Obsessive Compulsive Behavior: (OCD)
Symptoms and Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Are you or a loved one displaying obsessive compulsive behavior? If so, discover more about the symptoms and treatment of this complex disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder that can severely interfere with daily living. For example, a person suffering from OCD will often perform ritualistic behaviors in order to ease the anxiety of his or her obsessive thoughts. And more often than not, the obsessions and compulsions are very time consuming for the person who is struggling with this disorder.

What are Obsessions:

Obsessions are thoughts, images, and/or impulses that reoccur on a consistent, unmanageable basis. Because these obsessions are so overwhelming, an individual will feel tremendous pressure to "get rid" of their thoughts or images. An example of an obsession is:

"I cannot touch that doorknob!"

What are Compulsions:

A compulsion is the need to act on one's irrational thoughts, images, or impulses in order to relieve the anxiety, stress, and discomfort that obsessions cause. An example of a compulsion is:

"Washing one's hands many times after having to touch the doorknob."

Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

Although each case is different, there are common symptoms a person with this disorder will endure. The symptoms range in severity and combination over a period of time in the OCD sufferer’s life. However, there are a few symptoms that drive obsessive compulsive behavior no matter what severity, combination, or period of time.

These symptoms include overwhelming feelings of doubt, fear, and perfection. The obsessive thoughts and feelings of doubt, fear, and perfection can drive a person to compulsively do things in a perfect, orderly way. If the task is not carried out the way the OCD sufferer intended, an overwhelming sense of responsibility (control) and disappointment sets in.

Once again, severity and combination is an individual matter. Many people reading these symptoms more likely than not will say, “I have done that!” or “That’s me!”

However, the only way to know whether or not obsessive compulsive behavior is a problem is to determine if any of these symptoms are interfering with your daily living (i.e. affecting your ability to work, socialize, drive, or go out into public situations.) If the answer is yes, it may be time to get help.

Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Behavior:

Finding the appropriate treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be a frustrating process because there are few professionals who specialize in treating OCD

Of course, there are several mental health therapists, psychiatrists, and other health care providers who are familiar with OCD. However, in order for treatment to work, the professional needs to know a lot about OCD in order to provide the intensive treatment an OCD sufferer needs.

What is the Best Source of Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Behavior:

OCD was once known to be an untreatable disease. However, the good news is, this is no longer true. Typically, the combination of medication and therapy help many people with common mental disorders (e.g. depression, general anxiety). However, in the case of OCD the combination approach does not always help.

Psychotropic Medication:

Antidepressants (e.g. Paxil, Lexapro, Prozac) are commonly used to treat OCD. The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation claims, however, that not all antidepressants have an effect on OCD symptoms. Some reasons may be due to the complications of treating OCD and it's related disorders. For instance, a psychiatrist may be able to treat OCD with the appropriate antidepressant medication, yet struggle to find the right medication combination to treat the sufferer's OCD and depression. Fortunately, researchers continue to study new antidepressants as possible treatment options for OCD sufferers.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is typically the best form of treatment for OCD. The cognitive aspect of CBT helps a person replace negative, irrational thinking with positive, rational thinking. Whereas, the behavioral aspect helps a person face their dysfunctional thoughts by coming into contact with his or her fears.

The Anxiety Treatment Experts recommend Exposure and Ritual Prevention (ERP) techniques for those suffering with OCD. This source of treatment is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

The purpose of ERP is to gradually expose the OCD sufferer to their feared obsessions. The Anxiety Experts claim this form of cognitive-behavioral therapy has amazing results to those suffering with OCD due to the confidence he or she builds after facing one's fears. The OCD sufferer discovers that their obsessive compulsive behavior can be controlled in a rational way through the process of changing one's thoughts and facing one's fears.

Psychotropic Medication, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or Both?

If one had to choose between medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy, therapy would be the best option. Of course, there are those who choose both, but therapy is best suited for OCD.

However, it's important to note that not all types of therapy are beneficial to an OCD sufferer. For instance, "traditional" talk therapy (psychotherapy) typically does not have an effect on a obsessive compulsive behavior.

Finding the Right Therapist:

The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation has a pamphlet geared toward finding the right therapist to treat OCD. You will find information about the types of questions to ask when searching for the appropriate therapist, as well as the answers you will want this therapist to respond with.

Finding the Right Psychiatrist

Finding the right psychiatrist is a matter of preference, patience, and financial concern. You are more likely to find a psychiatrist before you would find a therapist who specializes in treating OCD

A psychiatrist will treat the obsessive compulsive behavior with the appropriate psychotropic medication. Yet, it's important to be open and honest with your psychiatrist. Let them know when the medication isn't helping or your experiencing extreme side effects. If there is concern about taking a certain medication let your psychiatrist know.

Hales D. & Hales R.E.,M.D.,1996. Caring for the Mind: The Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health. New York, Bantam Books

American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2000. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. Washington, D.C., American Psychiatric Association