How to deal with OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined by recurrent intrusive and unpleasant thoughts, urges, and pictures (obsessions), as well as ritualistic repeating behaviors and ideas (compulsions). These compulsions and obsessions seriously affect individuals and hamper everyday activities.

You might make an effort to suppress or dismiss your obsessions, but doing so simply makes you feel more upset and anxious. In the end, you get compelled to engage in obsessive behaviors to reduce your stress. Despite attempts to suppress or ignore unpleasant impulses or emotions, they remain. This leads to additional ritualistic behavior, perpetuating the OCD vicious cycle.

Symptoms of OCD

Both compulsions and obsessive behaviors are typically present in obsessional-compulsive disorder. However, it's also common to only have obsessive or compulsive symptoms.

Symptoms of obsession

OCD obsessions are intrusive, repetitive, and unwelcome thoughts, urges, or pictures that create anguish or worry. You could try to avoid them by engaging in a compulsive action or ritual. These obsessions usually interrupt your ability to think or perform other things.

Obsessions frequently have underlying themes, such as:

• Aversion to contamination or dirt

• Doubt and trouble accepting uncertainty

• Requiring symmetry and order in everything

• Ideas that are violent or horrifying, which make you want to lose control and kill yourself or other people

• Unwanted ideas, such as anger, as well as sexual or religious themes

Symptoms of compulsion

Compulsions caused by OCD are recurrent activities that you feel compelled to perform. When you have obsessive thoughts, you might set policies or rituals to assist control your worry. These compulsions are extreme and frequently unrelated to the issue they are meant to solve.

Compulsions frequently have themes, similar to obsessions, such as:

• Washing and cleaning

• Checking

• Orderliness is Counted

• Maintaining a rigorous routine

• Seeking reassurance

Types of OCD

There are many different types of obsessions and compulsions. However, the majority of them can be divided into four categories. Numerous subcategories of obsessive behaviors and ideas are possible. Additionally, you can experience obsessions and compulsions unrelated to those listed here.

Cleaning and contamination

Individuals who have this type of OCD have obsessive concerns about falling sick and spreading germs. Their obsessions with cleanliness go well beyond the norm for hygiene practices and housekeeping.

For instance, a person with contamination OCD might establish rituals involving excessive hand washing that causes their hands to bleed, extreme use of bleach and other cleaning supplies, and avoiding commonplace objects like doorknobs and public restrooms to keep their environment free of contaminants.

Questioning and double-checking

The memory and judgment of OCD individuals are frequently questioned. Some people have a hard time questioning their perspective of reality. They might also question their recollection of the recent occurrences.

When someone with this kind of OCD leaves the house, locks the door, and then gets in the automobile, they could start to doubt if they did lock the door. Someone with OCD might need to check back several times before they feel confident that the work has been completed.

Organizing and ordering

This kind of OCD can cause a person to get obsessed with symmetry and order in their surroundings. This is different from taking pleasure in keeping your home clean. The repetitive arrangement of the same objects until they match a given standard might take hours off of a person who has this type of OCD.

Taboo regarding OCD

People who suffer from this kind of OCD experience intrusive thoughts, whether they be erotic, violent, or forbidden in nature. Everybody occasionally has taboo or "unacceptable" thoughts. However, those who have OCD could find it more challenging to let these thoughts go.

Managing OCD in relationships

It could be tough for your loved one to discuss their compulsions and obsessions. They might have kept them a secret for a while and are anxious about how you will react. Recognizing this and encouraging them to discuss their experiences in a manner that feels natural to them can be helpful.

Be kind

Even if their anxieties appear baseless, unreasonable, or exaggerated to you, keep in mind that they are very genuine to them.

Be fair

Although hearing about someone else's obsessive thoughts might be unpleasant, if you react with surprise or judgment, they will be far less likely to open up to you about their feelings in the future. Let them know that, despite everything, you support and love them.