Ocd

OCD signs and symptoms: Obsessive thoughts

Common obsessive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include:

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.

OCD signs and symptoms: Compulsive behaviors

Common compulsive behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include:

Excessive double-checking of things, such as locks, appliances, and switches. Repeatedly checking in on loved ones to make sure theyre 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. [5] whether their partner "really" loves them. Even when they know they love someone or that someone loves them, they constantly check and reassure themselves that it is the right feeling. When they attempt to end the relationship, they are overwhelmed with anxiety. Staying in the relationship, however, they are haunted by continuous doubts regarding the relationship. checking, and reassurance seeking behaviors relating to the partner's perceived flaws. Instead of finding good in their partner, they are constantly focused on their shortcomings. They often exaggerate these "flaws" and use them to prove the relationship is fundamentally bad. The fact that they are unable to concentrate on anything but their partner's flaws causes the sufferer great anxiety, and often leads to a strained relationship. A more intense obsession could be a preoccupation with the thought or image of someone close to them dying bsessions concern the possibility that someone or something other than oneself such as God, the Devil, or diseasewill harm either the person with OCD or the people or things that the person cares about. Other individuals with OCD may experience the sensation of invisible protrusions emanating from their bodies, or have the feeling that inanimate objects are ensouled "distressing and unwanted thoughts pop into [their] head frequently", and the thoughts "typically center on a fear
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perform compulsive rituals because they inexplicably feel they have to, others act compulsively so as to mitigate the anxiety that stems from particular obsessive thoughts. The person might feel that these actions somehow either will prevent a dreaded event from occurring keep doors closed at all times, People rely on compulsions as an escape from their obsessive thoughts; however, they are aware that the relief is only temporary, that the intrusive thoughts will soon return. Some people use compulsions to avoid situations that may trigger their obsessions People with OCD can use rationalizations to explain their behavior; however, these rationalizations do not apply to the overall behavior but to each instance individually. For example, a person compulsively checking the front door may argue that the time taken and stress caused by one more check of the front door is much less than the time and stress associated with being robbed, and thus checking is the better option. In practice, after that check, the person is still not sure and deems it is still better to perform one more check, and this reasoning can continue as long as necessary.

Obsession symptoms
OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent and unwanted urges or images that cause distress or anxiety. You might try to get rid of them by performing a compulsion or ritual. These obsessions typically intrude when you're trying to think of or do other things. Obsessions often have themes to them, such as:

Fear of contamination or dirt Having things orderly and symmetrical Aggressive or horrific thoughts about harming yourself or others Unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects

Examples of obsession signs and symptoms include:

Fear of being contaminated by shaking hands or by touching objects others have touched Doubts that you've locked the door or turned off the stove Intense stress when objects aren't orderly or facing a certain way Images of hurting yourself or someone else Thoughts about shouting obscenities or acting inappropriately Avoidance of situations that can trigger obsessions, such as shaking hands Distress about unpleasant sexual images repeating in your mind

Compulsion symptoms
OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. These repetitive behaviors are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety related to your

obsessions or prevent something bad from happening. However, engaging in the compulsions brings no pleasure and may offer only a temporary relief from anxiety. You may also make up rules or rituals to follow that help control your anxiety when you're having obsessive thoughts. These compulsions are often not rationally connected to preventing the feared event. As with obsessions, compulsions typically have themes, such as:

Washing and cleaning Counting Checking Demanding reassurances Following a strict routine Orderliness

Examples of compulsion signs and symptoms include:

Hand-washing until your skin becomes raw Checking doors repeatedly to make sure they're locked Checking the stove repeatedly to make sure it's off Counting in certain patterns Silently repeating a prayer, word or phrase Arranging your canned goods to face the same way

Symptoms usually begin gradually and tend to vary in severity throughout your life. Symptoms generally worsen when you're experiencing more stress. OCD, considered a lifelong disorder, can be so severe and time-consuming that it becomes disabling. Most adults recognize that their obsessions and compulsions don't make sense, but that's not always the case. Children may not understand what's wrong.
For example, you may have an overall sense that something terrible will happen if you don't do a certain task, such as check again and again to see if the stove is on. If you fail to check, you may suddenly feel tense or anxious or have a nagging sense that you left something undone. Symptoms of the disorder include: Obsessions. These are unwanted thoughts, ideas, and impulses that you have again and again. They won't go away. They get in the way of your normal thoughts and cause anxiety or fear. The thoughts may be sexual or violent, or they may make you worry about illness or infection. Examples include: A fear of harm to yourself or a loved one. A driving need to do things perfectly or correctly. A fear of getting dirty or infected.

