Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

“You’re OCD.” “They’re OCD.” “I’m OCD.” Those three letters get thrown around a lot, but what do they mean? They stand for obsessive compulsive disorder, a diagnosable mental health condition that may require treatment. OCD, therefore, might not be three letters that people should throw out so flippantly.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is diagnosed by mental health professionals. Professionals who can diagnose OCD include licensed therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists (Krouse, 2024). Diagnosis of OCD typically requires a psychological evaluation, as well as a physical exam to rule out any physical causes of symptoms (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2023). If professionals rule out physical causes of symptoms, they will then begin to evaluate for evidence of obsessions and compulsions. An obsession is a repetitive thought or idea that a person cannot get rid of without performing some action (Geller, 2022). That action, usually done repetitively and/or ritualistically, is called a compulsion. Compulsions may include, but are not limited to hand washing, cleaning, counting, or checking and rechecking. To get a diagnosis of OCD, these obsessions and compulsions must not only be present, but they must disrupt daily life. The diagnostic criteria for OCD states that compulsions take up over an hour a day, causes distress, and impede work and social life. A diagnosis of OCD is serious.

People living with OCD can suffer greatly. Their obsessive thoughts can feel overwhelming (McGrath, 2023). These thoughts can cause “mental and physical distress.” Compulsions done in attempts to cope with the obsessive thoughts can take time away from meaningful activities. Obsessions and compulsions can strain important relationships. OCD results in near constant anxiety and hypervigilance (Quick, 2022). It can lead to exhaustion (Montare Behavioral Health, n.d.). People do not choose to have OCD. It is not a “light” condition, but rather a heavy one.

Although it is a serious, sometimes debilitating condition, there is treatment for OCD. Once evaluated and diagnosed, individuals can seek that treatment to pursue better lives for themselves. Most people want to control their own lives, rather than feeling controlled by obsessions and compulsions.