4 Ways to Identify Signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

1. Look for Recurring or Persistent Thoughts

The obsessive part of obsessive-compulsive disorder is marked by thoughts, images or impulses that appear in your mind and cause a great deal of anxiety and stress. These are different from normal worries about everyday problems, such as money or family, and are often irrational. They often have no basis in fact, and you may feel an urge to suppress or deny the images in an effort to avoid the negative feelings associated with them. Many obsessive thoughts involve a fear of germs or contamination, a need to repeatedly check things, such as the front door to make sure it's closed, and an instinctive desire to count or organize different things.

2. Watch for Compulsive or Recurring Behavior

Coupled with the obsessive thoughts are compulsive or repeated activities, which are usually aimed at reducing the stress or anxiety associated with the condition. For example, someone obsessed with cleanliness may wash his hands again and again, while someone obsessed with the front door may check it repeatedly to make sure it is closed, even if he knows for a fact that it is. OCD may also involve a series of acts or rituals, which must be performed in a given order. As with the obsessive thoughts, there is often no logical reason behind this compulsive behavior. Though you may engage in it in order to reduce the anxiety of obsessive thoughts, the connection remains solely in your mind.

3. Monitor Time Devoted to Obsessive Thoughts or Compulsive Behavior

Most people have little patches of behavior that may be deemed obsessive from time to time. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder, however, devote so much time to their rituals or obsessive thoughts that they often interfere with normal daily activities. If your routines cause agitation or distress, if they affect work performance, if they interfere with your personal life, or if they take up 1 hour or more every day, you may have a case of obsessive compulsive disorder.

4. Watch for Signs of Other Anxiety Disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can sometimes be accompanied by signs of similar anxiety disorders. It may include depression, phobias, hyperactivity or eating disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be misdiagnosed, so it is important to speak with a trained therapist or psychological professional if you are suffering from signs of an anxiety disorder.