Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessions or compulsions that are unwanted and that cause significant distress or are excessively time-consuming.
Your life matters
OCD is often a misunderstood diagnosis; it is more than perfectionism. It can impact everyday life in some big ways. If you feel you may have OCD, your feelings are valid and you deserve support.
What does OCD feel like?
While there are official criteria for diagnosing OCD, some have described it as feeling like:
Not having free will or not being in control of your actions
OCD can cause unwanted obsessive thoughts or feelings that can make it difficult to feel like you're in control. It is common to have compulsive activities that take up significant time and can cause feelings of being trapped by the actions.
Like people do not understand what you are going through
These days it is common for people to reference OCD for common things that aren't actually OCD. This can make it feel like the difficulties of actual OCD are being trivialized.
There are two sides of you that are constantly fighting
Some have described OCD as feeling like two parts of them that are always fighting. One side is logical and realizes the obsessions or compulsions are unnecessary, the other side is adamant on continuing them.
Having an untrustworthy gut instinct
Some have described OCD as feeling like they can't trust their gut instinct because of the thoughts they have that they do not identify with.
Anxiety
OCD is rooted in anxiety at its core. OCD can present in different ways, but it usually includes other forms of anxiety as well.
Help is available
OCD is not something to "tough out". It is often caused by factors like that are best treated with therapy and/or medications.
What causes OCD?
OCD has a hereditary component and may be linked to brain circuit abnormalities, but there are some factors that increase the likelihood of it developing or worsening such as:
Things that happened when you were young.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are events that happen during childhood that can have an impact on someone their whole life. Examples include being exposed to violence, neglect, drug or alcohol use, and several more. ACEs are associated with higher rates of almost every type of mental health diagnoses.
Sometimes it's something you're born with.
Genetics can play a large role in OCD. This does not mean people born with those genetics are destined to get OCD symptoms, but they can be more likely to develop it sometime in their life, especially if they have other risk factors.
Life can be really hard.
Big life changes can be hard on our minds. Things like death, breakups, financial changes, and many other experiences can worsen or bring about OCD symptoms. Even positive changes can cause stress that can make symptoms worse during that time.
Your mind and body are connected.
Physical conditions like head injuries or infections can bring about OCD symptoms in those predisposed to it. Also, having pain or discomfort from an illness or injury chips away at our resilience which can decrease our ability to manage obsessions or compulsions.
Things can add up.
There are several mental health conditions that often happen alongside OCD. Anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder are a few that sometimes happen with OCD or can make OCD symptoms worse.
Can we improve OCD ourselves?
There are many factors that play into OCD, but steps can be taken to help protect against or improve OCD symptoms like:
Staying active
If there ever was a "wonder drug", activity/exercise would be it. Almost every aspect of life is shown to improve with regular activity and exercise. Click for strategies anyone can use to become more active with small manageable steps.
Giving our body what it needs
What we put into our bodies also affects our minds. Getting the right nutrients and supporting our "brain-gut connection" can be for everyone. Click to learn more about how to make small changes that add up.
Strong sleep habits
Sleep impacts mental health and mental health impacts sleep. There are subtle changes that can be made to our nightly routines that encourage more restful sleep.
Understanding emotions
Sometimes it is important to give yourself a break. Understanding where emotions are coming from can help you identify areas to improve, as well as let you go easier on yourself for things that may not be in your control.
Healthy hobbies
Hobbies can help us become better at handling the challenges of life. Hobbies are often overlooked as a mental health tool. They help us unwind, meet like-minded people, and can improve mood.
What treatments help OCD?
There are medication and non medication based treatments that have been shown to help with OCD.
Medication
Sometimes OCD requires temporary medication intervention in order to get the best results from therapy. It is important to become established with a psychiatric professional in order to receive the right medication treatment for you (if needed).
Non-Medication
It is also important to consult with a mental health professional about non-medication treatments. Some may still require referral or a prescription. Examples of non-medication treatments include:
- Therapy
- Vitamin modification
- Sunlight/Red light
- Lifestyle changes
- Therapeutic groups
Which treatment is best?
It is important to find a mental health specialist that blends best practices and your personal preferences, to help create a treatment plan that works best for you.