Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD, is a very serious illness. It is a chronic, long-term disease. Unfortunately, many people who have the disease go without treatment for fear of embarrassment or lack of understanding about the disease. Yet, it is important for people to learn to recognize the symptoms of OCD and to seek help as soon as possible. The symptoms of OCD are tell-tale, but it is still important to visit a doctor to be accurately diagnosed.

Classic Symptoms

People who have OCD will experience symptoms over a lifetime without treatment. Most likely, these symptoms will come and go over time, but they may still interfere very significantly with a person’s daily activities. The most obvious and prominent symptom of OCD is anxiety, as the disease is a part of a group of mental disorders called anxiety disorders. People with OCD may also experience a sense of dread –or a sense that something terrible will happen to them or a loved one if they do not perform a certain ritual repeatedly. If they do not perform this ritual, they will have extreme anxiety and a sense of incompleteness.

Other symptoms of OCD include the classic symptoms of fear of dirt or germs. There is an over concern or extreme preoccupation with order, neatness, and cleanliness. Everything the patient does must be exact. The patient may experience a fear of having bad thoughts because something terrible may happen, or they may fear becoming embarrassed. People with OCD will also sometimes think of certain sounds, words, or numbers repeatedly for no reason. They will compulsively check something over and over such as whether the stove has been turned off, or they will count numbers repeatedly.

Those who have OCD may also face the constant need for approval, or they may apologize frequently for no obvious reason. They practice frequent hand washing or may overuse personal items to hide body smells. Other symptoms may include habits like frequently sitting down or getting up repeatedly, hoarding objects like papers or magazines, or saying certain phrases over and over. They may even practice certain religious rituals like saying a constant silent prayer repeatedly. Children with OCD will often repeat actions.

Anyone who has OCD is at risk for suicidal thoughts, so if you recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, seek help immediately.

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