Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or rituals (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform. These compulsions are an attempt to reduce the distress or anxiety caused by the obsessions, but they are often excessive, time-consuming, and interfere with daily life.
OCD can start at any time from preschool to adulthood.
Although OCD can occur at any age, there are generally two age ranges when OCD tends to first appear:
-
Between the ages of 7 and 12.
-
Between the late teen years and early adulthood, around age 20.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or rituals (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform. These compulsions are an attempt to reduce the distress or anxiety caused by the obsessions, but they are often excessive, time-consuming, and interfere with daily life.
OCD can start at any time from preschool to adulthood.
Although OCD can occur at any age, there are generally two age ranges when OCD tends to first appear:
-
Between the ages of 7 and 12.
-
Between the late teen years and early adulthood, around age 20.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or rituals (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform. These compulsions are an attempt to reduce the distress or anxiety caused by the obsessions, but they are often excessive, time-consuming, and interfere with daily life.
OCD can start at any time from preschool to adulthood.
Although OCD can occur at any age, there are generally two age ranges when OCD tends to first appear:
-
Between the ages of 7 and 12.
-
Between the late teen years and early adulthood, around age 20.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or rituals (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform. These compulsions are an attempt to reduce the distress or anxiety caused by the obsessions, but they are often excessive, time-consuming, and interfere with daily life.
OCD can start at any time from preschool to adulthood.
Although OCD can occur at any age, there are generally two age ranges when OCD tends to first appear:
-
Between the ages of 7 and 12.
-
Between the late teen years and early adulthood, around age 20.
Obsessions
What they are:
Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings.
Common examples:
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Fear of germs or contamination
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Fear of losing control or harming others
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Need for things to be orderly or symmetrical
-
Unwanted sexual, religious, or aggressive thoughts
Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that trigger intensely distressing feelings.
Common examples:
-
Fear of germs or contamination
-
Fear of losing control or harming others
-
Need for things to be orderly or symmetrical
-
Unwanted sexual, religious, or aggressive thoughts
Compulsions
What they are:
Key characteristics
Intrusive and unwanted
The obsessions and compulsions are not something the person wants to have or do.
Time-consuming
The symptoms often take up more than an hour a day.
Distressing
They cause significant distress and can interfere with daily life, relationships, and work or school.
Difficulty controlling
People with OCD often recognize their obsessions and compulsions are irrational but feel unable to control them.
Treatment for OCD
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the proven, most effective, first-line therapy for OCD in adults, children, and adolescents. ERP is a specific type of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Backed by decades of research, ERP helps individuals extinguish fears and eliminate compulsive behaviours in a structured, supportive environment.
For more information call Dr Karen McGraw on 0461 584 918