What is OCD?

Written By Danielle Jennings

When it is more than just anxiety.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that can impact both children and adults. A person struggling with OCD will experience both obsessions and compulsive behaviors that can have minimal to severe impact on a persons day to day functioning. Obsessions are thoughts and images that are often unwanted and/or excessive (meaning they are repetitive). Whild compulsions are often behaviors that are engaged in excessively with goal to rid of, decrease distress and/or prevent the obsession.

Common Obsession Subtypes:

  • Contamination

  • Sexualize

  • Harm/Violent

  • Religious/Morality

  • Identity

  • Perfectionism

  • Responsibility

Common Compulsive Behavior

  • Repeating

  • Washing/Cleaning

  • Checking

  • Seeking Validation

Treatment Options:

  • ERP (EXRP)

  • ACT with exposure

Learn more at ICODF

Danielle Jennings
Next

Introduction to ACT