Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and repetitive, ritualized behaviors you feel compelled to perform.
OCD has three main parts:
-the thoughts that make you anxious (obsessions)
-the anxiety you feel
-the things you do to reduce your anxiety (compulsions).
What exactly are obsessions and compulsions?
Obsessions are thoughts, images or impulses that occur over and over again and feel outside of the persons control. Individuals with OCD do not want to have these thoughts and find them disturbing. In most cases, people with OCD realize that these thoughts dont make any sense. Obsessions are typically accompanied by intense and uncomfortable feelings such as fear, disgust, doubt, or a feeling that things have to be done in a way that is just right.
Compulsions are the repetitive behaviors or thoughts that a person uses with the intention of neutralizing, counteracting, or making their obsessions go away. People with OCD realize this is only a temporary solution but without a better way to cope they rely on the compulsion as a temporary escape. Compulsions can also include avoiding situations that trigger obsessions. Compulsions are time consuming and get in the way of important activities the person values.
What OCD isn't?
A choice- OCD stands for obsessive compulsive disorder, emphasis on the capital D for Disorder. Research has shown that the brain of a person with OCD actually functions differently, essentially getting stuck on a thought. These thoughts are linked with intense anxiety driving the individual with OCD to engage in compulsive behavior — their only escape.
A quirk- Quirks are likely developed by our own experiences and environment, and can be controlled. According to the International OCD Foundation, unless this behavior is triggered by a fear or anxiety and completed with a series of compulsions that relieve you of these feelings, its not a sign of the disorder which torments peoples mind constantly. It can be paralyzing, too.
A joke- Unfortunately, joking about mental illness is part of the problem. It perpetuates the idea that OCD is something that someone should be able to just get over already. It infers that a person who cant get over it is somehow weak or defective. It makes people hide their illness from friends and family.
An adjective- OCD is not an adjective. It is not an alternative for words like clean or organized. OCD is a noun. Its the name of a mental disorder. OCD is not being particular or a neat freak or an adjective that should ever be used to describe oneself. Every time OCD is used as a simple adjective, it contributes to the stigma. It validates the claim that mental illnesses are just inside the head of a person.
What causes OCD?
Genes: OCD is sometimes inherited, so can occasionally run in the family.
Stress: Stressful life events bring it on in about one out of three cases.
Life changes: Times where someone suddenly has to take on more responsibility – for example, puberty, the birth of a child or a new job.
Brain changes: We don't know for certain, but if you have the symptoms of OCD for more than a short time, researchers think that an imbalance of a chemical called serotonin (also known as 5HT) develops in the brain.
Personality: If you are a neat, meticulous, methodical person with high standards you may be more likely to develop OCD. These qualities are normally helpful, but can slip into OCD if they become too extreme.
Ways of thinking: Nearly all of us have odd or distressing thoughts or pictures in our minds at times. Most of us quickly dismiss these ideas and get on with our lives. But, if you have particularly high standards of morality and responsibility, you may feel that it's terrible to even have these thoughts. So, you are more likely to watch out for them coming back – which makes it more likely that they will.
What keeps OCD going?
Surprisingly, some of the ways in which you help yourself can actually keep it going:
-Trying to push unpleasant thoughts out of your mind - this usually only makes the thoughts return. For example, try not to think of a pink elephant for the next minute – you will probably find it difficult to think of anything else.
-Thinking 'safe' or 'correcting' thoughts. For example, you spend time putting right a disturbing thought with another thought (like counting to ten) or picture (such as seeing a person alive and well).
-Rituals, checking, avoiding and seeking reassurance will all make you less anxious for a short time - especially if you feel that this might prevent something dreadful from happening. But, every time you do them, you strengthen your belief that they stop bad things from happening. And so you feel more pressure to do them.... and so on.
Helping yourself
-Remember - it's not your fault and you are not going 'mad'.
-Expose yourself to your troubling thoughts. This sounds odd, but it's a way of getting more control of them. You record them and listen back to them, or write them down and re-read them.
-You need to do this regularly for around half an hour every day until your anxiety reduces.
