Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is defined by constant thoughts and actions obsessing over violence, relationships, handwashing, and sexual actions to name a few. The most common sign of OCD is excessive hand washing. Other obsessions can cause intrusive visuals, impulses, or even actions. This disorder is classically defined as the obsessive and inextinguishable need for control. However, misfiring in the brains of sufferers is also to blame. Misfiring leads to the intrusive thoughts that are distressing and almost impossible to overcome, especially without medication. Obsessions about cleanliness and hygiene also cause extreme depression and anxiety. All these symptoms and signs can negatively affect the victims’ lives and those around them.
OCD can be considered a difficult disorder to diagnose because people can hide their symptoms for years. As a result, many refer to OCD as the secretive disorder. Individuals with this illness are often too skittish to explain their symptoms to a doctor because they fear embarrassment. This can also lead to excessive counting, organizing, and cleaning. People who think they may have this disorder may end up harming themselves. This is often done inadvertently. The individual’s hands may become injured due to over washing. Their anxiety and depression skyrockets. This leads to an uptick in self-harm and suicides. The preceding reasons are an explanation of the disorder, but also examples of how important it is to speak to your physician. If you feel like you may be suffering from OCD, make an appointment now to avoid further pain in the future.
1. Hand Washing
Excessive hand washing is the most observed symptom of OCD. It makes the sufferers feel more in control of their lives. The amount of time they wash their hands and how often they do so will help decide if the action is indeed compulsive. A normal amount of time to spend washing your hands is anywhere from twenty to sixty seconds. If you spend more time than that, it could be considered a compulsive behavior. Additionally, excessive pressure and scrubbing aren’t needed. Compulsive hand washers tend to wash their hands multiple times a day. They do not wash them for normal reasons either.
There are usual activities that require hand washing. They include meal prep, bathroom use, after meals, changing diapers, blowing your nose, sneezing, coughing, taking out the garbage, touching animals, and disposing of animal waste. Washing for reasons beyond ones like these are considered obsessive. The problem may become severe enough to cause redness, swelling, bleeding, and splitting of the hands. Sufferers are split into two sections. The first includes individuals who are afraid of contamination beyond levels that most people feel. The second is composed of people that are afraid of contaminating others. Compulsive cleanliness is a common behavior of people with OCD and their hands are no exception.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]2. Overzealous Cleaning
For victims of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, obsessing over cleanliness may seriously interfere with their quality of life. Keeping your house clean and organized is normal. However, once it reaches the level that affects your family or friends, it can be considered obsessive. A usual amount of cleaning can amount to an hour or so each day, or a few hours of catch-up housework during the weekends. On the flip side, spending multiple hours stressfully cleaning each day is a sign of OCD. They may continuously check each room to make sure it is spotless. This checking behavior spreads to many areas of the person’s life.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]3. Checking Behavior
Checking behavior is a major sign of OCD. People with this disorder will check things like locks, burners, and important documents. They check these things over and over until they feel secure. People with OCD feel threatened by the world. Their fear is exaggerated to the extent that they agonize over it until it calms. Usually, they won’t feel relief until they’re convinced to stop the checking behavior. Sometimes, sufferers will check things that seem less important to a normal state of mind. These include checking if the television, toaster, coffee maker, or lights are off. This compulsive behavior is one of many. Another serious symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is counting things extensively.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]4. Counting
Obsessive counting is an average symptom of OCD. This symptom may or may not present itself. Counting compulsions include counting things over and over. Another symptom will cause them to perform tasks a special number of sequences. Some numbers may even have extra importance to the person. Individuals with OCD will count sidewalk sections, train cars, grapes, and whatever else they feel the need to. Their counting disorder stems from inappropriate fears. The fears they feel seem real to them. Some people do understand the irrationality of their fears. However, awareness of this isn’t often enough to make them stop. Counting things is a form of over-organization. This is another symptom.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]5. Organization
Staying organized is a normal part of everyday life. In contrast, OCD often presents itself in an individual as an obsession with organization. The sufferer will fear loss, judgment, and chaos. Consequently, they will overly organize each day. They feel the need to control every situation they are in. Their homes are no exception. The association with control and cleanliness lead to this obsession. Symmetry is another form of this symptom. Oftentimes, the individuals will organize items, so they are in complete symmetry and alignment. An example of this would be straightening the top of a work desk. Papers, pens, staplers, and other items could seem in utter chaos to the sufferer. They will take extra time to straighten each item until they feel secure again. Insecurity and fear are extremely prevalent in OCD patients. They will range from severe to debilitating fears.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]6. Fears of Violence
One of the worst fears associated with OCD is an irrational fear or obsession with violence. People with this disorder can have intrusive thoughts about being harmed or inflicting violence upon others. These fears of violence can cause graphic thoughts that cause emotional distress and get in the way of leading a normal life. Everyone has violent thoughts from time to time. In fact, almost eighty-five percent of people admit to having these thoughts. The difference is that people with OCD cannot often rid themselves of these terrible thoughts. These are caused by a misfiring of the brain. They do not reflect on a person’s values or moral code. They are simply intrusive thoughts. Other versions of these thoughts can make their way into the brains of sufferers as well.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]7. Unwanted Sexual Thoughts
Unwanted sexual thoughts that repeat are often signs of OCD. Mostly, they are unwanted and extreme. As a result, people with this symptom can feel extremely depressed and shameful. Feeling ashamed of these thoughts is the number one reason people seem to avoid treatment. They’re afraid of being judged, or they may be in denial of their problem. Obsessive sexual thoughts tend to focus on acts with animals, children, or indecent exposure. Individuals will have visions of themselves performing terrible or inappropriate sexual behaviors. They may also have constant doubt about their true sexual identity. Some feel that they could eventually act on these intrusive thoughts. Subsequently, this leads to more anxiety. They will dwell on these thoughts until they go crazy. Relationships are another subject they might dwell on excessively.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]8. Dwelling on Relationships
People will always think about their relationships. Doing this is most productive. However, it isn’t productive to dwell on them. This is another sign of OCD. There are ways to discern the difference between the two. Everyone feels uncertain at some point in their relationship, but sufferers cannot deal with uncertainty. Obsessive thoughts can take a toll. People with OCD will obsess over whether they are making the right decision to be with their loved one, and they cannot handle the fact that they could make the wrong decision. They will also dwell on their relationship and whether their partner is loyal or not. These signs will cause their need for reassurance to grow.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]9. Seeking Reassurance
Seeking reassurance is another sign of OCD. Now, it isn’t uncommon to need reassurance occasionally. However, sufferers of this disorder will always need it. They feel insecure and fear loss. Therefore, loved ones will constantly be required to reassure the person of their love and devotion. This is especially true when they’re experiencing feelings of uncertainty. Family and friends can feel stressed out by this. The individual will also need reassurance in other areas. Their fears may cause them to need reassurances with other symptoms like intrusive thoughts, fears of violence, and compulsive cleanliness. This common sign of OCD will be helped by the supporting family and friends to not always reassure the sufferer. The less the subject is obsessed with the better.
