Misinformation is one of the biggest
problems surrounding the treatment and management of mental illnesses.
The pop-cultural idea of a mental
illness is often divorced from the reality. For instance, would you recognize
the real-life forms of OCD if you saw them?
We're here to clear up the confusion
and look at the different types of OCD.
Types
of OCD
Although there are no
medically-defined subtypes of OCD, some research has grouped OCD into four
distinct types of OCD behaviors. These are useful for treating the symptoms, as
they provide direct, actionable ways of contextualizing and managing the
condition.
Forbidden
Thoughts
This is the category in which OCD
perhaps overlaps most strongly with other mental health conditions. The
individual suffers from intrusive thoughts that can be hard to control, which
may have violent, sexual, or otherwise disturbing content. In rare cases, this
can lead to coprolalia.
Secondary guilt from these forbidden
thoughts can cause a great deal of mental distress, causing individuals to
question their morality or sanity.
Symmetry
OCD individuals might have a
pathologic need for symmetry, usually manifesting as a sense of physical and
mental discomfort with asymmetry. They might also see symmetry as a means of
preventing disaster—a misfiring of the brain's link between cause and effect.
Cleaning
The most archetypal of OCD symptoms,
cleaning symptoms take the form of excessive concern about cleanliness. This
can include feelings of never being clean, repetitive cleaning behaviors, and
idiosyncratic rituals.
In some cases, cleaning compulsions
can lead to physical injuries, like those caused by excessive scrubbing of
delicate skin. Much like symmetry compulsions, cleaning-based symptoms can
absorb large parts of an individual's day.
Hoarding
Hoarding relates to the acquisition
of items and the refusal to throw them away. This kind of behavior shows up often
in pop culture but rarely in context with OCD, so many people don't realize
that the two are often linked.
As in symmetry symptoms, those with
hoarding tendencies may harbor beliefs that bad things will occur if they don't
act on their compulsions. Hoarding compulsions can be dangerous when
unmonitored, leading to a hazardous living environment.
Do
I Have OCD?
If you experienced some or all of
the above, it could be a sign you have OCD. You may also have OCD if you
experience a strong compulsive or obsessive behavior that reduces your quality
of life. If you suspect you have OCD, speak to a mental health professional
like those at sobanewjersey.com for a professional opinion.
Beware of the pop-cultural view of
OCD. This would have you believe that OCD is merely a preference for a clean
and neat environment. As a mental disorder, OCD is instead characterized as a
set of behaviors causing significant distress and/or a reduced quality of life.
Types
of OCD Explained
While there aren't any official
types of OCD, grouping the signs and symptoms by the way they manifest helps us
understand and explore the disorder. It also helps to combat the misinformation
surrounding OCD.
Looking to expand your health
knowledge? Make sure to check back often for more
