Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

OCD, short for Obsessive-compulsive disorder, is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts that compel a person to perform certain actions repeatedly. These actions can seem unnecessary tasks to normal people but they become an obsession for a person with OCD. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a neurobiological disorder that can have genetic origins. Imbalance in the levels of neurotransmitters causes obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Obsessions in a person are a result of abnormal levels of serotonin in the brain. A person with an OCD suffers from repeated thoughts of worry that make him do certain tasks repeatedly. A person suffering from OCD dwells on the same thought and performs certain tasks over and over again. The anxiety gripping the mind makes such a person feel that the repetitive execution of certain tasks is necessary. Let us look at the signs and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
As the name suggests, OCD is marked by obsessions and compulsions. Thoughts, impulses or visualization causing anxiety about problems in daily life are obsessions seen in a person with OCD. Often the person knows that his/her thoughts are a result of imagination and that they bear no relation with reality. The person tries to get rid of such thoughts. Obsessions result in compulsions, which lead to repetitive behavior, with an intention to reduce stress. A person performs certain tasks repeatedly in order to prevent what he imagined, from happening.

People with an OCD show signs of repeated washing of hands or repeated counting of numbers. Some patients show affinity toward particular types of numbers. There is often a feeling in them of having mistaken in the counting. People with an OCD are obsessed with numbers and counting. Their obsession for counting and recounting takes a lot of their time, making it difficult for them to manage their daily schedule. They fail to perform daily chores and exhibit incapacity to perform their social roles.

Among the fears that are seen in patients of OCD, the most common fear is that of contamination, clinically termed as mysophobia. It is the fear of germs or the phobia of contamination by saliva, blood, tears or sweat. A person with an obsessive-compulsive disorder dreads the presence of human excretions. Some even feel that their soap or cleanser itself is contaminated. Their fear of contagion results in the symptom of recurring washing of hands.

People with an obsessive-compulsive disorder sometimes exhibit an excessive need of symmetry. They show signs of frequent alignment of objects and frequent list making. They find it difficult to discard things with a fear of needing them in future. They think too much about their appearance. Mostly, their worries and doubts, which lead them to perform repetitive tasks, that are not logical. They are rather based on superstition.

People with an OCD show signs of unpleasant imaginations. They often picture unfortunate things happening to them. They may have aggressive thoughts or inappropriate sexual thoughts. Sometimes they have thoughts of blasphemy, the use of the names of gods with disrespect. OCD patients are less able to ignore or overcome their unpleasant thoughts making life even more stressful. Unpleasant thoughts may involve the visualization of violence. This includes thoughts of harming someone, or causing harm to self. Sufferers of OCD may feel urged to hurt themselves or others.

Obsessions related to sex include thoughts of intercourse or rape with strangers or family members. Patients suffering from OCD give undue importance to their inappropriate sexual thoughts. These thoughts are accompanied by shame and embarrassment making them feel even more solitary. This may also lead to self-hatred.

Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children and Teenagers
Similar to the common symptoms of OCD, children with OCD also show fear of germs and contamination. They believe in lucky and unlucky numbers. They are obsessed with intrusive sounds and thoughts. They have a constant fear of harm coming to them or their family. Religious rituals, grooming rituals and frequent ordering of things are the signs of OCD in teenagers. Parents must be watchful for such signs exhibited by their children. Any strange behavior of a child may be indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be treated by means of behavioral therapy and medication. It is necessary to detect the disorder. It should not be mixed with perfectionism or excessive interest in a particular subject. It is important to understand the signs of OCD and diagnose it correctly.