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OCD is characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions. The difference between “developmentally normative preoccupations” and those of OCD is that preoccupations of OCD are excessive or persistent beyond an appropriate period. Several factors must be assessed for clinical diagnosis, including the individual’s level of distress and impairment in functioning.
Individuals with OCD often have dysfunctional beliefs and varying degrees of insight into the validity of these beliefs. For instance, individuals with good or fair insight recognize that their OCD beliefs are not true. Those with poor insight think their OCD beliefs are probably true, and individuals with no insight are convinced that their OCD beliefs are true.
OCD has been associated with a hyperactive circuit in the brain that includes the orbitofrontal cortex (involved in planning and decision-making), the basal ganglia (involved in motor acts and motor learning and habits), and the thalamus (which filters information coming into the nervous system).
While research shows that the circuit in brains with OCD functions abnormally, the cause of that abnormal function is not known. It’s likely, however, that some combination of temperamental, environmental, and genetic or physiological factors contribute to OCD.1
The frequency and severity of obsessions and compulsions vary – some individuals with mild to moderate symptoms may spend 1-3 hours per day obsessing or doing compulsions, whereas others have nearly constant intrusive thoughts or compulsions that can be incapacitating.
Statistics on OCD include that:2
Adult females are affected at a slightly higher rate than adult males
Males are more commonly affected in childhood
The mean age at onset of OCD is 19.5 years
25% of cases start by age 14 (onset after 35 is unusual)
25% of males have onset before age 10
76% of adults with OCD have a lifetime diagnosis of an anxiety disorder
30% of individuals with OCD also have a lifetime tic disorder
The prevalence of OCD in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder is approximately 12%
Compulsions are more easily diagnosed in children than obsessions are because compulsions are observable.
Related disorders include:
Individuals who experience high levels of anxiety in their everyday life may turn to substance use as a way of coping with their stress. Approximately 10 to 40% of individuals with OCD, an anxiety disorder, develop a co-occurring substance abuse disorder (SUD) over their lifetime. Alcohol use disorder is the most common co-occurring SUD in people with OCD.
While OCD and SUDs are both associated with high levels of compulsive behavior, the source of that behavior is significantly different. People with OCD perform compulsive behaviors in response to obsessive thoughts and to relieve the distress caused by these thoughts (or out of the unrealistic belief that something bad will happen otherwise). People with SUDs tend to derive some pleasure from using a substance and are driven by the compulsion to use.5
Self-medication may offer some relief in the short term, but self-medication can lead to addiction if used carelessly. Depending on the substance being consumed, addiction may quickly develop.
Additionally, while some substances may potentially alleviate OCD symptoms (e.g. opiates), these substances may lead to other mental health problems and addiction. There is also evidence that taking certain substances (e.g. cocaine or methamphetamine) may exacerbate OCD symptoms. It’s always a safer bet to seek professional help.5
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Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services.
Iris Healing Center
Certification: 190056AP
Expiration Date: 12/31/2025
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License Number: 190943AP
Expiration Date: 1/31/2025
Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services.
Iris Healing Center
Certification: 190056AP
Expiration Date: 12/31/2025
Iris Healing Retreat
License Number: 190943AP
Expiration Date: 1/31/2025
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