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Compulsions. These are behaviors that you repeat to try to control the obsessions. Some people have behaviors that are rigid and structured, while others have very complex behaviors that change. Examples include: Washing, or checking that something has been done. Counting, often while doing another compulsive action, such as hand-washing. Repeating things or always moving items to keep them in perfect order. Hoarding. Constant praying. Obsessive thoughts

Fear of dirt or germs or overconcern about body smells/secretions or the proper functioning of the body Overconcern with order, neatness, and exactness Fear of thinking bad thoughts or doing something embarrassing Constantly thinking of certain sounds, words, or numbers, or a preoccupation with counting or checking Constant need for approval or the need to apologize Fear that something terrible will happen or fear of harming yourself or someone else Compulsive behaviors

Frequently washing hands, showering, or brushing teeth or overusing items to hide body smells Constantly cleaning, straightening, and ordering certain objects Repeatedly checking zippers and buttons on clothing Checking lights, appliances, or doors again and again to be sure they are turned off or closed Repeating certain physical activities, such as sitting down and getting up from a chair Hoarding objects, such as newspapers Asking the same question or saying the same thing over and over Avoiding public places or taking extreme measures to prevent harm to yourself or others Religious rituals, such as constant silent praying It is common for children with OCD to need to repeat actions until they feel "just right," such as going back and forth through a door, going up and down stairs, touching things with their right hand and then their left (symmetrical touch), or rereading or rewriting school assignments. Children with OCD may not want to go to school or may be afraid to leave someone they trust. When I was small, I was the only child in 500 children whose mother had to come to school otherwise I would get afraid and cry

People with OCD generally:

Have repeated thoughts or images about many different things, such as fear of germs, dirt, or intruders; acts of violence; hurting loved ones; sexual acts; conflicts with religious beliefs; or being overly tidy Do the same rituals over and over such as washing hands, locking and unlocking doors, counting, keeping unneeded items, or repeating the same steps again and again Can't control the unwanted thoughts and behaviors Don't get pleasure when performing the behaviors or rituals, but get brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause Spend at least 1 hour a day on the thoughts and rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of daily life.

OCPD The main symptoms of OCPD are preoccupation with remembering and paying attention to minute details and facts, following rules and regulations, compulsion to make lists and schedules, as well as rigidity/inflexibility of beliefs or showing perfectionism that interferes with task-completion. Symptoms may cause extreme distress and interfere with a person's occupational and social functioning Perception of own and others' actions and beliefs tend to be polarised (i.e., "right" or "wrong", with little or no margin between the two) for people with this disorder. As might be expected, such rigidity places strain on interpersonal relationships, with frustration sometimes turning into anger and even [5] violence. This is known as disinhibition. People with OCPD often tend to generalpessimism and/or underlying form(s) of depression 1. is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost 2. shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met) 3. is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity) 4. is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification) 5. is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value 6. is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things 7. adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes 8. shows rigidity and stubbornness 9. feelings of excessive doubt and caution; 10. preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization or schedule; 11. perfectionism that interferes with task completion; 12. excessive conscientiousness, scrupulousness, and undue preoccupation with productivity to the exclusion of pleasure and interpersonal relationships; 13. excessive pedantry and adherence to social conventions; 14. rigidity and stubbornness; 15. unreasonable insistence by the individual that others submit exactly to his or her way of doing things, or unreasonable reluctance to allow others to do things; 16. intrusion of insistent and unwelcome thoughts or impulses. ubtype Description Compulsive Personality Traits

Conscientious Including dependent features

Rule-bound and duty-bound; earnest, hardworking, meticulous, painstaking;

indecisive, inflexible; marked self-doubts; dreads errors and mistakes.

