Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms
The key points of obsessions and compulsions central to the disorder are: One, an idea, impulse or image intrudes itself insistently and persistently into the person’s consciousness. Two, a feeling of anxiety and fear accompanies this central thought and frequently leads the person to take measures to counter it. Three, the obsession or compulsion is not native to the psychological being of the person. Four, the person recognizes the thought or deed as absurd and irrational. Five, the person feels a strong desire to resist the obsessions and compulsions, yet is unable to do so.
Obsessions and compulsions can take many forms. The most common obsession is fear of contamination from germs, and this compels the person to carry intense cleaning rituals. People with this obsession may wash their hands dozens of times each day and this may cause their skin to become raw.
The second most common obsession is the doubt about whether doors are locked and appliances are turned off or not. This drives people to check things over and over again. For example, people with this condition may be compelled into making repeated checks whether they did lock the doors and windows, turned off the gas stove, and closed the water faucet or not. The compulsion is so overpowering that many times a person is compelled to take multiple trips back into the house from his workplace. Other common obsessions include a fear that something terrible might happen-such as the death or illness of a loved one or self, or that a fire may break out. Some people may be obsessed about symmetry, order or exactness; forbidden or disturbing sexual thoughts, images, or pictures; nonsensical impulses such as shouting in public; and thoughts of accidentally and unknowingly harming someone. People may also avoid shaking hands with people because of the fear of contamination, or may stop taking the wheel because of the fear they will injure someone in a traffic accident.
Some 75 per cent people relieve the anxiety of their obsessions by performing equally irrational acts (compulsions). They are carried out to prevent or reduce anxiety, not to provide pleasure or gratification. The common compulsions-other than cleaning rituals and checking rituals that we just outlined-may include constantly rearranging or straightening objects, counting things, repeating words or prayers internally, and hoarding vast amounts of useless materials.
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