More Than a Buzzword: A Therapist’s Thoughts on OCD Awareness
Have you heard of the term OCD before? You may have seen it on television or online. Perhaps you’ve heard someone say that they’re “so OCD” when organizing their desk or straightening up. Or, you may know someone who is diagnosed with OCD. Perhaps, you’ve been diagnosed and you know firsthand that OCD is much more than being someone who appreciates neatness.
Many people have started using OCD out of context as a way to describe being organized or tidy. But OCD is much more than the “buzzword” that it’s become. OCD can be really challenging to cope with. And it’s important that it’s understood and those who have a diagnosis don’t have their experiences minimized. That’s why in this blog we’re breaking down the buzzword and explaining what OCD actually is!
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
OCD is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Like we mentioned, people sometimes throw around the word “OCD” because they are particular about something. However, OCD is a real mental health concern that is characterized by a few things:
intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions)
repetitive behaviors (compulsions)
For example, a person with OCD might have an obsession with germs and a compulsion to wash their hands over and over again. Or, they might have an obsession with order and a compulsion to organize everything in their house. But, it doesn't just stop at being tidy. The compulsions that come with OCD can take up a lot of time and significantly interfere with a person's life.
Obsessions
Obsessions for people with OCD are very intrusive, often unwanted thoughts or images. These thoughts can be related to anything, but are usually related to themes of:
germs/contamination
doubt/perfectionism
order/symmetry
taboos
These obsessions can be so intrusive and distressing that they cause significant anxiety. To cope with obsessions, many people engage in compulsions with the idea that they’ll reduce their anxiety.
Compulsions
Compulsions are rituals or behaviors that a person with OCD engages in to try to relieve their anxiety. These compulsions are often repetitive and time-consuming and often interfere with a person's daily life. For example, a person with OCD might have a compulsion to:
wash their hands over and over again
check the locks on their doors multiple times
count things
The compulsions are usually in response to an obsession they have. The purpose of the compulsion is to reduce the anxiety they are feeling from an obsessive thought. For example, if someone has an obsession with germs they might have a compulsion to wash their hands over and over again. However, the compulsion usually can only provide temporary relief and can make OCD worse in the long run. It reinforces the idea that there are indeed germs everywhere and that there is a reason to panic.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of OCD?
Signs and symptoms of OCD can vary from person to person. OCD is not a one size fits all mental health disorder. However, there are some common signs and symptoms that most people with OCD experience:
intrusive, unwanted thoughts
repetitive behaviors
avoidance of things that trigger obsessions
excessive anxiety
depression
trouble functioning in day-to-day life
These are just some of the signs and symptoms. You may have all of these, or just some. If you are concerned that you or a loved one might have OCD, it's important to reach out to a mental health professional.
Differentiating OCD from Anxiety or Stress
It's important to know that OCD is different than anxiety or stress. Everyone can feel anxious or stressed sometimes. However, for people with OCD, the anxiety is much more intense and can be debilitating. Even if you have a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), the anxiety is different than what people with OCD experience.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or OCD?
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is different from OCD in a few ways. GAD is characterized by worries. But, these worries are more about day-to-day things such as health, money, and work. Whereas with OCD, the anxiety is typically about one specific thing or a few specific things.
Stress and OCD
Stress is different from OCD because it is a response to a trigger. It's your body preparing to deal with a situation, such as a work deadline or a fight with a friend. Stress is normal and manageable. It also usually goes away once the trigger is removed. OCD is not brought on by a trigger and the anxiety does not go away even if the trigger is removed. It continues daily without being related to a specific trigger.
OCD is a real mental health disorder that is different from anxiety or stress. It's important to seek professional help if you think you might have OCD, as treatment can help you manage your obsessions and compulsions so you can lead a more fulfilling life.
1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk in San Antonio, TX
The 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk raises funds for the International OCD Foundation to help create a supportive community and spread awareness about OCD. The funds are then used by the IOCDF to help support, educate, and inspire those affected by OCD and other related disorders.
Support
With the funds raised, their goal is to shorten the time it takes for someone with OCD to get a proper diagnosis. They also aim to improve access to treatment. This includes helping increase the number of trained therapists that help treat OCD.
Educate
The funds also go to educate others about what OCD is, and about related disorders through the IOCDF website. They also educate about OCD and other related disorders through their ambassador program, and anxiety in their classroom initiative.
Inspire
By participating in this walk we are creating awareness. This way we can reduce the stigma OCD and other related disorders have. We also seek to inspire the OCD community to advocate for themselves and others. Through support, education, and inspiration, we can help create a more informed and inclusive world!
Begin Working with a Therapist in San Antonio, TX
At Monarch Behavioral Health, we don’t offer OCD specific treatment but we do fully support those affected by OCD to seek out support from a specialized therapist. However, we can offer therapy services for anxiety and stress with one of our anxiety therapists in San Antonio, TX. If you’re interested in beginning therapy, you can follow these steps:
Contact our therapy office and learn more about our services
Meet with one of our caring therapists that can support anxiety treatment.
Gain support to manage anxiety or stress. For more information, contact us or call 210.384.1254.
Other Therapy Services Offered at Monarch Behavioral Health
Our team at Monarch Behavioral Health in Texas understands that OCD, anxiety, or stress may not be the only struggles you are dealing with. Maybe you're struggling with depression because you’re feeling isolated. Or, you may be struggling with an eating disorder due to anxiety about your body image. Regardless of your situation, we are here to offer support. Our San Antonio therapists also offer therapy for children, teens, and adults of all ages. If you have questions about how we can help you or a member of your family, please feel welcome to reach out and ask!