The OCD Survival Guide

I just found out I have OCD, what should I do now?

This OCD survival guide is from a list of frequently asked questions, comments, and concerns, to help you recognize that you are not alone, what common OCD symptoms are, and most importantly, what OCD treatment is and how to find it.

This is a common question among frequently asked questions about OCD for individuals that just found out they have the condition. Like anyone that has been recently diagnosed with a condition, you want to know what it is, how it occurs, how common it is, and if there is treatment.

If you are still wondering if it is OCD, take this online, free OCD test.

Now that you know it is OCD, you need to understand what OCD is, and isn’t

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder composed of two parts: Obsessions and Compulsions. OCD is a chronic, genetic condition that produces significant distress when not properly diagnosed and treated. OCD can severely affect an individual mentally, emotionally and socially.

What are Obsessions?

Obsessions are repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that are negative and produce distress and discomfort. Obsessional themes for individuals with OCD can come in many forms; germs, order, symmetry, fear of harming, violent thoughts and images, sexual fears, religious and morality. In all cases, these thoughts create fear in an individual with OCD because they go against their identity and caste doubt and uncertainty into their lives.

What are Compulsions?

In order to relieve the discomforting feelings of anxiety, fear, shame, and/or disgust from an obsession, an action or behavior is performed to reduce or eliminate the distress. This is called a Compulsion. Compulsions, or any act to avoid or minimize anxiety or guilt, can come in many forms as well; cleaning, washing, checking, counting, tics, or any mental act that replays or checks mentally to determine if one did or is capable of performing any of the obsessional thoughts.

“I feel like I am all alone and no one understands me.”

How common is OCD? 

This is very common for someone with OCD. A lot of times this occurs because we are ashamed and embarrassed to tell anyone what is happening. For others it is because they never heard that OCD impacts between 1.5-2.5% of the World’s population. This means that out of the 7.5 billion people on Earth, there are 112.5 million to 187.5 million people suffering from OCD. 

YOU are not alone

A study by the World Health Organization identified that OCD is among, the ten leading diseases, which are associated with high levels of psychosocial impairment. OCD has become the fourth most common psychiatric disorder and the 10^th leading cause of disability around the world. In the United States alone there are over three million individuals suffering from OCD (International OCD Foundation, 2018).

What causes OCD? 

Research has demonstrated that family genes appear to be partially responsible for the onset of OCD but what unlocks these genes is still unknown (International OCD Foundation, 2018). There is information suggesting that life stressors, trauma and even illness can unlock the OCD genetic code. What is for certain, once this genetic code is unlocked, without effective treatment, OCD becomes a chronic, lifelong condition that leads to a poor quality of life. 

Know that some people and parents usually want to dive into their family line to try and determine who has OCD and who ‘gave this to them.’ Know that even though you can recognize OCD in a family member, this doesn’t mean they were the first ones in your genetic line to have the condition. The condition could have started 10 generations ago. Therefore, although this is something we all wish we could know, your time and energy will be better spent learning about the condition and getting OCD treatment. 

Typical onset for OCD

Typical OCD onset starts around 10 to 12 years old with the average individual taking around 14 to 17 years to seek treatment after onset (International OCD Foundation, 2019). This means that most individuals with OCD will suffer until their twenties when their OCD has gotten severe enough that intervention is needed. 

“Nothing is helping; will I ever be able to find treatment for OCD.”

Is OCD a treatable condition? 

Yes, OCD is one of few mental health conditions that has effective treatment that is scientifically backed and proven repeatedly since the late 80’s. 

“Is there a cure for OCD?”

Just because there is not a cure for OCD, doesn’t mean that you are stuck living the OCD cycle. OCD treatment can help you get back to living the life you once had. 

OCD is a genetic, lifelong condition BUT there is a difference between living the disorder vs. living outside of this disorder (know the difference)

Before you get depressed reading that title, know that just because OCD is genetic and a lifelong condition, that doesn’t mean that you will be where you are today if you get treatment.

Living the Disorder 

Someone that is living within OCD is constantly encountering intrusive thoughts that trigger anxiety and fear and cause them to feel that they need to perform compulsive behaviors. As a result, most people will give in and will spend lots of time performing rituals or behaviors to help them calm down. Unfortunately, by doing compulsions they have reinforced the original intrusive thought and have also guaranteed that it will come again. Once again, the cycle will continue. This is what it means to live within OCD and the disorder.  

