What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? See symptoms, coping strategies and more
mental health conditions, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While some are linked to anxiety, emotional disconnection, or social phobias, others like PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and specific eating disorders are more distinct and debilitating. One such disorder is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
The National Institute of Mental Health labels OCD as a common, long-lasting condition that often disrupts daily life. Clinical psychologist Juanita Guerra states that OCD affects around 1-3% of the global population, spanning across age groups. OCD, a mental health disorder, entails a cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, explains Guerra.
These unwanted thoughts lead to intense discomfort and prompt repetitive actions, which interfere with daily activities and trigger distress when not performed satisfactorily. Symptoms of OCD are diverse and may encompass repetitive counting, checking, cleaning, recurring distressing thoughts and rigid behavioral patterns. For instance, a person fearing a house fire may repetitively check the stove, making it hard for them to leave their home.
Other manifestations include excessive hand washing due to germ fears or adhering strictly to specific routines to avert misfortune. These behaviors can disrupt a person's life significantly, notes Jesse Bracamonte, a family medicine physician. However, some wrongly label behaviors as OCD when they are not genuinely connected.
Amanda Darnley, a practicing psychologist, emphasizes that true OCD hampers daily responsibilities. Coping with OCD involves adopting strategies like mindfulness, exercise, meditation and yoga to manage symptoms, says Guerra. For those meeting the OCD criteria, working with a
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