What is OCD?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that impacts the lives of millions. OCD is characterised by distressing, unwanted, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours performed to neutralise them.
These compulsions are repeated until the distress is neutralised; however, as OCD progresses, compulsions become less effective in providing relief.
"Pure O" OCD
People with OCD don’t always engage in visible compulsions. This form of OCD has previously been referred to as Pure Obsessive or “Pure O.” However, clinicians and researchers believe this term may be misleading, as individuals with Pure O may not realize they are performing mental compulsions.
​
Mental compulsions can include trying to avoid certain thoughts, distracting yourself with other thoughts, counting, arguing with intrusive thoughts, reviewing memories, reasoning with intrusive thoughts, repeating words or phrases, praying, or engaging in mental problem-solving. All of these behaviors can subtly reinforce your fears.
Common Themes
Everyone's experience of OCD is unique to them, but there are some common themes between individuals. OCD always attacks a person's values. Some common themes inlcude:
-
Hygeine/Conamination
-
Harm
-
Religous and Moral
-
Sexual
-
Real Events
-
Just Right
​The OCD Cycle
No matter the theme, OCD always follows a cycle. The "OCD Cycle" is the pattern of reinforcement that keeps symptoms going.
It starts with an intrusive thought, feeling, sensation, memory, image, or idea. These intrusions may seem random, but they are often triggered by a situation, object, topic, or
memory.
​
These intrusions conflict with the individual’s values and cause distress (such as anxiety, disgust, shame, or guilt). Compulsions are then performed to reduce this distress.
Unfortunately, reacting to these intrusions with compulsions only provides short-term relief.
​
Over time, performing compulsions reinforces the distress. When an individual feels the need to react every time they experience an intrusion, their brain becomes more sensitive to potential triggers. This heightened sensitivity leads to a cycle that starts all over again.