-Resist the compulsive behaviour, but not the obsessional thought.
-Don't use alcohol or street drugs to control your anxiety.
-If your thoughts involve worries about your faith or religion, then it can sometimes be helpful to speak to a religious leader to help you work out if this is an OCD problem.
-Contact one of the support groups or websites available.
-Buy a self-help book. (Feel free to check out the one given at the end)
Tips for family and friends
-The behaviour of someone with OCD can be quite frustrating. Try to remember that they are not trying to be difficult or behave oddly, they are coping the best they can.
-Always avoid judging and criticizing the obsessions and compulsions of the OCD sufferer as it is likely to force your loved one to hide their disorder; this makes it much harder to get them the proper treatment.
-It may take a while for someone to accept that they need help. Encourage them to read about OCD and talk it over with a professional.
-Continue to learn and gain a deeper education about OCD to help your loved one effectively.
-You may be able to help exposure treatments by reacting differently to your relative's compulsions:
•encourage them to tackle fearful situations;
•say 'no' to taking part in rituals or checking;
•don't reassure them that things are alright.
-Don't worry that someone with an obsessional fear of being violent will actually do it. This is very rare.
-Ask if you can go with them to see their GP, psychiatrist or other professional.
Other conditions similar to OCD
-Body dysmorphic disorder, or 'the distress of imagined ugliness'. You become convinced that part of your face or body is the wrong shape, and spend hours in front of a mirror checking and trying to cover it up. You may even stop going out in public.
-An urge to pull out your hair or eyebrows (Trichotillomania).
-A fear of suffering from a serious physical illness, such as cancer (Health anxiety or hypochondriasis).
-People with Tourette's syndrome (where a sufferer may shout out suddenly, or jerk uncontrollably) often have OCD as well.
-Children and adults with some forms of autism, like Asperger's syndrome, can appear to have ---OCD because they like things to be the same, and may like to do the same thing over and over again.
Thank you so much for taking your time out to read and hopefully learn something new about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Now that we have a little insight on OCD, let's have a discussion. You are free to answer all or any of these questions. Also, feel free to ask questions of your own!
For those who have OCD:
When and how did you discover that you have OCD?
What part of OCD seems to be the most scariest? What helps you to reduce it?
For those who do not have OCD/have a loved one with OCD:
How can you help someone who has OCD?
What's the most challenging part of living with someone who has OCD?
For everyone:
When do you think is the right time to seek treatment for OCD?
What are some myths/stereotypes that you have heard about OCD? What contributes to increasing the stigma attached with OCD?
Further reading:
Things to remember if you love someone who has OCD
Things not to say to someone with OCD
Special thanks to @Hope and @RaCat for helping me with this project.
@compassion4you14 wow, thank you for this awesome project! I know that OCD is a topic that most of people are not aware and I feel like this post can help them to understand it better. Also, it was my pleasure to help you with it a bit, even if I feel like I didn't do anything 
I also like your discussion questions! I feel like I can't answer most of them, but I will try my hardest to think the answers to the ones that can be answered by me, so follow up 
What part of OCD seems to be the most scariest? What helps you to reduce it?
I don't have OCD so I am not sure if I can answer this corectly but I feel like the most scariest part is the fact that it's an obsession. You can't quick that thought, you can't control it and it's all feels just so hopeless. It must feel scary and it must be hard when you are trying so hard but you can't do anything. 
On the other hand, I have heard and I believe that having some coping skills (like colorful beads that you need to organise by colours when you have attack or tiles counting, whatever works for you) can be useful. I don't know if that a thing to be honest 
How can you help someone who has OCD?
I think that your post sum ups it pretty well... But I have a few points...
1) The most important thing is the same as with many of the mental heal illness - just don't assume that it's their fault or don't get mad when they are doing something you don't like. Always remember yourself that it's not they, it's their OCD talking...
2) I know it can be scary to see them during attack and you can have no idea what to do, listen what they say or do what it seems the best for you. As far as I know, it's always the best to listen them and follow they needs (unless you feel like they are in danger, then... stay to make sure that they are safe). Your friend, your relative or your loved one is already feeling bad about themselves and they don't need you to trigger them even more by doing something they can't take right now.
