OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) is a condition in which people have persistent, unwelcome thoughts, ideas, or feelings (obsessions) that compel them to carry out repetitive actions or rituals (compulsions).
There are lots of people who have tendencies towards obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors, but as a rule, these don’t interfere with their ability to carry on a normal life. Being compulsively neat and tidy, for example, often has benefits rather than being a problem, as long as your compulsions don’t start taking over.
If you have OCD, unwanted thoughts won’t go away and can cause significant distress. The compulsive behaviors often arise as a coping mechanism for dealing with the obsessive thoughts, but end up causing further distress if you can’t complete your rituals in precisely the right way.
Obsessions can develop over anything in your life or that catches your attention, but OCD obsessions are typically unpleasant or frightening, and often seem out of character. Taboo subjects are often the focus of obsessions.
Common types of obsessions include:
When these obsessions don’t go away, the distress can lead you to try and control your feelings using activities that you feel you have to carry out.
Compulsions can take the form of any repetitive action, but common examples include switching lights on and off a set number of times, washing until your skin starts to bleed, and having to repeatedly check the door lock when leaving the house.
Gwinnett Psychiatry provides both general and sub-specialty psychiatric care for children, adolescents and adults. We work to ensure a careful, thorough evaluation followed by comprehensive multi-modal outpatient treatment.
Address : 170 Camden Hill Road
Suite: F Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: (678) 226-2295
Fax: (678) 226-2296