Defining Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined as a condition in which a person:
Naturally, obsessive thought patterns can often lead to compulsive behavior patterns. If a person is obsessively fixated on avoiding a house fire, for example, then that person may easily find themselves feeling like they need to check the toaster oven every several minutes to make sure it has been unplugged.
1. Do your daydreams often include disturbing mental images?
Those suffering from OCD frequently express fear of being harmed or causing harm to others. The more intense these images are, the more likely they are to trigger compulsive behaviors.
2. Do you repeatedly think about the presence of germs or other pathogens in an area?
Many people suffering from OCD are obsessed with the (real or imagined) presence of germs wherever they are. These obsessive thoughts can lead to compulsive cleaning behaviors that "just never seem to get everything quite clean enough" and feed into a general sense of anxiety.
3. Are you unable to sleep at night until you have organized the shelves in your home in a certain way?
While tidiness can certainly be a virtue, OCD sufferers will often lose sleep over the order of books on a bookshelf or the way that a pantry is stacked. This obsession goes well beyond a general enthusiasm for keeping organized as those with OCD will often arrange an area of their living space before rearranging it several minutes later.
4. Is the idea of losing control over your thoughts, words, or actions and hurting others a big concern for you throughout your day?
Many psychologists view these "control fears" as the foundation of almost all obsessive-compulsive disorders. While specific obsessions and compulsions vary widely among people of all ages, it is the fear of being "imperfect" that seems to remain stable across those who have been diagnosed with OCD.
5. Do you often interrupt an activity to go check on a door lock or an appliance?
Much like compulsive cleaning, compulsive checking behaviors go far beyond simply being diligent. If you find yourself constantly worrying that you may have left a door unlocked or forgotten to turn off the oven, then you may be experiencing some form of OCD.
In Conclusion
In the most extreme cases, OCD can significantly compromise productivity, happiness, and the ability to form healthy and lasting relationships. If you recognize any of the behaviors or thought patterns in the questionnaire above, then Psychological Affiliates of Florida may be able to help. For an initial evaluation, contact us today.