3) Don't talk about their OCD with other people. I know that maybe you feel like it's not a big deal but it's still a big stigma about mental illness in our society and they probably don't want others to know it. If they told you - congratulations, they trust in you enough, don't break this trust.
When do you think is the right time to seek treatment for OCD?
I feel that it should be done as early as possible as it's always easier to help someone when they seek earlier. But the sign that you really need treatment is when it's starts affecting your everydays life. OCD is not something that can't be controlled so don't let it stop you from living happy life 
What are some myths/stereotypes that you have heard about OCD? What contributes to increasing the stigma attached with OCD?
Sadly, it's not being discussed a lot in my country, a lot of people still have no idea what it is, even the ones that are studying in first psychology course
@RaCat
First of all, thank you so much for helping me with this project and you know that I couldn't have been able to do anything without your help and support! I really appreciate it. Also, thank you for participating in the discussion. 
I agree with you on the part that obsessions are very scary because a person does not have any control over them and compulsions are the only way to get a temporary relief (this is for those who don't have pure-o OCD). Talking about the coping skills, everyone has a different set of things that help them feel better. Some people may find arranging things in order or counting useful.
1) This is such an important point! One of the best things that someone can do for their loved one is to understand that they are not at fault for doing certain things as it is not in their control or something that they can snap out of.
2) I agree with this one. The person having OCD is already struggling a lot and they definitely wouldn't want something to trigger them further so it's best to listen to what they say and help them to feel better.
3) This is my favourite point and it makes so much of sense! If someone has told you about what they are struggling with, it means that they have put their trust in you and it's your duty to keep that trust and not tell about it to anyone unless you're sure that they won't mind. Something that does not mean much to you could mean so much to them.
That's right! When these obsessions and compulsions start to interfare with your day to day routine, it's best to seek the proper treatment.
It's sad to know that there is still so much of stigma and misconceptions regarding OCD. Many people still throw around this term a lot without realising how much it affects a person who's struggling with it. I feel that the lack of education contributes to the the incresing stigma attached with OCD.
@compassion4you14 hahah in my situation if someone mentions OCD everyone is like "what? what it is?" so they are not thorwing it too often. In one hand it's good because it's not become some adejctive, on the other hand... I feel that it even increases stigma so I am not sure
@RaCat
Sorting/organizing beads I think is more of a generalized anxiety coping method. It may help with some OCD types but would depend on what their triggers are...like a person who fears something being out of place may only feel more compulsive if they give themselves more things to feel compelled to sort...maybe in that case the exercise would be to not sort them despite wanting to?...
@compassion4you14 Thank you so much for this paragraph:
OCD is not an adjective. It is not an alternative for words like clean or organized. OCD is a noun. Its the name of a mental disorder. OCD is not being particular or a neat freak or an adjective that should ever be used to describe oneself. Every time OCD is used as a simple adjective, it contributes to the stigma. It validates the claim that mental illnesses are just inside the head of a person.
Very informative, thank you! Lovely project
When do you think is the right time to seek treatment for OCD?
Okay, I guess that it is when that person knows from a professional psychiatrist that they have the disorder. It would probably be better if they have multiple opinions from different doctors.
What are some myths/stereotypes that you have heard about OCD? What contributes to increasing the stigma attached with OCD?
The most common I heard, is that they are very clean and tidy. And I have heard of a thriller that the person who had OCD, became really violent when his stuff was disturbed or when the house was dirty. That and the fact that many people claim to be OCD (for just being organised) as a joke increases the stigma.
Can a person with OCD have obsessing thoughts about death?
Sorry for grammar mistakes by the way.
@Alkionida
Thank you so much for reading through it and participating! I'm glad that you found it informative.
I would encourage you to check out this resource for more information about when to seek treatment. The "right" time could mean differently for different people.
