Understanding Compulsion: Signs of OCD

A compulsion is a behavior that is done to alleviate the mental anguish or discomfort that may be caused by factors such as anxiety or depression. In most cases, people who engage in compulsive behaviors are under the impression that they are powerless to resist the urge to carry out the behavior in question. Compulsions can develop from seemingly innocuous actions, such as washing one’s hands, praying, or counting.

Both substance abuse and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are frequently associated with the presence of a compulsion. People who suffer from these conditions engage in compulsive behavior not because they want to, but rather because they believe that they are compelled to do so. In some cases, compulsive behaviors are so mild that they do not constitute a diagnosable mental illness.

A significant number of individuals are plagued by relatively innocuous compulsive behaviors, such as the incessant need to perform a predetermined amount of work, count their steps, or engage in regular physical activity. Compulsions are only included in a person’s mental health diagnosis when they cause the individual distress, get in the way of living a normal life, or put the individual’s health in jeopardy.

People who are addicted to substances compulsively use substances despite the negative effects that this use can have on their bodies, their finances, and their emotions. In cases of substance abuse, compulsive behaviors are frequently carried out in a compulsion to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal or to stop obsessive thoughts about the substance that is being abused.

What is compulsion?

The obsessive and compulsive behaviors that are symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder are where the disorder gets its name. Anxiety is typically the root cause of obsessive thoughts, which are characterized by their characteristics of being recurrent, intrusive, and frequently unwanted.

Compulsions are the behaviors that are performed to alleviate the effects of obsessive thoughts. Compulsive behaviors are something that people with OCD engage in as a means of distracting themselves from their obsessive thoughts. The obsessive thoughts continue to plague them even when they refrain from engaging in the compulsive behavior.

Perform actions according to particular intervals or patterns, such as bathing a particular number of times, tapping an object, or ensuring that a person has a certain number of a particular item.

Common examples of compulsive behaviors include performing actions according to particular intervals or patterns. Methods of compulsive cleanliness include repeatedly washing one’s hands, disinfecting or cleaning one’s environment, picking, or pulling compulsively at the skin or hair.

Compulsions and routines are two entirely different things. When people deviate from their typical routines, such as the rituals they follow before going to bed, the patterns they follow when driving, or the routines they follow when grooming themselves, they may experience some mild discomfort. On the other hand, people who do not have OCD but still follow routines do so more out of habit than in an attempt to suppress obsessive thoughts.

It is estimated that 3.9 million people in the United States are affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder and have been given a formal diagnosis of OCD. Because of this, people who get the appropriate treatment for their anxiety disorder are often able to live their normal lives without being bothered by it.

Lack of attention can lead to feelings of distress or difficulty keeping focused on things other than primary obsessions or compulsions, particularly in individuals who have not yet sought out a diagnosis or assistance from a provider of behavioral health services. Continue reading to gain a better understanding of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, as well as the symptoms that may be associated with it and when it is best to seek the assistance of a trained professional.

What are some of the indicators that you may have OCD?

The following are a few illustrations of how compulsions might manifest themselves in the life of an individual who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Cleaning.

The compulsion of cleaning is the obsessive behavior that is most frequently associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Some people who have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder will spend hours of their day cleaning objects or surfaces until their compulsion is satisfied. This behavior is often prompted by the anxiety that something is unclean or contaminated with germs.

This also applied to the need to clean oneself or the compulsion to accomplish the sensation of being clean. People might spend a considerable amount of time washing their hands multiple times a day or taking multiple showers throughout the day.

Double-checking.

When someone has obsessive-compulsive disorder, the act of “checking” can become a more disruptive process than it is for the rest of us. For example, we have all felt the need to check twice to see if the oven was turned off or if the door was locked before going to bed. This could appear to be someone checking to see if the door is locked over and over again, even though they are aware that it is already locked.

Phrases or activities that are repeated often.

If a person feels the need to repeatedly repeat a phrase, number, word, or action before they can feel at ease, they may be suffering from a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This is typically connected to the notion that a person has that if they do something a certain number of times or perform an action a certain number of times, they will be safe from any potential danger.

This could take the form of a person repeating a phrase to themselves over and over, or it could be as simple as turning a light switch on and off a predetermined number of times before they feel comfortable moving on.

Organization.

A great number of people make light of the necessity they feel to keep everything organized or to maintain a particular appearance. People who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder might experience this to a much greater degree, to the point where they feel the need to arrange an item on a shelf in such a way that it is turned or placed in a very specific way.

In the event that the item does not appear precisely how they believe it ought to, they may experience feelings of anxiety or distress until the issue is resolved. The analogy that comes to mind is rearranging the trinkets on a bookshelf over and over again until they are in just the right spot.

Mental compulsions.

Mental compulsions are often a response to intrusive or incessant thoughts such as harmful or troubling thoughts that the individual does not wish to feel. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can also manifest itself with mental compulsions as a symptom. This might look like a person saying the same thing over and over in their head, praying, or making an effort to push those thoughts out of their head.

Obsessions.

Obsessions are characterized by recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that provoke upsetting feelings such as anxiety, fear, or disgust in the individual. A significant number of people who suffer from OCD are aware that these are mental creations and that they are either excessive or unreasonable. The anguish that is brought on by these intrusive thoughts, on the other hand, cannot be alleviated by using logic or reasoning.

The majority of people who suffer from OCD will engage in compulsions to alleviate the distress caused by their obsessional thinking or to eliminate the perceived dangers. They might also try to distract themselves from the obsessions, ignore or suppress them, or try to ignore the obsessions altogether.

The following are some common examples of the content of obsessive thoughts:

• Concern over the possibility of being tainted by either other people or the environment.
• Disturbing thoughts or images of a sexual nature.
• Frequently offensive concerns or ideas of a religious nature.
• Concern over either inflicting violence or suffering it oneself (self or loved ones).
• An intense fear that something is missing or incomplete.
• A preoccupation with order, symmetry, or precision to an extreme degree.
• Concern over the possibility of misplacing or throwing away something vital.

It is also possible for it to be thoughts, images, sounds, words, or music that appear to have no meaning.

When should you seek out help for compulsion?

If you think you might be suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, it would be in your best interest to speak with a professional in the field of behavioral health. Getting help earlier rather than later can help you avoid growing feelings of anxiety and distress while also assisting you in learning tools to manage your symptoms over time. Getting help can also help you avoid feeling anxious and distressed in the first place.