Monday Mental Health Fact 11/20

Let's talk about OCD.

Have you ever heard someone say "I'm so OCD about having my room clean." Or "You're so OCD about washing your hands before eating."

Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is so much more than making sure you make your bed every morning or being extra clean.

According to the International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that affects people of all ages and walks of life, and occurs when a person gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings. Compulsions are behaviors an individual engages in to attempt to get rid of the obsessions and/or decrease his or her distress.

Most people have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors at some point in their lives, but that does not mean that we all have some OCD."

OCD can look different for everyone. Some people live with what many people call 'Pure O' OCD. Meaning that they experience the obsessive symptoms but not necessarily the compulsions piece.

There are also many disorders that are related to OCD but defined as seperate mental health conditions according to the DSM-5. Some related conditions include: Hoarding, Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors such as Trichotillomania.