What It’s Like To Have OCD
Published on December 27th, 2018
Updated on March 11th, 2022
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder in which a person suffers from obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are persistent thoughts and impulses. They are difficult to manage and cause anxiety or distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors. They are performed to reduce anxiety or neutralize feared things from happening. Compulsions may also be referred to as rituals. They temporarily reduce the discomfort for a person with OCD.
Obsessions trigger stress for a person with OCD. They come in the forms of intrusive and recurring thoughts, impulses, or disturbing mental images. Obsessions are difficult to manage. They are often eased by performing compulsive rituals, but the relief does not last long. People with OCD repeat rituals in an effort to ease the discomfort that is caused by anxiety and obsessive thoughts.
Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
The key symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder are obsessions and compulsions. A person with OCD performs compulsive rituals to ease obsessive thoughts. They do not enjoy or want to engage in compulsive behaviors, but they are the only way the affected person knows how to ease the distressing obsessive thoughts.
Sponsored by

Get affordable online counseling. Chat with a licensed Psychiatrist.
Get StartedObsessions
Obsessions may come in the form of mental images, intrusive thoughts, or unwanted impulses. They are oppressive and unwanted, but very difficult to control. Obsessions are distressing and do not reflect the real desires of the affected person.
Examples of obsessions include:
- Thoughts of violence or horror
- Fears of germs, dirt, danger, etc
- Obsessive thoughts about being in danger
- Obsessive thoughts about loved ones being in danger
- Distressing mental images or scenarios playing out in the mind
- Persistent impulses passing through the mind (without intention to act on impulses)
A person with OCD may try to ignore or refuse to acknowledge obsessions. Ignoring does not resolve the issue or make obsessions go away. Compulsions are used in an attempt to get rid of or ease obsessions.
Compulsions
Compulsions are used to neutralize obsessions. They may be repetitive outward behaviors or repetitive thought patterns. Compulsions provide a temporary feeling of relief from obsessions. Some people with OCD may also believe that compulsions prevent obsessive thoughts and fears from happening.
The following are examples of compulsive behaviors:
- Repetitive cleaning or washing
- Seeking symmetry
- Feeling stressed when something is out of place
- Checking and re-checking locks
- Checking and re-checking that appliances are turned off
- The need for everything to be organized or aligned in a certain way
- Mental patterns of praying, counting, or repeating phrases
- Ritual behaviors (clicking teeth, counting on fingers, breathing in a certain pattern, blinking, etc.)
- The need to complete certain tasks on a certain number or rhythm
Compulsions are acts that are done in excess or do not actually prevent fears from happening. They may provide relief for the affected person, but are not pleasant to go through.
Compulsions are time-consuming. They affect a person’s quality of life. They do so by impairing functioning for the following:
- Ability to maintain relationships
- Socializing
- Keeping up with life responsibilities
- Taking care of themselves
- Completing tasks in a timely manner
Causes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
There are different factors that may contribute to the onset of OCD. A person’s risk of OCD depends on their circumstances. The way that they grew up, their life experiences, and their genes all contribute to the onset of OCD. Common risk factors of OCD include:
Family History
People who have an immediate family member who suffers from OCD are at increased risk of suffering from OCD. This is partially due to genetics. It can also be due to the modeling of behaviors from family members.
History Of Trauma
Children and adolescents who have experienced the following events are at increased risk of developing OCD:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- A traumatic event
- Childhood illness
Poor Stress Management Skills
Failure to develop healthy stress management skills increases the risk of suffering from OCD. This is especially prevalent for children who struggled with:
- Anxiety
- Fearfulness
- Sadness
- Low self-esteem
- Self-expression
- Behavioral issues
History of Mental Illness
OCD can be co-morbid with other conditions. Suffering from one of the following mental disorders may place a person at increased risk of OCD:
- Anxiety
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Depression
- Social anxiety
- Trichotillomania
- Excoriation disorder
- Hoarding disorder
- ADHD
- Tic disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Bipolar disorder
Treatment Options for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Treatment for OCD typically uses Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP derives from cognitive-behavioral therapy and can be used with children, adolescents, and adults.
The goal of Exposure and Response Prevention is to reduce the compulsive reaction to triggers. ERP also uses CBT techniques to reduce obsessive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors.
OCD may also be treated with medication. This depends on the affected person’s unique case. A mental health professional may recommend psychiatric care along with counseling. In such circumstances, a person may be prescribed antidepressants or antipsychotic medication along with ERP.
Sponsored by

Get affordable online counseling. Chat with a licensed Psychiatrist.
Get Started
Leave A Reply