BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Top Ways You Can Identify and Manage
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
By J. Edwards Holt
LIFE CAN BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT WHEN LIVING WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS. NOT KNOWING WHY YOU FEEL A CERTAIN WAY OR FEEL COMPELLED TO DO CERTAIN THINGS CAN EXACERBATE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND MAKE THEM WORSE. IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN’T CONTROL URGES TO DO OR THINK ABOUT IRRATIONAL THINGS, YOU MAY HAVE OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD). LEARNING MORE ABOUT WHY YOU THINK OR FEEL CERTAIN WAYS CAN HELP YOU DEAL WITH YOUR IMPULSIVE THOUGHTS.
What is OCD? OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, features unwanted thoughts and compulsions that interfere with daily life. Those dealing with OCD are caught up in an obsessive and compulsive cycle. The obsessions are continuous intrusive thoughts and distressing feelings. The compulsions are ritualized, repetitive behaviors they engage in to relieve some of the builtup anxiety around these obsessive thoughts. When someone has OCD, their obsessions and compulsions get in the way of their activities and values.
everyone has a psychological disorder. While “obsessing” is a commonly used term, it’s more all-consuming when referencing OCD. Many people experience intrusive thoughts, concerns about a loved one’s safety, or worry about the choices they make. But those who have OCD have constant intrusive thoughts, and these thoughts trigger extreme anxiety.
How to identify the symptoms
If you have OCD, your thoughts and compulsions interfere with your daily life. For example, you may worry you left the light or oven on. It isn’t enough to check once. You must check 10 times to make sure everything is in order. Even after you check the first time, you feel as if you must keep checking.
Most people will experience some form of obsessive-compulsive thoughts in their life. However, that doesn’t mean
Another factor is the context of the obsessive-compulsive cycles. Some people like to keep things neat and orderly, but
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