Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental condition that is closely related to anxiety. It is common for individuals to have certain rituals and to prefer things to be tidy or organized a “certain way.” But people with OCD are excessive in these thoughts and behaviors to the point where they significantly disrupt their lives. True OCD is relatively rare, with only 1-2% of adults in the U.S. being diagnosed with this condition. The most common symptoms of OCD are:

• Repeated thoughts or urges (called obsessions) that the person cannot control and which cause the person anxiety.

• Intrusive thoughts which may be violent or sexual in nature, or otherwise disturbing to the individual, such as a thought of self-harm or aggression toward others

• Compulsive behaviors which the person feels driven to perform, which may include hand washing, checking things (such as locks or doors), praying or counting

• Fears or intense anxiety about specific objects (bugs, germs, blood), situations or locations (such as public restrooms or hospitals)

A person with OCD may worry particularly about cleanliness and germs, and as a result avoid going to public places or someplace that they fear is “contaminated.” Another common fear of a person with OCD is that some kind of harm will come to them or their loved ones, due to something that they did or did not do. Obsessions and compulsions may also have a religious theme as well. So, a person with religious OCD might feel compelled to pray repeatedly or perform some other ritual over and over. It is important to note that the beliefs are often irrational and don’t make sense (for example, a person may believe that if they do not perform a certain ritual such as walking up an even number of stairs, their loved one will die). Obsessions and compulsions are time-consuming (sometimes taking hours every day), and interfere with the individual’s daily functioning at home, work, or school. Related to OCD is hoarding disorder, in which a person accumulates too many items and has difficulty parting with them, and hair or skin-picking disorder, in which a person compulsively picks at their skin or hair in an attempt to relieve anxiety. 

Treatment of OCD is aimed at reducing symptoms in order to improve the quality of a person’s life. At the ADHD and Neurofeedback Center, we help individuals with OCD change connections in their brains through scientifically-tested therapy. It is possible to obtain partial or total relief from OCD symptoms and enjoy a more productive life.