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Could it be OCD? 6 signs to look out for

Awareness of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is growing. Yet most people are unaware of the true extent of its impact. OCD can be a debilitating condition. It often creates overwhelming feelings of anxiety and doubt. And compels people to engage in unwanted repetitive behaviours. Understanding the signs and symptoms is crucial. Knowledge is power. In this blog post, we’ll explore six key indicators that might suggest OCD has woven its way into your life.

  1. Contamination Obsessions and Cleaning Compulsions. Do you find yourself worrying about germs or contamination? Do you worry that you’ll become contaminated or contaminate someone else? Are you concerned that this will cause you or someone else to get ill or die? Do you use excessive cleaning rituals or avoidance strategies to reduce this fear? If so, it could be a sign of OCD. Typical symptoms may involve washing your hands so much they become sore. Or avoiding touching certain objects or surfaces. Many people with OCD find creative ways to avoid things. One of my clients used to use their elbow to turn on light switches. Another opened doors by protecting their hands with their sleeve or using their foot. They did the latter only when no one was looking. Another client with contamination obsessions used to undress immediately upon entering their home. Their ‘outside’ clothes were then washed three times. This also applied to other family members which, as you can imagine, had an enormous impact on them all.
  2. Checking Obsessions and Compulsions. Do you check and re-check things? This might take the form of checking whether you’ve locked the door or turned off the hob. One client told me it used to take them 30 minutes of checking every night before they felt safe to go to bed. The same was true whenever they left the house. Is checking using a significant amount of your time too? Does it cause you distress or disruption to your daily life? If so, it’s worth considering whether OCD might be a factor.
  3. Symmetry and Order Obsessions and Compulsions. Do you feel an intense discomfort if items are not arranged with perfect symmetry? Or if things are out of order? Does everything need to be just right? Spending lots of time arranging and rearranging objects until they feel right could be a sign of OCD. Or do you need quantities of things to be in certain numbers to prevent bad things from happening? One client told me they felt compelled to buy two of everything during their weekly grocery shop. Buying only one item left them with an unbearable sense of dread. As such they often overspent and wasted unwanted food.
  4. Intrusive Thoughts. Intrusive thoughts can be particularly distressing for people with OCD. These unwanted, distressing thoughts or images often involve themes of harm or violence. Although you ‘know’ these thoughts are irrational, you may find them difficult to shake. You may also be feeling guilty, ashamed or anxious about them. One client crossed to the other side of the road every time they saw an elderly person. This was because they were so fearful they might push them over. Another couldn’t watch the evening news because it would set off thoughts of going to prison. Despite them being a good, law-abiding citizen.
  5. Ruminations. Do you replay past events or conversations over and over in your mind? Do you obsess about whether you said or did the right thing? For example, it could be about a task you completed at work. Or about whether you behaved appropriately at a social event. This may be OCD. People experiencing these ruminations will often seek lots of reassurance from others. Sometimes, they’ll find covert ways to do this. One client, after leaving work for the day, became anxious they may have left a tap on. The anxiety became too much so they made an excuse to call work. They only felt reassured when there was no mention of any disasters. Ruminations can be exhausting and overwhelming. They can make it difficult to focus on anything else or move past the intrusive thoughts.
  6. Magical Thinking and Superstitions. Do you have certain rituals or habits that you need to do to prevent bad things from happening? This might include avoiding cracks in the pavement. Or counting in specific patterns. Or repeating certain phrases or prayers. These rituals may provide temporary relief from anxiety. Yet, they serve only to reinforce the cycle of OCD.

If any of these signs resonate with you, it’s essential to remember that you’re not alone. OCD is a treatable condition. There are effective therapies and medications available to help manage symptoms. Seeking support from a qualified mental health professional is the first step. They can help you understand your experiences and develop strategies to cope.

I’ve seen many people take control of their symptoms and lead a fulfilling life. You can do it too. Remember, you deserve support and compassion as you make your journey towards wellness.

Carolyn Gillan, Counsellor, Hypnotherapist, Supervisor, Plymouth

Carolyn Gillan

Carolyn is a counsellor, hypnotherapist and supervisor based in Plymouth, UK. She offers counselling and hypnotherapy at her practice in Plymouth and online via Zoom.

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