5 Signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

The term “OCD” is often thrown around to describe people who like things organized or clean. However, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious mental illness that causes distress.

When you have OCD, you don’t clean or organize your environment because you enjoy tidiness. Instead, you perform these tasks because you’ll experience debilitating anxiety if you don’t.  

Because OCD is often misunderstood and applied to people liberally, our team at RapidRecovery TMS in Wilmington, North Carolina, wants you to know the five telltale signs of this condition. 

1. You can’t control your thoughts or behaviors

When you have OCD, you have obsessions (unwanted thoughts) or compulsions (repetitive behaviors) you can’t control. Those intrusive thoughts are brought on by anxiety that won’t resolve until you carry out a behavior that provides temporary relief. These thoughts and behaviors persist even if you understand they aren’t logical. 

For example, if you have a paralyzing fear of someone breaking into your house while you’re away, you may want to check the locks on your doors multiple times before you leave. Even if you know that the doors are locked, you might still feel worried and keep checking to give those unwanted fears some reassurance. 

2. Your uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors take up hours of your day

Many people take time out of their day to organize the kitchen or clean the home. However, if you have OCD, you may have a heightened fear of germs lurking in your kitchen or an insatiable need to have it “just so.” If these needs drive cleaning or organizing behaviors that take up hours of your day, you may have OCD. 

In addition, OCD can also cause unwanted thoughts or disturbing mental images about sex or violence that lead you to worry about harming yourself or others. 

3. Your compulsions don’t provide long-term relief

Washing your hands, locking your door, or cleaning your house knowing you’re safe from germs or outside intruders can feel satisfying. However, if you have OCD, a compulsion based on an obsessive worry won’t provide relief. Even if it does, it is short-lived, and you’ll feel the need to repeat the compulsion. 

4. Your unwanted thoughts and behaviors interfere with daily life

Having OCD affects almost every aspect of your life. 

You may not be able to focus on work because you’re worried about not being able to wash your hands as frequently as you’d like or that your co-workers will judge you for your compulsive rituals.

Your parenting abilities might be hindered because you fear that something terrible will happen to your children. So, you may keep them from riding a bike or playing with other children for fear of harm or germs, which can prevent proper child development.

Many relationships can also be affected because of your OCD. Friends and family may not be able to fully understand your OCD. These factors can strain any relationship.

5. You have another mental health condition

Around 90% of people who have OCD have at least one other preexisting mental health condition. Common mental health issues that coincide with OCD include depression, substance use disorder, trichotillomania (hair pulling), excoriation (skin picking), and tic disorders. 

If you suspect that you have OCD, help is available at RapidRecover TMS. Schedule an appointment to start getting relief from your OCD symptoms by calling our office or booking online today.