Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that impacts all kinds of people of all ages. It happens when a person becomes enmeshed in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are invasive, unwelcome thoughts, desires, or images that cause incredibly upsetting feelings. Compulsions are actions someone takes in an effort to suppress their obsessions and/or lessen their suffering.
At some point in their life, the majority of people have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors, but this does not imply that everyone has OCD. In order to be diagnosed as OCD, this repetition of obsessions and compulsions must become quite severe, take up a lot of time, and interfere with daily life.
Obsessions are repeated thoughts, images, or impulses that a person feels uncontrollably drawn to. Those with OCD do not wish to have these ideas and find them to be unsettling. Most of the time, OCD sufferers are aware that these beliefs are absurd. The powerful and uncomfortable emotions that frequently accompany obsessions include anxiety, contempt, doubt, and the need to accomplish things perfectly. Obsessions in the context of OCD take up time and interfere with worthwhile pursuits that the person cherishes. This final point is crucial to remember since it helps to establish whether a person has OCD, a clinical condition, or just an obsessive personality trait.
The words “obsessing” and “obsessed” are often used in people’s daily vocabulary in a way that someone is engrossed with something, be it a song, person, or item. Being “obsessed” in this way doesn’t hinder a person’s day-to-day life as they are still able to continue living normally without letting that obsession take over. For people with OCD, their obsessions come often and cause extreme anxiety that can get in the way of their normal living.
Compulsions are the companion to obsessions in the context of OCD. Compulsions are behaviors or thoughts that people repeat in order to make their obsession go away or decrease. It serves as a temporary solution or escape from the obsession. These sorts of compulsions are not like repetitive behaviors people use to study, learn a new skill, or follow a bedtime routine. These compulsions are behaviors that people with OCD would rather not do but feel forced and driven to do them, otherwise they feel as if their obsessions might take over. Even if you feel as if you are compelled to keep things neat or have things organized a certain way, that may just be a part of your personality or perfectionism rather than OCD. People with OCD are continuously forced to practice these compulsions in order to reduce their feelings of anxiety and pressure just to overcome their obsessions.
Saying “I’m so OCD about…” is a very common phrase people use these days, but they do not understand the severity behind these words for people who actually have OCD. We should all be more mindful and understanding of people with OCD and try to fine-tune our language and comprehension of this mental health disorder.
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