Bureaucratic

Including narcissistic features

Empowered in formal organizations; rules of group provide identity and security; officious, high-handed, unimaginative, intrusive, nosy, petty-minded, meddlesome, trifling, closedminded.

Puritanical

Including paranoid features

Austere, self-righteous, bigoted, dogmatic, zealous, uncompromising, indignant, and judgmental; grim and prudish morality; must control and counteract own repugnant impulses and fantasies.

Including schizoid features. Parsimonious ResemblesFromm's hoarding [17] orientation

Miserly, tight-fisted, ungiving, hoarding, unsharing; protects self against loss; fears intrusions into vacant inner world; dreads exposure of personal improprietries and contrary impulses.

Bedeviled

Including negativistic features

Ambivalences unresolved; feels tormented, muddled, indecisive, befuddled; beset by intrapsychic conflicts, confusions, frustrations; obsessions and compulsions condense and control contradictory emotions.

What are the signs and symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder? Obsessive-Compulsives are constantly drawing up and dreaming up lists, rules, orders, rituals, and organizational schemes. Obsessions and compulsions are about control of self (mental) and others (interpersonal). People with the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) are concerned (worried and anxious) about maintaining control and about being seen to be maintaining it. In other words, they are also preoccupied with the symbolic aspects and representations (with the symbols) of control. Inevitably, OCPDs are perfectionists and rigidly orderly or organized. They lack flexibility, openness and efficiency. They tend to see the world and others as at best whimsical and arbitrary and at worst menacing and hostile. They are constantly worried that something is or may go wrong. In this respect, they share some traits with the paranoid and the schizotypal.

It is easy to spot an Obsessive-Compulsive. They are constantly drawing up and dreaming up lists, rules, orders, rituals, and organizational schemes. They demand from themselves and from others perfection and an inordinate attention to minutia. Actually, they place greater value on compiling and following rigid schedules and checklists than on the activity itself or its goals. Simply put, Obsessive-Compulsives are unable to see the forest for the trees. This insistence on in-depth scrutiny of every detail frequently results in paralysis. OCPDs are workaholics, but not because they like to work. Ostensibly, they sacrifice family life, leisure, and friendships on the altar of productivity and output. Really, they are convinced that only they can get the job done in the right manner. Yet, they are not very efficacious or productive. Socially, OCPDs are sometimes resented and rejected. This is because some OCPDs are self-righteous to the point of bigotry. At Open Site Encyclopedia, author Sam Vaknin writes: "They are so excessively conscientious and scrupulous and so unempathically and inflexibly tyrannical that it is difficult to maintain a long-term relationship with them. They regard their impossibly high moral, work, and ethical standards as universal and binding. Hence their inability to delegate tasks to others, unless they can micromanage the situation and control it minutely to fit their expectations. Consequently, they trust no one and are difficult to deal with and stubborn. OCPDs are so terrified of change that they rarely discard acquired but now useless objects, change the outlay of furniture at home, relocate, deviate from the familiar route to work, tweak an itinerary, or embark on anything spontaneous. They also find it difficult to spend money even on essentials. This tallies with their view of the world as hostile, unpredictable, and "bad". List of Signs and Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Excessive concern with order, rules, schedules and lists Perfectionism, often so pronounced that you can't complete tasks because your standards are impossible to meet Inability to throw out even broken, worthless objects Inability to share responsibility with others Inflexibility about the "right" ethics, ideas and methods Compulsive devotion to work at the expense of recreation and relationships Financial stinginess Discomfort with emotions and aspects of personal relationships that you can't control DSM IV Criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following:

is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met) is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity)
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is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification) is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes shows rigidity and stubbornness

