselling and Psychotherapy, supporting those struggling with OCD.
McKay, D., Sookman, D., Nezironglu, F., Wihelm, S., Stein, D. J., Kyrios, M., Matthews, K., and Veale, D. (2015). Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Research. 225(3), 236-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2014.11.058
Brock, H., and Hany, M. (2023). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. StatPearls [Internet].