Living Outside of the Disorder

Because OCD is a genetic condition, even someone that is living in recovery from OCD will still have an occasional intrusive thought. But unlike someone living the disorder, this person living outside of disorder will recognize the thought as OCD and will choose to implement OCD treatment tools and techniques so that they create separation from the thought and do not go into compulsive behaviors. As a result, they do not feed the original intrusive thought (obsession). They also immediately, return to their life rather than spend time hanging out with their OCD (performing compulsions). As a result of getting treatment, they are able to deal with the symptoms of OCD differently and return to living a normal life. 

“I see OCD on television and it is just people cleaning and washing their hands, that’s not me. I don’t understand why I have OCD.”

There are many types of OCD. These are what are known as “subtypes” of OCD

Unfortunately, people only get to see three forms of OCD on screen. As a result, most people, even those with OCD, don’t realize there are many different forms of OCD. These are called ‘subtypes of OCD.’ Some people call these forms, or obsessional themes.

Each subtype of OCD creates similar intrusive thoughts. For some people, they will have one subtype of OCD. For others, they will have multiple subtypes of OCD. In either case, identifying which type of OCD you have is important because it helps you start to understand the condition more and you will need to know what obsessional theme you are dealing with so that you and your OCD therapist can help you recover. 

Here are some of the common subtypes of OCD:

Checking OCD– checking locks, doorknobs, spelling, if you forgot something, etc. Take a Checking OCD Test.

Contamination OCD– Fear of different forms of contamination such as blood, urine, radiation, HIV, germs, even people, etc. Usually these individuals will need to “decontaminate” themselves or their space in order to “feel” clean, secure, or safe. Some individuals with this form of OCD will spend hours doing this. Take a Contamination OCD Test.

Harm OCD– Fear of harming others or yourself. This can include loved ones. This form of OCD can often times create violent mental images that are overwhelming to the individuals dealing with this type of OCD. It is not uncommon for these individuals to start to avoid loved ones out of fear of acting out these violent thoughts. Take a Harm OCD or Self-Harm OCD Test.

Health Concerns OCD– Consistent fears of health symptoms, cancer, terminal disease, or other physical health concerns. It is not uncommon for these individuals to routinely seek medical attention through checkups, doctors’ appointments, x-rays, scans, and other forms of medical care. This is done in order to reduce and eliminate the fear of dying or suffering from a terminal illness or condition. Take a Health OCD Test.

Homosexual OCD– Fearing that you are a homosexual, questioning your sexuality, etc. Individuals with this form of OCD often times will continually question their sexuality and if they want to be with their significant other. Intrusive sexual images can also create further doubt and uncertainty whether or not they are heterosexual or homosexual. This leaves them constantly questioning themselves. Take a Homosexual OCD Test or a HOCD Test.

Intrusive Thoughts OCD– Any form of OCD has intrusive thoughts Some individuals will also deal with intrusive mental images. It is important to dive deeper into which subtype of OCD best describes your OCD. Take an Intrusive Thoughts OCD Test.

“Just Right” OCD– Usually someone with Just Right OCD will need to take extra time to ensure their outfit, the way they walk, how something feels, etc. feels “just right.” Some people with this form of OCD will spend hours trying on clothing until an outfit feels just right. Take a Just Right OCD Test.

Pedophilia OCD– Fears of being a pedophile and hurting little children. Being sexually or physically inappropriate with little children. Usually, individuals suffering from this form of OCD will have intrusive thoughts or images of being sexually inappropriate. This can cause them to question who they are as a person. Take a Pedophilia OCD Test / POCD Test.

Perfection OCD– Needing everything to be perfect or specific things to be perfect. Examples can be homework, the way you talk, walk, present yourself. It can also be making decisions, organization, or writing. Take a Perfectionism Test or Perfectionism OCD Test.

Postpartum OCD– Can occur after pregnancy. It usually is accompanied by Postpartum Depression. This form of OCD can sometimes be similar to Contamination or Harm OCD. It can also be a combination of many forms of OCD. Just like other forms of OCD, it is important to get treatment for this form of OCD. Take a Postpartum OCD Test.

Pure “O” OCD– Sometimes call Pure Obsessional OCD. There are a lot of people that believe they have Pure O. Unfortunately, this is a myth because in order to have OCD, you must have both obsessions and compulsions. Usually, these individuals don’t recognize that there are mental compulsions contributing to the condition. Mental compulsions are compulsions done internally (in our mind). Examples of these are checking and replaying a past event, trying to push away or avoid thoughts, trying to reassure yourself, or needing to know the answer to something immediately. It is not uncommon for someone that does mental compulsions to use online internet research to try and solve or figure out their obsessional trigger. Take a Pure O Test or Pure Obsessional OCD Test.

