Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions that significantly affect the daily lives of those who suffer from it. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images or impulses that occur recurrently and persistently, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors that seek to relieve the anxiety generated by obsessions. In this article, we will explore 11 typical obsessions and compulsions in OCD.
1. Contamination and cleanliness
A common obsession in OCD is the fear of contamination by germs or other substances. Those who suffer from this obsession often fear getting sick or getting others sick, which can lead to compulsions of excessive hand washing, extreme cleaning of objects, or avoiding places considered dirty.
Common compulsion: Repetitive hand washing for periods of time. prolonged.
2. Doubts and the need for symmetry
Obsessions related to the need for order, symmetry or perfection are common in OCD. People can become obsessed with thinking that something bad will happen if things are not perfectly aligned or balanced, which often manifests itself in compulsions to constantly count, sort, or check.
Common compulsion: Counting or repeating rituals until "feel" that they are complete correctly.
3. Aggression and moral doubts
Obsessions related to physical or moral aggression, such as harming others or being responsible for some unpleasant event, are common in OCD. These obsessions can generate strong emotional discomfort, leading to compulsions such as avoiding situations that trigger these obsessions or taking actions to counteract them.
Common compulsion: Repeating "protective" words or phrases mentally to counteract intrusive thoughts .
4. Perfectionism and the need to do things "correctly"
Obsessions related to perfectionism usually manifest themselves in the need for things to be done precisely and without errors. People with these obsessions often experience great anxiety if they feel that something is not done correctly, which can lead to compulsions of constant revision or repetition of tasks.
Common compulsion: Repeatedly checking work done for of errors despite having reviewed it multiple times.
5. Intrusive and taboo thoughts
Obsessions with intrusive or taboo thoughts, such as sexual, violent, or religious thoughts, are characteristics of OCD. These thoughts generate great distress in those who experience them, which can lead to compulsions to avoid triggering situations or take actions to "cancel" the thoughts.
Common compulsion: Avoiding certain situations or places that may provoke intrusive thoughts.
6. Imminent danger and need for prevention
Obsessions related to anticipating situations of imminent danger or disasters are common in OCD. Those who experience these obsessions often feel intense and recurring anxiety, which can lead to compulsions to constantly check the safety of their surroundings or carry out preventive rituals.
Common compulsion: Constantly checking if doors are closed or electronic devices are turned off to prevent possible damage.
7. Object accumulation and difficulty disposing
Obsessions related to the accumulation of objects or difficulty disposing of unnecessary things are common in OCD. People with these obsessions often experience great discomfort when getting rid of objects, which can lead to compulsions to keep unnecessary things or accumulate objects in a disorderly manner.
Common compulsion: Keeping irrelevant objects for fear of needing them in the future, even if they have no value.
8. Need for symmetry and proportion
Obsessions related to symmetry and proportion manifest themselves in the need for things to be perfectly balanced. People who experience these obsessions often spend a lot of time adjusting objects or performing repetitive actions until they feel that everything is in harmony.
Common compulsion: Constantly rearranging objects so that they are aligned symmetrically or proportionally.Common compulsion: Constantly rearranging objects so that they are aligned symmetrically or proportionally.
9. Religion and moral conscientiousness
Obsessions related to religious issues or moral conscientiousness are characteristics of OCD. Those who suffer from these obsessions usually become obsessed with the idea of committing some sin or impure act, which can lead to compulsions to repeat prayers or perform religious rituals excessively.
Common compulsion: Praying repeatedly or performing acts religious to counteract intrusive thoughts related to the sacred.
10. Order and organization
Obsessions related to order and organization manifest themselves in the need for things to be structured in a specific way. People with these obsessions often experience anxiety if things are not arranged in a certain pattern, which can lead to compulsions to constantly rearrange or precisely align objects.
Common compulsion: Constantly rearranging spaces so that everything is exactly in its place.
11. Health and illness
Obsessions related to health and illness are common in OCD. Those who suffer from these obsessions often become obsessed with the idea of being sick or developing some serious illness, which can lead to compulsions of constant body checking, searching for medical information, or frequent medical consultations.
Common compulsion: Constant checking the body in search of symptoms or carrying out medical check-ups even without having reasons to worry about one's health.
In conclusion, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions that generate great discomfort and affect the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Identifying the typical obsessions and compulsions in OCD is essential to be able to address this disorder effectively and provide the necessary support to those who suffer from it.