Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
We have all said from time-to-time, "oh my OCD has kicked in," but does anyone know what it actually means? Anxious behaviour can be useful in some cases to "just be safe" but when these actions become obsessive and interferes with everyday life, then that is when OCD is actually a problem. OCD stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and refers to intrusive and unwanted thoughts such as, "what if I hurt my child?" These thoughts could affect the person to the point where they could become detached from society and this may lead to social phobia.
Common behaviour for people suffering with OCD include:
Close to 3% of Australians experience OCD in their life and approximately 2% in a 12-month period. OCD can occur to anyone at anytime in life, although symptoms tend to develop fully in adolescence.
Common behaviour for people suffering with OCD include:
- Cleanliness - obsessive washing because of an exaggerated fear of germs
- Order - things need to be in a specific place or order before continuing with everyday life
- Counting - the need to repeatedly count objects
- Hoarding - keeping junk (useless) items
- Safety/Checking - Obsessive fears of harm happening to themselves or people around them which can lead to repeated checking for locked doors, turned on stoves. etc.
- Sexual issues - irrational disgust concerning sexual activity
- Religious or Moral Issues - compulsion to pray a certain number of times per day to the extent where it can interfere with work and/or other relationships
Close to 3% of Australians experience OCD in their life and approximately 2% in a 12-month period. OCD can occur to anyone at anytime in life, although symptoms tend to develop fully in adolescence.