Obsessive Compulsive Tendencies

By Alex Groberman, Tue, August 09, 2011

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that is generally highlighted by unwanted and unreasonable thoughts, fears and/or obsessions. These thoughts, fears and obsessions often then lead sufferers to have to complete particular repetitive behaviors, also known as compulsions. Despite the fact that people with OCD realize that they don’t want to be thinking the thoughts they’re thinking or committing the actions they’re doing, they often find themselves powerless to stop any of it from happening.

That increased stress which stems from this powerlessness simply worsens OCD, and drives sufferers to do even more unwanted thinks.

Many researchers have pointed to the fact that people who deal with OCD often fall into several notable categories. Some have a thing for cleanliness, they are afraid to get contaminated and compulsively wash their hands. Others commit to a more repetitive streak. They constantly have to do the same thing over and over again until it feels just right.

Some of the more well-known tendencies that OCD sufferers experience are:

• Fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt or contaminating others.
• Fear of causing harm to yourself or others.
• Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts and images.
• Excessive focus on religious or moral ideas.
• Fear of losing or not having things you might need.
• Order and symmetry: the idea that everything must line up “just right.”
• Superstitions; excessive attention to something considered lucky or unlucky.
At the same time of the more well-known OCD behaviors are:
• Excessive double-checking of things, such as locks, appliances, and switches.
• Repeatedly checking in on loved ones to make sure they’re safe.
• Counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety.
• Spending a lot of time washing or cleaning.
• Ordering or arranging things “just so.”
• Praying excessively or engaging in rituals triggered by religious fear.
• Accumulating “junk” such as old newspapers or empty food containers.
Anyone who thinks they might be suffering from OCD but isn’t sure should get a diagnosis from a specialist as soon as possible.

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