Relationship OCD– This form of OCD revolves around specific relationships. Often times it is within intimate relationships where someone questions whether or not their significant other is the one? Are they meant to be together? Should they marry them? Do they love them? Etc. ROCD can also occur within friendships or with family members. Take an ROCD Test or Relationship OCD Test.

Scrupulosity OCD– Often described as Religious OCD or Blasphemy. This form of OCD usually leaves someone having intrusive thoughts about God, their religion, needing to pray to not go to hell, etc. This can happen at church and in other religious settings. Take a Religious OCD Test, Scrupulosity Test, or Blasphemy Test.

Superstitious OCD– The fear of something bad happening can cause someone with superstitious OCD to act out behaviors to ensure that bad thing doesn’t happen. Take a Superstitious OCD Test.

Sexual OCD– This form of OCD can create intrusive thoughts and images about people they don’t want to be sexual with. It can also be aggressive in nature and make someone question who they are or why they would think such thoughts. Take a Sexual OCD Test.

Somatic OCD– Often times this subtype of OCD correlates with Health Concern OCD. Those suffering from Somatic OCD often times are stuck constantly checking the weird sensations they are feeling. Examples of areas of constantly checking are the eyes, blinking, breathing, physical pain, etc. Take a Somatic OCD Test.

Symmetry OCD– Needing everything to be in perfect alignment, centered, symmetric, etc. Individuals with this form of OCD can spend an exurbanite amount of time trying to make sure that items are in their “perfect” place. Take a Symmetry OCD Test.

“I feel depressed all the time because of my OCD.”

Individual’s with OCD are usually suffering from depression

Because of the constant stress and anxiety someone is battling with to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, it is very common to also be suffering from depression. 

Other reasons people with OCD are suffering from depression is because their subtype of OCD causes them to question who they are and if there is some evil person inside them wanting these terrible intrusive thoughts to occur. Know that

One thing to know about OCD and depression is that some people think what they need to do is get therapy for depression. It is important to understand that most people with OCD wouldn’t have depression if they didn’t have OCD. Therefore, it is more important to treat their OCD and as a result, their depression will lift. 

“What’s hard is I not only deal with OCD, but also panic attacks, PTSD, and social anxiety.”

Unfortunately, OCD has a high comorbidity rate . Learn what that means.

This means that individual’s suffering from OCD are also usually suffering from other anxiety disorders, such as, Social Anxiety disorder, Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Other related obsessive-compulsive disorder related conditions are Trichotillomania, Dermotillomania. and Hoarding. 

Some individuals suffering from OCD can also be dealing with ADHD, ADD, Autism, or Asperger’s. There are also individuals that also deal with Tics and Tourette’s. It is important to also identify if any of these other conditions are co-occurring with your OCD. If you find that any of these conditions or others are co-occurring, it would be ideal to find an OCD therapist that can help you treat them as well. 

What is best treatment for OCD?

A common treatment approach for OCD is psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a type of CBT that involves gradually exposing the patient to their obsession or a feared object. The goal is to help you learn healthier ways to cope with your anxiety when exposed to these triggers. It does take some practice and effort for this approach to treatment, but it can offer you a better quality of life since you learn how to manage your compulsions and obsessions. You can opt for therapy sessions in group, family, or individual sessions.

What is ERP?

The gold standard treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention. Often times, referred to as its abbreviation “ERP.” This is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT. 

Exposure-Response Prevention is a treatment technique wherein an individual with OCD is exposed to their obsessional fear (trigger) but learns new tools for how to remain out of compulsive behavior (compulsions). This form of treatment does increase anxiety, but it is done so with the goal of helping the client “desensitize” to the original fear. Therefore, with repeated, prolonged exposure, a client will be able to lower their anxiety and can get to a place where they are no longer triggered by this obsessional fear. This is known as “extinction.” 

ERP is not an easy form of treatment and most people fear that their therapist is going to throw them into the lion’s den and have to face their deepest fear on the first day of treatment. This is not true. Any OCD specialist will ensure that you start at the least triggering fear first and help you get accustom to facing these fears and having breakthroughs. With more breakthroughs, you will feel more comfortable in facing the deeper fears. 

ERP provides a way for people with OCD to learn how to overcome their obsessions, while learning to abstain from compulsive behaviors. 

“Will medication help my OCD?”