OCD

Obsessions, compulsions, or both—more than being "picky"

Compulsions can bring short-term relief, but engaging can teach the brain that the obsession or compulsion is important…perpetuating the cycle.

Distinguishing between OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder is important. We must identify the correct target before best recommendations can be made.

OCD Generalized Anxiety Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
Intrusive content and/or compulsions Broader “real-world” worry writ large Long-standing style of rigidity/perfectionism without obsessions or compulsions
Actions taken to reduce distress or a feared outcome No pattern of behavior to reduce anxiety-though repetitive reassurance may be sought, but absent other compulsive behavior “This is just who I am”

Common OCD patterns include:

  • Contamination: washing/cleaning avoidance
  • Checking: locks, stoves, potential work mistakes, garage doors, light switches
  • Harm: intrusive fears of harming others, particularly those one is close to
  • Relationship: compulsive doubt with reassurance cycles
  • Scrupulosity: moral/religious guilt; fear of being “bad” or of triggering something “bad”
  • “Just right”/Symmetry: repeating until it feels complete, or symmetrical
  • Primarily mental compulsions: rumination, mental checking, neutralizing, repeating phrases, reviewing memories
  • Perinatal/postpartum intrusive thoughts: distressing thoughts/images

When to Seek Psychiatric Help for OCD

A psychiatrist may be helpful when:

  • Symptoms are escalating or becoming more time-consuming
  • OCD is interfering with work, school, parenting or relationships
  • You are stuck in a reassurance-seeking, checking, rumination, or avoidance pattern

It is important to differentiate OCD from rituals, which many athletes and other performance-geared individuals may engage in. Rituals serve to soothe, improve performance, and do not detract from practice or performance time. OCD diminishes

Performance over time, reduces mental energy, and consumes an amount of time that leads to distress, worse performance and the inability to engage in other aspects of life.

Many people with OCD are high-functioning and insightful-and still feel trapped by the doubt, mental loops, and reassurance-seeking. If you identify with these symptoms, please consider reaching out to see if we may be helpful.