Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder symptom, NOT a stand-alone condition. OCD is characterized by anxious obsessive thoughts causing the sufferer to carry out rituals and compulsions. OCD is is sister to Pure O, which causes inappropriate thoughts, sometimes of an aggressive or sexual nature or about health and illness for example.

But like I said before, OCD doesn't actually exist as a stand alone condition...

Why?

Because OCD never exists without an underlying anxiety disorder; take away your inappropriate anxiety and your obsessions will simply fade away. OCD is fueled by anxiety-driven 'what if' or 'catastrophic' thought processes which are stored like habit in the brain.

If you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals in order to stave off anxiety. These Obsessive Compulsive Disorder rituals can be very fast to carry out, such as checking light switches or making sure you have turned off the stove, but many require large quantities of time and concentration.

 

As a sufferer of OCD:

• You may be obsessed with germs or dirt, washing your hands, clothes, home or furniture repeatedly
• You may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things many times over
• You may have frequent thoughts of violence, and fear that you will harm people close to you
• You may spend long periods touching things or counting
• You may be pre-occupied by order or symmetry
• you may have persistent thoughts of performing sexual acts that are repugnant to you
• You may be troubled by thoughts that oppose your religious beliefs

The disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions, and the rituals that are performed to try to prevent or get rid of them are calledcompulsions.

If the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferer does not carry out the ritual that their subconscious mind wishes them to, the anxiety level can become overwhelming. Panic attacks and all of the associated anxiety symptoms, thoughts and sensations can ensue - and it is this which forces the sufferer to become a slave to their compulsions and rituals in order to prevent an anxiety reaction.

Even non-anxious people recognize some of the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 'Checking' behavior is common in non-sufferers, but when this behavior becomes obsessive, the OCD sufferer can spend much of their day checking the gas, the light switches or the locks. Some OCD sufferers spend much of their day carrying out the rituals they have developed which can be very intrusive and destructive for both themselves and family members.

Most OCD sufferers realize that what they do makes no real sense, but the fear of the consequences of NOT doing it forces them to continue.

There are many OCD sufferers who are so entrenched in their behaviors and routines that they seem oblivious to the fact that what they do is not what you would call 'normal' behavior.

Who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects over 4 million Americans and this figure is echoed across the world. OCD affects men and women equally and normally develops in younger people and children first. Approximately 1/3 of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferers first experienced their symptoms as a child.

People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder tend to avoid situations where there may be a chance of confronting their fears or obsessions. Avoidance techniques support the anxious behavior and often phobias accompany the OCD behavior, such as agoraphobia or social phobia.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) sufferers find it very difficult to maintain healthy relationships or to hold down a job because of the intrusive and very visual nature of their conditions - often employers will find the visible symptoms difficult to work with and careers can be severely affected.

What is 'Pure O'?

Pure O is the obsessive thoughts experienced in obsessive compulsive disorder but without any resultant compulsion to carry out any specific actions such as hand washing, ordering or word repetition. Pure O can often center around obsessive thoughts of a sexual or aggressive nature.

Can Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) be cured?

In a word... yes! Most definitely and most permanently.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an Anxiety Disorder symptom, and can, therefore, be eliminated by addressing the subconscious reaction which causes and perpetuates the anxiety which fuels it. This sounds difficult, but it isn't - kids of seven do it in days, so I know you can..

There is an internal 'anxiety switch' which is activated by anxious stimuli and it is by controlling and altering this reaction that OCD and the anxiety that fuels it can be permanently eliminated, very quickly and very permanently.