Obsessive Compulsive Disorer

You might remember Jack Nicholson’s performance in the movie “As Good As It Gets” when he suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). He had several symptoms from an inability to step on cracks between sidewalk squares to bringing his own silverware to the same restaurant he frequented daily to avoid exposure to germs. This is one instance of OCD but it can take many forms and have varying degrees of severity on quality of life.

This disorder is made up of a struggle between obsessions and their accompanying compulsions. Obsessions are distressing thoughts that reoccur. Some common examples are: a fear the door was left unlocked or an appliance left on; a fear of being contaminated by germs; a need to have things in a particular order. These fears are known to be unrealistic by the person, but never the less, the obsessions continue to intrude in their thought processes.

A compulsion, on the other hand, is a behavior that eases the anxiety the obsession brings on. For instance, the behavior might be repeatedly checking the door to see if it is locked or repeatedly washing one’s hands to get rid of germs. These behaviors take up a significant amount of time and only provide temporary relief, as the obsessions return soon after.
The treatment for this disorder often focuses on reducing the compulsions used to relieve the stress from the negative thoughts. It is easier to prevent acting out a behavior than to stop a fleeting thought. By reducing the compulsions, the obsessions are not reinforced and should decrease as well. Secondly, medications can be helpful while the person learns to reduce the time spent on compulsions.

The course of OCD is usually chronic but symptoms can increase or decrease depending on stress levels. Psychotherapy can be an essential way to manage this difficult disorder and minimize its impact on one’s quality of life.