- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a serious anxiety-related condition where a person experiences frequent intrusive and unwelcome obsessional thoughts, usually followed by repetitive compulsions or urges.
Some 50% of cases of OCD fall into the severe category, while only a quarter of cases fall into the mild category. It can be so debilitating that the World Health Organisation (WHO) listed it as on of the 20 most debilitating illnesses in the world.
OCD affects 12 in 1000 people (1.2% of the populations). It can affect anyone, from young children to adults, regardless of gender or social or cultural background.
Causes of OCD
Despite considerable research into the condition, scientists have not been able to identify a definitive cause for developing OCD. It is believed to be the result of a combination of neurobiological, genetic, behavioural, cognitive or environmental factors that trigger the disorder in an individual at a particular time in their life.
Types of OCD
An individual's OCD usually falls into one of four categories:
Checking- Individuals with this type of OCD have an obsessional fear of causing damage and harm and feel the need to check things.
-Water taps
-Door locks
-Car doors
-Wallet or purse
Contamination/ Mental Contamination- Individuals with this of OCD have an obsessional fear that something is contaminated or may cause illness. They are compelled to wash or clean. Common fears include:
-Using public toilets
-Visiting hospitals
-Touching door handles
-Being in a crowd
Mental contamination is a less obvious form of OCD. Feelings of mental contamination arise from a person feeling badly treated, through critical or abusive remarks. The source is primarily human, unlike in contact contamination, which can be caused by inanimate objects.
Hoarding- The inability to discard useless or worn out possessions. It used to be believed that this subtype of OCD was less responsive to treatment, but research has now suggested treatment is just as effective for this type of OCD as for others.
Ruminations/ Intrusive Thoughts- A rumination is a train of prolonged thinking about a question or a theme that is undirected or unproductive. Many ruminations dwell on religious, philosophical or metaphysical topics.
One example would be when someone dwell on what happens after death. They would weigh up all various theoretical possibilities and try to remember what philosophers or scientists have said.
Intrusive thoughts are when a person generally suffers with obsessional thoughts that are repetitive and often horrific. Common thoughts include:
Relationships; analysing the depth of feelings for their partner, doubts the faithfulness of their partner, questioning their own sexuality
Sexual thoughts; fear of being a paedophile, fear of being sexually attracted to a member of their family
Magical thinking; believing a certain colour has good or bad luck attached to it, believing breaking chain letters will actually bring bad luck
Religious thinking; believing sins will never be forgiven by God and they will go to Hell, believing they are always doing something sinful
Violent thoughts; thinking about killing other people, thoughts about accidentally touching someone inappropriately, with the aim of hurting them
How is OCD diagnosed?
OCD is usually diagnosed when obsessions and compulsions:
-Consume excessive amounts of time (usually an hour or more)
-Cause significant distress and anguish
-Interfere with daily functioning at home, work, school or interfere with social activities/ relationships
Celebrities who suffer with OCD
Megan Fox
Cameron Diaz
David Beckham
Leonardo DiCaprio