The term “OCD” gets thrown around quite a bit these days. Someone might claim to be “so OCD” because they check their locks twice before leaving the house or because they like their dishes placed in the dishwasher in a specific way. But in truth, OCD is not a heightened sense of caution or a casual preference for symmetry. It is a real and debilitating mental health disorder that negatively impacts daily life.
What is OCD?
OCD, more formally known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, a mental illness that involves persistent intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) and uncontrollable ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) intended to counteract the discomfort of the unwanted obsessions. Only a trained therapist can diagnose OCD, but one of the key factors of an OCD diagnosis is that these uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors negatively affect the person’s work, school, and social relationships.
When does OCD develop?
Symptoms of OCD can develop at any time in a person’s life, but research has pinpointed two distinct time periods when the disorder is most likely to appear:
- Between 8 and 12 years of age
- Between the late teens and age 25
There are rare cases where an infant or a mature adult may show signs and symptoms of OCD. In most cases, OCD develops gradually, but it can come on abruptly. When this happens, it may be the sign of infection-triggered autoimmune encephalitis, a rare type of brain inflammation that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy cells and tissues in the brain spinal cord, resulting in symptoms that mimic OCD and other mental health disorders.
Common obsessions and compulsions
Every person who struggles with OCD has their own experience that may differ slightly or drastically from another person who also suffers from the disorder. But there are some common obsessions and compulsions that tend to appear more frequently.
Common obsessions include:
- Contamination (by dirt, body fluids, etc)
- Loss of control (harming others, blurting insults, etc)
- Perfection (unevenness, losing things, etc)
- Forbidden or perverse sexual thoughts or impulses
- Fear of harm (responsibility for fire, burglary, etc))
- Concern with offending God
- Lucky or unlucky numbers, colors, etc
Common compulsions include:
- Excessive washing and cleaning
- Checking and rechecking for mistakes (unlocked doors, burners left on)
- Arranging and rearranging items until it “feels right”
- Repeating routine activities in multiples
- Repeating body movements (tapping, blinking)
- Mental review of events to prevent terrible consequences
While everyone has intrusive and unwanted thoughts at some point, people who suffer from OCD struggle with obsessions and compulsions that are time-consuming, bring enormous distress, and interfere with their daily life and relationships.
The importance of continued research
The exact cause or causes of OCD are still unknown, though research points to several risk factors, including genetics, brain abnormalities, and childhood trauma. While there are treatments available that can minimize or alleviate the symptoms, they don’t work for everyone, which is why the importance of continued research cannot be overstated. There is still so much we don’t know about obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the more we can learn about the disease, the closer we get to developing effective treatments and therapies for those who need it most.
OCD clinical research study in San Diego
At Synergy Research Centers in San Diego, we’re currently enrolling participants in an OCD clinical study. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with OCD and you live in the San Diego area, give us a call at (888) 619-7272 or fill out our contact form today. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 65.