Could I Be Having OCD ?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions) or the urge to do something over and over again
(compulsions). Some people can have both obsessions and compulsions.
OCD isn’t about habits like biting your nails or thinking negative thoughts. An obsessive thought might be that certain numbers or colors are “good” or “bad.” A compulsive habit might be to
wash your hands seven times after touching something that could be dirty. Although you may not want to think or do these things, you feel powerless to stop.
According to the DSM 5 (Diagnostic Statistical Manual), it further states that for a diagnosis of OCD to be established, the patient has to exhibit the following symptoms;
· obsessive thoughts, compulsions or both.
· The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images, or to neutralize them with some thought or action (i.e., by performing a compulsion).
· The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation. However, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive
· The obsessions or compulsions are time consuming (e.g., take more than 1 hour per day) or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
· The disturbance is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder
What is the difference between OCD and perfectionism?
OCD is a psychological disorder that causes a person to have both compulsions and obsessions.
Obsessions and compulsions involve thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions)
Anyone, with or without a mental illness, can be a perfectionist, but it is not by itself a psychological disorder. Perfectionism is a personality trait that’s a mental health risk. It results
from experiences and beliefs that start to become ingrained in a person during their childhood years. Perfectionism is a maladaptive (harmful) characteristic of faulty self-esteem and has many problems associated with it.
However if the perfectionism becomes detrimental to the individual’s social , occupational state then it could potentially be a feature of OCPD(Obsessive compulsive personality disorder)
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCD-P) refers to a person who is psychologically characterized by perfectionism, orderliness, tidiness, and structure. They are completely devoted
to observing precise schedules, rule-following, and timeliness. They also often are prone to hoarding behaviors.
Psychologist,
Chiromo Hospital Group.
3 Comments
Rehema
Quite insightful. For so long I have confused OCPD for OCD.
How do we manage either or both??
CHG
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder used to be categorized under Anxiety Disorders in the DSM IV is now an independent disorder on its own in the DSM V. It is characterized by having recurrent, unwanted and intrusive thoughts about a particular object within the environment which propels anxiety or distress. The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges or images or to neutralize them with some other thought or action. The individual also tends to have compulsions which are repetitive behaviors that are meant to act upon the obsessive thoughts. The person is fully aware of it being an anxiety triggering disorder and the motive for behavior stems from need to avoid anxiety or perceived risk.
On the other hand, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with perfection and control over environment. The individual might not be aware of it being a personality disorder and the motive of the behavior stems from need to be perfect. The symptoms occur consistently overtime.
By Khalifah khalid
Hospital Psychologist
Chiromo Hospital Group
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