According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association, obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is characterized by problems with repetitive thoughts and behaviors that take up excessive periods of time, cause distress or significant impairment in daily functioning. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that the condition afflicts approximately 2.2 million American adults. It is characterized by several symptoms.
Repetitive and Recurrent Thoughts
These thoughts or images intrude on an individual's conscious and, at times, may constantly run through his head. Often, they are inappropriate to the situation and cause stress and anxiety. The Mayo Clinic provides examples of obsessions, including a fear of getting dirty, obsessions with organization, violent thoughts or fears of sickness and death.
Thoughts are Not Connected to Real Life Problems
The intrusive and disturbing thoughts exceed reasonable worries about life's problems and stresses.
Cannot Stop or Reduce the Thoughts
An individual may work to ignore the disturbing thoughts and images to no avail. Distraction attempts are ineffective.
Recognition That the Thoughts Come From His or Her Mind
With some forms of mental illness an individual may believe that some outside force places thoughts in their mind. But individuals with OCD recognize that the problematic thoughts and images originate from their own mind
Repetitive Behaviors or Mental Acts
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual provides examples of repetitive behaviors, including hand washing, ordering or checking and mental acts, including praying, counting, or repeating words quietly. The individual feels as if these behaviors and mental activities must be conducted in a certain manner or that they must adhere to particular rules.
Engaging in Behaviors to Reduce Distress and Fear
Obsessions cause significant anxiety and fear for an individual. In an effort to reduce the anxiety or fear, the person carries out behaviors that he believes will accomplish this. Additionally, if fears of negative events exist, the individual believes that engaging in particular behaviors will serve to prevent these horrible outcomes from occurring. The behaviors are excessive and are not considered by others a realistic way to prevent the feared event. The Mayo Clinic provides examples of such behaviors, including fear of contamination resulting in a refusal to shake hands or touch "infected" objects, worry about failing to turn off the stove or lock the door, so the individual repeatedly checks these items or distress about objects being orderly--therefore, they must all be turned a certain way.
Recognition that the Obsessions and Compulsions are Excessive
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual indicates that an individual with OCD recognizes at some point that her thoughts and behaviors are unreasonable or excessive. In other words, the individual realizes a problem exists.
References
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
- Mayo Clinic: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Symptoms
- National Institute of Mental Health: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
