When worry becomes obsession

Most people, at some point in their lives, have temporary fascinations, fixations, or "obsessions" with people, places or things. But for approximately 2% of Canadians, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) transforms their lives into a constant series of unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviours that they cannot control.

OCD is a chronic and relapsing anxiety disorder. It's a medical condition and not something that someone with OCD can control. But, with treatment, the impact of OCD on a person's life and relationships can be minimized.

Facts about OCD

• Researchers have found that, in a given year, 1 person in 100 experiences OCD.
• The first symptoms of OCD usually appear before the age of 40, and most commonly during childhood or adolescence.
• OCD affects men and women equally.
• OCD is sometimes associated with depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, or other anxiety disorders.
• OCD is partially genetic, but more research is needed to better understand.
• Left untreated, OCD symptoms can last for years or decades and have a serious impact on your life and health.

Key features of OCD

Obsessions: People with OCD have repeated, persistent, and unwanted ideas or impulses, and find these disturbing, illogical, and intrusive. Most people with OCD recognize that their obsessions are not reasonable but cannot control them. Obsessions may involve persistent fears of being harmed or harming someone else, or of a loved one being harmed. Many people with OCD have concerns about contamination, or may have an excessive need to do things correctly. The person may have repeated thoughts such as "I must have left the stove on" or "I'll be injured if I walk along this street." These thoughts often cause great anxiety. Sometimes the obsessions can be sexual or aggressive in nature.

Compulsions: People with OCD cope with their obsessions by using repetitive ritualized behaviours called compulsions. These can include behaviours such as frequent hand washing, checking things (such as locks or stoves), counting (e.g., counting certain objects over and over again), repeating a specific word or phrase, rearranging objects persistently, or collecting food or objects. They may also compose mental checklists or insist on eating foods in a specific order. Compulsions may help relieve anxiety temporarily, but most often these behaviours worsen with time.

OCD is often misunderstood

OCD can start gradually, and people with OCD often do not seek help until years after the onset of their condition. At first, obsessions and compulsions may be mild and have little impact on the person's life. Most people try to ignore their obsessions and compulsions, and may even be successful doing so at work or in social situations. However, in most cases, OCD worsens and will eventually have a significant impact on a person's life, family, and friends.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-OCD