I agree with you. Many people claim to 'be' OCD (which, in itself, is wrong because no one 'is' OCD. People 'have' OCD) without any diagnosis and this leads to an increase in the stigma attached with the disorder. Also, this is such a common misconception that people with OCD are all neat and tidy. Some even believe that perfectionism means having OCD but it is much more than that. Talking about the other thing, many people who have OCD have the fear of getting contaminated with germs or are extremely particular about arranging things. I don't know if 'violent' is the correct word but it definitely disturbes them to the extreme level.
Can a person with OCD have obsessing thoughts about death?
Yes, a person with OCD can have obsessing thoughts about death. OCD can convince you that you are going to die. Chances are, that the person already knows that it is an irrational thought, but it seems so real. That is when they may engage in compulsive behaviour to get a relief.
@compassion4you14 Thank you 💚💛
Great information! Thank you so much . I'm so impressed with everything I've seen so far. So thankful to find you!
This is a wonderful topic, thank you for posting. This is something I struggle with the most I think, because it seems to link into my anxiety and depression and loop it in on itself when the repetitive parts of the OCD get the worst - not sure if that makes sense.
When and how did you discover that you have OCD?
Late teens, early twenties before the idea of an actual condition was presented to me. Early thirties before official diagnosis. But it was always there - as a kid I used to get in trouble because I would get up when the house was asleep and put things back where my brain said they needed to be. (move the cups to the sink, all the remotes in a certain spot, ashtrays by the trashcan) I couldn't sleep until I did it, but then nothing was ever where people left them the night before. Also always picked at my cuticles until they were raw and bleeding or infected. To this day my parents still say it was a fungal infection, even after I told them then and tell them now I did it, I pick at them. I was simply labled 'neurotic' and that I would probably grow out of it. Nope.
What part of OCD seems to be the most scariest? What helps you to reduce it?
Not sure how best to explain it, but there are times when the OCD seems to 'amp up' and the worries and rumination about past things just speed up and loop until it gets so loud in my head it feels maddening. I have trouble staying focused and even getting my sentances out right, and a stutter I worked so hard to get rid of comes back. It's like my brain gets hi-jacked by a concern that I left a candle burning or that one thing I said that one time is going to cause something bad at some point, could be anything but it over powers everyday living. Still working on ways to reduce it, so far the best I can do is remain calm and find a place to be still until it slows down a bit.
The anxiety and depression seem to be easier understood by others, but the OCD is still a tricky one. Someone can get why I can't leave the house today or why I haven't properly showered in a week but it seems harder to grasp why the dishes HAVE to be done before I leave the house, or I NEED to check the stove before bed - even if I didn't cook anything that day, or why I can become unhinged if my daily order of tasks gets interrupted. For the most part people know not to just say 'Cheer up' or 'just Sad' when it comes to the others, but when my OCD comes out I hear the work 'quirky' a lot and it can feel kinda demeaning.
@CaptainHowdy
Thank you so much for reading it and participating in the discussion. I'm glad that you found it wonderful and worth reading.
It sounds like it was present ever since you were a kid, since you used to struggle with sleeping unless you put things in their "right" place. You have mentioned about picking your cuticles till they were raw, bleeding and infected. I'm so sorry that your parents confused it with fungal infection. I suppose that it would have been quite a struggle for you to make yourself understood. You didn't deserve to be labelled as 'neurotic' for something you had no control over. I was wondering what your parents think of it now? What are their views about your OCD?
Talking about the other thing, I understand it when you say that it feels maddening when the things start to feel more intense. It sounds like the intrusive thoughts have a lot of impact on your life and they worry you to no end that something wrong might happen. On the other hand, I'm happy to know that you try to remain calm because I know it's not at all an easy job to do so.
I totally second you on the part that anxiety and depression are still understood by others but OCD still remains so misunderstood. It's true that many people know what not to say to someone struggling with anxiety and depression but they find it hard to recognise the same about OCD. I know how demeaning it is that people call a mental disorder 'quirky' and invalidate the feelings of the people who struggle with it in their day to day lives. How do you deal with it when you get to hear such things (like quirky)?
