The Inside Scoop on OCD

Have you ever heard someone say, “Oh, I am just being OCD about that,"? Well, that might not be completely inaccurate. OCD is a fast growing disorder that doesn't discriminate. No matter your race, age, or gender. Now there are studies that show OCD symptoms are prevalent in certain groups more than others, but for the most part OCD can manifest in anyone at anytime.

It seems that OCD symptoms begin manifesting or get stronger after a tragic or highly stressful event. In my case it was the death of my mother. For others it may be a job, loss of a job, schoolwork, or any other events in a person’s life that they consider highly stressful. This disorder is sort of an enigma. It can take on many characteristics.

You may experience the desire to avoid cracks on sidewalks; you may count everything or do something a certain number of times. You may wash your hands repeatedly or have to wear gloves while doing everyday tasks. You may have to repeat things as in a mantra. The list goes on and on.

OCD is aggressive in nature. It will envelope a person’s life to the point were functioning is even a problem. This disorder can also have co-morbidity with other things like depression and anxiety. The cycle is quite vicious. You feel that you are going crazy because of your thoughts or actions. So as a result you look down on yourself, you feel ashamed or embarrassed. Because of the persistence of the thoughts that accompany obsessive thoughts, people tend to develop compulsions to stop or alleviate those unwanted thoughts.

People will develop just about any tactic to resolve some of the conflict in their mind. This could be any kind of ritualistic act like saying things a certain number of times or touching the same object every day. It is important to note what exactly is going on in the brain of someone with OCD. It is not a disorder like Schizophrenia where a person is delusional. It is quite the opposite in fact. Most people who have OCD and the thoughts and compulsions that result from it, realize that what they are doing and thinking is not in the realm of normalcy. It is like a dual mind. On one hand you have the overwhelming urge to think of something or to do a ritualistic act. On the other hand you are aware of the fact that these thoughts, and consequently the actions performed to alleviate the thoughts, really are irrational. This is where the depression and anxiety come into play.  You know that what you’re doing is stupid but you can’t stop. This makes you feel defeated and, to be quite honest makes you feel crazy.

Finally OCD affects more than just those diagnosed. Family, friends and other around do not understand the quirkiness if you will of OCD. So they are left to bear the outcomes of OCD behavior.

There is hope however. Luckily OCD is very treatable. It can be managed relatively easily. A mixture of proper medicines and counseling can alleviate symptoms. It is important to note that it will not destroy symptoms. It will merely help in controlling unwanted acts and thoughts associated with OCD. If you think that you might have OCD or you know anyone with symptoms, seek help. Do not diagnose and or try to treat without the proper guidance of a therapist.