Can you recognize OCD symptoms?

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tania Reid
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MacDill AFB, Fla. --  Performing repetitive actions within a day may seem unrealistic, but for many Americans this is a way of life they can't prevent. 

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have persistent, upsetting thoughts or obsessions and use rituals or compulsions to control the anxiety these thoughts produce. 

Dr. Zachary Goral, 6th Medical Group chief of psychiatric services said,  "You need to look for either the presence of obsessions or compulsions. A good screening question for someone with obsessions could be "Do your thoughts ever repeat over and over again like a broken record?"

"Some people are so bothered by having to do something over and over that they can't resist when they try," added Doctor Goral. "It depends on the person and the environmental stressors they are dealing with at the time. There are many types of common obsession or compulsive pairings."

Each individual's obsessions may vary.

"The obsessed may have fears of contamination and engage in frequent hand washing and cleaning; another individual could be obsessed about whether they could have harmed someone while driving; some are obsessed with pathological doubt and constantly check the stove or whether the door is locked," he said.

Doctor Goral added, "Many can be obsessed with symmetry, order, and alleviate anxiety by counting things; others constantly hoard and collect useless items. Of course each person is different, and there particular obsession/compulsion pairing is unique to that individual.

However, while obsessive compulsive disorders can be detected by asking certain questions and the symptoms very visible, the cause can be a combination of the persons' environment.

The classic nature versus nurture question comes into play; you can be born with a certain genetic vulnerability, for example having a parent with the disorder, but whether you exhibit the symptoms depends on how stressful your surrounding environment is at the time, he said.

Additionally, there are psychological tests that can help detect symptoms of OCD.

OCD can be treated with either medication or psychotherapy. Psychiatric studies show that the combination of both medication and therapy works the best. Common types of therapies used in OCD include Exposure-Response Prevention Therapy, Cognitive Restructuring, Supportive Techniques and Family Therapy.

"I also recommend activities that help to slow one's thoughts including meditation and low impact exercise including slow walks, Tai Chi and Yoga," he said.

There are many common misconceptions about the causes of this disease.

"Just because you are clean and orderly does not mean you are exhibiting symptoms of OCD. This may just be an aspect of your personality, and may not necessarily be symptoms," said Doctor Goral. "Stress does not cause OCD, although sometimes symptoms begin after a severe trauma. The symptoms however may also increase in times of stress."

Childhood illnesses do not cause OCD, although some studies suggest that a strep infection may trigger the sudden onset of symptoms in children who are genetically predisposed to OCD.

Help for persons with this disorder are encouraged.

"Look for someone who is unable to let go of a particular task, or seems to have difficulty relaxing. I think it most important to be supportive, non-judgmental, to help them to permit themselves to take a break and relax once in awhile," said Doctor Goral. "There are OCD support groups in many communities where individuals diagnosed with OCD can go for support."

For more information on this disorder contact the Mental Health Clinic at 827-9171.