Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
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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.
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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
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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
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The obsessions and compulsions are not something the person wants to have or do.
Time-consuming
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The symptoms often take up more than an hour a day.
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Distressing
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They cause significant distress and can interfere with daily life, relationships, and work or school.
Difficulty controlling
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People with OCD often recognize their obsessions and compulsions are irrational but feel unable to control them.
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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.
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For more information call Dr Karen McGraw on 0461 584 918