OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

OCD in short, involves compulsions( very much like an ‘itch’ that you can not resist scratching even though it only provides momentary relief), and rituals (behaviors to thoughts such as counting, that must be done) that are goal directed behaviors to help alleviate anxiety and resolve uncertainty, but the relief is temporary and must be done over and over..

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OCD Resource

International OCD Foundation

IOCD.org

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POSSIBLE REASONS FOR ONSET OF OCD

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• Family history
• Trauma may contribute
• A more rapid onset (PANDAS), a condition in children (rare) after an Streptococcal infection. 

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TIPS

The 15 minute rule for OCD

The idea is to delay (using learned CBT tools) to delay your response to the obsessive thoughts or urges (compulsions).  By delaying, and using CBT tools, you may find less compulsions and ritual.

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SUBTYPES OF OCD and helpful articles

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Violent or sexual obsession https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/am-i-a-monster-an-overview-of-common-features-typical-course-shame-and-treatment-of-pedophilia-ocd-pocd/

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Fear of harming your kidshttps://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/but-i-love-my-kids/

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Fear of harming others (driving)https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/driven-to-distraction-hit-and-run-ocd/

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Violent obsessionshttps://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/expert-opinion-violent-obsessions/

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Contamination OCD and contaminationhttps://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/expert-opinion-contamination/

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Emotional contamination https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/emotional-contamination/

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Sexual orientation Obsession: How do I know if I’m not really gay/straight? https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/sexual-orientation-obsessions/

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Pure O or Compulsive reasoning OCD.

https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/how-do-i-stop-thinking-about-this-what-to-do-when-youre-stuck-playing-mental-ping-pong/

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Relationship OCD (ROCD) https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/relationship-ocd/

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Dermotillomania or Skin Picking Disorder

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22706-dermatillomania-skin-pickin

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Trichotillomania

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichotillomania/symptoms-causes/syc-20355188

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Here is a helpful article for telling others you have OCD

https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/expert-opinionsdear-loved-one-i-have-ocd-tips-for-individuals-and-family-members-about-disclosing-your-ocd/

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Sensorimotor obsessions https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/when-automatic-bodily-processes-become-conscious-how-to-disengage-from-sensorimotor-obsessions/

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Existential and Philosophical OCD  https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/to-be-or-not-to-be-that-is-the-obsession-existential-and-philosophical-ocd/

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Perfectionism. https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/perfectionism/

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Hyperawareness. https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/watch-yourself-people-who-compulsively-observe-themselves/

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OCD in diverse populations

Latin American Trans-Ancestry Initiative in OC (LATION) GENOMICS PROJECT: INFORMATION AND GETTING INVOLVED https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/latino-genomics-project/

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HELPFUL BOOKS

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Brain Lock: Free Yourself From Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior, Jeffrey M. Schwartz, MD with beverly Beyette

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Needing to Know for Sure: A CBT-Based Guided to Overcoming Compulsive Checking and Reassurance Seeking, Martin N. Seif, PhD and Sally M. Winston, PsyD

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Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts, Sally M. Winston, PsyD and Martin N. Seif, PhD

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‘Pure O” Letting Go of Obsessive Thoughts with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Chad Lejeune, PhD

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The Family Guide to Getting Over OCD: Reclaim your Life and Help Your Loved One, Jonathan S Abramowitz, Phd

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The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less, Barry Schwartz