@compassion4you14 My parents haven't changed so much, like they see it but it isn't talked about for the serious thing it is. I see a lot of my habits and diagnosis' in my mother, more so as the years go on and now she will talk about it. But it's talked about like an inherited webbed toe - just a thing, not life hindering. My father on the other hand reveres most things with a flippant disregard that still stings as an adult, even though I know his intent is not malicious. However that attitude is what most likely kept my mother from seeking real treatment. When I bring up the Excoriation, they kind of go "Oh yeah yeah..." and change subject.
With people I don't know, for a long time my favorite response was "Yeah, quirky like a heart murmor." which I also have and that kind of shuts them down and makes them ponder maybe. Those I care about and stick around, I make the effort to explain how it isn't something I control or even WANT - and any kind of relationship just cannot work unless they are able to accept that, and know darn well I will have to do multiple walkthroughs when leaving the house or get up twice to check locks after bedtime, etc. I have been lucky and grateful to be with someone who accepts even when they cannot understand (most of the time ;) ).
@compassion4you14
Thank you soo much for this... To be honest it helped analyse myself a bit and there couldn't have been a better time to read this than today... Thank you again for sharing it with the community 😀
I don't have OCD but when I went to the doctor for my SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder) and PD (Panic Disorder) they gave me this pamphlet on the many anxiety disorders and Obesessive-Compuslive Disorder was on there. I didn't know that it was an anxiety disorder until I read that phamphlet. I've learnt that a lot of celebrities have it as well which I didn't know, I also learnt that some people with OCD have to become repetitve with where they put things like they have to put stuff in order and some are kind of like a perfectionist because they easily forget where they put things so they'll end up misplacing it, some are even hoarders. People with OCD also have a fear of germs and clean a lot.
@astray
I myself more repeat same retual than so much clean or became obsest with some thought
@compassion4you14
For those who have OCD:
When and how did you discover that you have OCD?
Not sure when exactly... think it went with anxiety bcs like some shock..
What part of OCD seems to be the most scariest? What helps you to reduce it?
Ah idk what helps lol. Usualy just go with it and to scared to stop myself...When I'm forsed a bit but than just may do it secretly... shame would say.. And what most scariest... that you can't control it..
For everyone:
When do you think is the right time to seek treatment for OCD?
I am not that much therapy person... but they where times thought for anxiety. When notice can't deal with it on your own.
What are some myths/stereotypes that you have heard about OCD? What contributes to increasing the stigma attached with OCD?
My parents were stare at me like... think like acting crazy.
@conscientiousPineapple1782
Hello there! Thank you for joining in the discussion and sharing about yourself. You have mentioned that the scariest part of OCD is that you can't control it. I agree that it can sometimes get scary when you don't want to do something but you have to. It sounds to me like you feel ashamed of it and therefore do it secretly. This is a really challenging part of OCD. I would encourage you to check out the 'Coping with ocd' resource in the further reading section as I feel like it might help you
About the right time for seeking treatment, I suppose that when it starts interfaring with your day to day life, it's time to seek professional diagnosis. You're correct- when you feel like you can't deal with it on your own, it's the right time to seek treatment.
I'm sorry to hear that your parents would think that you're acting crazy. I want to assure you that your mental health is valid and you're not acting crazy. How do they feel about it now?
You did a really great job on this. Thank you for your contribution.I have a question for you that you may or may not know the answer to.I see you listed Trichotillomania as an associated illness. Do you think the skin picking equivalent is also related? (Sorry I dont know the proper name.)
@blueocean45
First of all, thank you so much for taking your time out to read through my project- it means a lot to me. I'm glad that you found it worth reading. Also, thanks a lot for asking this amazing question! I'm sure many people would have it in their minds.
Do you think the skin picking equivalent is also related?
It's classified as a disorder that's related to OCD and its symptoms certainly share some similarities with those found in OCD. Not surprisingly, there appears to be a strong link between skin picking and OCD. Skin picking occurs in people with OCD at a much higher rate than the general population. So while it's not technically OCD, skin picking is classified by the DSM-5 as an obsessive-compulsive related disorder. You can read more about it in one of the 'further reading' links that I have shared.