OCD Anxiety: How is it Different from Generalized Anxiety?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that was originally considered to be a type of anxiety disorder, though it was distinguished from Generalized Anxiety Distorder (GAD). It was later reclassified as a separate unique mental health condition by the American Psychiatric Association.

Even though OCD is no longer categorized as part of the anxiety family in the two leading diagnostic manuals – the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5-TR and the World Health Organization’s ICD-10 – anxiety is one of its primary symptoms.

The key difference between OCD anxiety and generalized anxiety is the presence of compulsions.

The person suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is subject to unwanted intrusive irrational thoughts that lead him or her to engage in compulsive behaviors to prevent the feared outcomes from happening and stop the anxiety-producing thoughts. However, his or her compulsions only add fuel to his or her obsessive anxiety-provoking thoughts, and wind up perpetuating the obsessive-compulsive cycle instead.

People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) may do a lot of worrying, but they don’t typically use compulsive behaviors to cope.

Similarities and differences between OCD anxiety and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Content of the anxiety. Both OCD anxiety and generalized anxiety are the results of unwanted thoughts and an extreme, disproportionate concern over a possible threat. People with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) may worry about something bad happening and catastrophize or think of worst-case scenarios.

Their anxiety may be excessive, but the topics are plausible and are usually centered on common, real-life concerns such as health issues, unpaid bills, relationship problems, an upcoming job interview, or giving a presentation at work.

People with OCD are plagued by more unrealistic, improbable anxiety-producing thoughts that extend beyond everyday concerns and typically revolve around a theme such as contamination or causing harm to someone.

Persistence of the anxiety. People with generalized anxiety tend to jump from one anxious thought to another. The anxiety-producing thoughts of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, on the other hand, are intrusive and unwanted and keep surfacing over and over no matter how hard the person tries to get rid of them.

Response to the anxiety. People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder try to suppress their anxieties by engaging in repetitive ritualistic visible or mental behaviors that often impair their ability to perform their everyday responsibilities at home or work. Even though they may understand that these behaviors are irrational and unhelpful, and don’t enjoy doing them, they feel compelled to do it out of fear that if they don’t, something terrible will happen.

People suffering from GAD, on the other hand, typically do not exhibit such compulsions. They are more likely to exhibit physical symptoms such as hyperventilation or digestive issues, and to try and avoid the source of their anxiety rather than use compulsive behaviors to ease their distress.

When considering treatment, a correct diagnosis is important because an approach that helps someone with OCD anxiety may not be as effective for someone with GAD, and vice versa. A trained mental health professional experienced in treating OCD and GAD can help you pinpoint your anxiety type, recognize your irrational thoughts and what triggers them, and equip you with the necessary coping skills for dealing with your issues.

If you have questions and/or would like to set up an appointment to meet with one of the faith-based counselors in the online directory, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.