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder is characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency. When rules and established procedures do not dictate the correct answer, decision making may become a time-consuming, often painful process. Individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder may have such difficulty deciding which tasks take priority or what is the best way of doing some particular task that they may never get started on anything. They are prone to become upset or angry in situations in which they are not able to maintain control of their physical or interpersonal environment, although the anger is typically not expressed directly. For example, a person may be angry when service in a restaurant is poor, but instead of complaining to the management, the individual ruminates about how much to leave as a tip. On other occasions, anger may be expressed with righteous indignation over a seemingly minor matter. People with this disorder may be especially attentive to their relative status in dominance-submission relationships and may display excessive deference to an authority they respect and excessive resistance to authority that they do not respect. Individuals with this disorder usually express affection in a highly controlled or stilted fashion and may be very uncomfortable in the presence of others who are emotionally expressive. Their everyday relationships have a formal and serious quality, and they may be stiff in situations in which others would smile and be happy (e.g., greeting a lover at the airport). They carefully hold themselves back until they are sure that whatever they say will be perfect. They may be preoccupied with logic and intellect. A personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates from the norm of the individuals culture. The pattern is seen in two or more of the following areas: cognition; affect; interpersonal functioning; or impulse control. The

enduring pattern is inflexible and pervasive across a broad range of personal and social situations. It typically leads to significant distress or impairment in social, work or other areas of functioning. The pattern is stable and of long duration, and its onset can be traced back to early adulthood or adolescence.

Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

A pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and mental and interpersonal control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by four (or more) of the following: Is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met) Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity) Is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification) Is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value Is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things Adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes Shows significant rigidity and stubbornness

An individual diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder needs to show at least 4 of the following criteria: Is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost. Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met). Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity). Is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification).

 Is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value. Is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things. Adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes. Shows rigidity and stubbornness. Like all personality disorders, anankastic [obsessive-compulsive] personality disorder is a deeply ingrained and enduring behaviour pattern, manifesting as an inflexible response to a broad range of personal and social situations. This behavior represents an extreme or significant deviation from the way in which the average individual in a given culture relates to others. This behaviour pattern tends to be stable. It causes subjective distress and problems in social performance.
Core Features

Individuals with this disorder grow up with rigid perfectionism, intimacy avoidance, restricted emotional expression and perseveration. The core features of this disorder are: (1) extreme conscientiousness (rigid perfectionism), (2) detachment (intimacy avoidance, restricted emotional expression), and (3) negative emotion(perseveration - continuance of the same behavior despite repeated failures) . This disorder is only diagnosed if: (1) it begins no later than early adulthood, (2) these behaviors occur at home, work, and in the community, and (3) these behaviors lead to clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Lack Of Social Skills And Personality Disorders

There are social skills that are essential for healthy social functioning. Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder lack the essential social skills of moderation,work-life balance, and flexibility. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is not statistically related to any other personality disorder.

Social Skills That Are Lacking In Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

SOCIAL SKILL Moderation LOW LEVEL Perfectionism HIGH LEVEL Setting realistic goals; accepting good enough rather than demanding perfection Maintaining a proper balance between work and the rest of life Willingness to try new things; ability to tolerate normal disorder; taking reasonable risks

Work-life balance Life is all work and no play

Flexibility

Inflexibility and risk avoidance

Employment-Economic Functioning

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder have excessive devotion to work, and poor work-life balance. Occupationally, they tend to be high achievers because of their excessive devotion to work. However their inflexibility, perfectionism, preoccupation with detail, and inability to delegate work may seriously interfere with their ability to complete a given task. They experience occupational difficulties when confronted with new situations that demand flexibility and compromise.
Obsessive-Compulsive Traits

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are rigidly perfectionistic and insist on everything being flawless and perfect, including their own and others' performance. They become preoccupied with details, organization, and order. They may show excessive procrastination and perseveration (stubborn continuation of the same behavior despite repeated failures). They are inflexible and unwilling to take risks. Individuals with this disorder often are inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values. They may be miserly.
Obsessive-Compulsive Traits o Is preoccupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost. o Shows perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met). o Is excessively devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity).

o Is overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification). o Is unable to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value. o Is reluctant to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things. o Adopts a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes. o Shows rigidity and stubbornness.