Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Introduction

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is, in fact, an anxiety disorder. It is characterized by what are known as obsessive thoughts – impulses, urges, images, or doubts that are unwanted and spontaneously appear in our minds.

Unlike other thoughts, these obsessions trigger intense anxiety because they are perceived as unacceptable, repugnant, or completely misaligned with our sense of self – almost the opposite of who we believe we are.
As a result, when they suddenly appear out of nowhere, they cause distress and emotional discomfort.

Evidences in our life

In an attempt to alleviate or even neutralize these thoughts, we engage in repetitive behaviors – known as compulsions – which eventually become habits we struggle to break.

Compulsions can be overt – physical actions that are visible to others – or covert, meaning they occur mentally, such as repeating numbers in our minds, reciting phrases, or thinking of a “good word.”

Before we even realize it, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that we feel compelled to perform in order to “cancel out” the thought.

At times, this disorder can become debilitating, forcing us to change our routines. For example, we might restrict activities we once enjoyed, wake up significantly earlier to complete our rituals, or take much longer to do simple things like cooking, grocery shopping, or going to work. Over time, this routine can become exhausting, leaving us feeling drained by the end of the day – not to mention the difficulty of maintaining focus throughout daily life.