Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder that affects a significant percentage of the world's population. People who suffer from OCD experience unwanted and recurring thoughts and compulsive behaviors that seek to relieve the anxiety caused by these obsessions. In this article, we will explore the 10 most common signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of OCD in a person.
1. Recurrent obsessions
One of the main characteristics of OCD are recurrent obsessions, unwanted thoughts that invade the person's mind persistently. These thoughts are usually irrational and cause great anxiety in the individual. Common examples of obsessions include fear of contamination, violent or sexual thoughts, need for symmetry and perfection, among others.
2. Repetitive Compulsions
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person with OCD performs in an attempt to relieve anxiety caused by their obsessions. These behaviors may include hand-washing rituals, counting or repeating words in your mind, touching objects in a specific order, among others. Compulsions provide temporary relief, but do not solve the underlying problem.
3. Excessive ritualization
People with OCD tend to engage in excessive rituals that consume a large amount of time in their daily lives. These rituals can significantly interfere with the person's daily activities, causing problems in their work, social and family life.
4. Need for control
People with OCD often feel an excessive need to control their environment to avoid situations that trigger their obsessions. This can manifest itself in extreme rigidity in schedules and routines, as well as the need for order and symmetry in your environment.
5. Trigger Avoidance
As a result of their obsessions and compulsions, people with OCD tend to avoid situations or stimuli that trigger their anxiety. This can lead to social isolation, difficulties at work or in interpersonal relationships, as the person tries to avoid anything that could activate their obsessions.
6. Intrusive Thoughts
Intrusive thoughts are a key feature of OCD, and sufferers experience unwanted thoughts that persistently infiltrate their mind. These thoughts are usually obscene, violent or inappropriate, which causes great distress in the person and drives them to perform compulsions to calm their anxiety.
7. Constant doubts
People with OCD tend to experience constant doubts about their actions, thoughts, and decisions. This uncertainty can lead to a constant cycle of rumination and review of actions, seeking assurance that everything is in order and that they have not made any serious mistakes.
8. Extreme Perfectionism
Perfectionism is common in people with OCD, as they seek perfection in all aspects of their life as a way to maintain control and reduce anxiety. However, this excessive desire for perfection can lead to an endless cycle of dissatisfaction and self-demand, which further aggravates your emotional discomfort.
9. Extreme distress
Anxiety is a constant in the lives of people with OCD, who experience an extremely high level of distress due to their obsessions and compulsions. This anxiety can manifest itself in physical symptoms such as tachycardia, sweating, difficulty breathing and headaches, among others.
10. Impact on daily life
Finally, one of the most obvious signs of OCD is its impact on a person's daily life. Obsessions and compulsions significantly interfere with a person's normal functioning, affecting their work, relationships, mental health, and emotional well-being. It is important to seek professional help if you experience these symptoms persistently.
In conclusion, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a serious mental condition that can have a significant impact on the lives of those who suffer from it. Identifying the signs and symptoms of OCD is the first step in seeking appropriate help and treatment. If you recognize any of these behaviors in yourself or someone close to you, do not hesitate to seek the support of a mental health professional to receive an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.