obsessive-compulsive disorder
Ritualistic anxiety condition
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors performed to relieve anxiety (compulsions).
Someone with OCD might wash their hands dozens of times daily or check repeatedly that doors are locked.
The condition ranges from mild to severely debilitating.
Often abbreviated OCD, which has spread into casual use for any fastidious behavior: I'm so OCD about my desk—a usage many find trivializing.
Involuntary disturbing mental content
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- doubtLack of firm belief
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
taboo thoughts · preoccupation · magical thinking · catastrophizing · hyperawareness · scrupulosity
Treatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
- SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
- relapse preventionStrategies against returning symptoms
Severe anxiety or suffering
- fearEmotional response to threat
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- tensionStretched or strained state
unease · nervousness · apprehension · hypervigilance · fight-or-flight · overwhelm · anticipatory anxiety · health anxiety
Cleaning palms with soap
- checkingAct of verification
- countingDetermining quantity sequentially
- orderingPlacing in sequence
- arrangingSystematically positioning elements
repeating · tapping · touching · hoarding · cleaning · confessing · avoidance · neutralizing
Identification of illness
- DSM-5Psychiatric diagnosis guidebook
- psychiatristMental disorder physician
- psychologistMental behavior specialist
- co-morbidityCoexisting medical conditions
assessment · differential diagnosis · onset · severity · insight · neurobiological · basal ganglia · glutamate
intrusive thoughts
Involuntary disturbing mental content
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- doubtLack of firm belief
uncertainty · taboo thoughts · preoccupation · magical thinking · catastrophizing · hyperawareness · scrupulosity
cognitive-behavioral therapy
Treatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
- SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- habituationDiminished reaction over time
relapse prevention · deep brain stimulation · psychoeducation · support groups
distress
Severe anxiety or suffering
tension · unease · nervousness · apprehension · hypervigilance · fight-or-flight · overwhelm · anticipatory anxiety · health anxiety · shame
handwashing
Cleaning palms with soap
arranging · repeating · tapping · touching · hoarding · cleaning · confessing · avoidance · neutralizing · redoing
diagnosis
Identification of illness
- DSM-5Psychiatric diagnosis guidebook
- psychiatristMental disorder physician
- psychologistMental behavior specialist
co-morbidity · assessment · differential diagnosis · onset · severity · insight · neurobiological · basal ganglia · glutamate
- will disordersapathy, impulsivity, disinhibition
- Mind-Skin Disorderstrichotillomania, neurodermatitis, skin picking, nail biting, hair pulling
obsessive-compulsive disordercognitive flexibility
Capacity to shift perspectives
spontaneity · flexible thinking · nonchalance · adaptability · mental flexibility
obsessive-compulsive disorderapathy
Absence of feeling
indifference · carelessness · nonchalance · unconcern · antisocial personality disorder
obsessive-compulsive disordermental health
Emotional and cognitive well-being
mental well-being · neurotypicality · emotional well-being · sound mind
obsess, obsessed, obsessing, obsession, obsessions, obsessional, obsessively, obsessiveness, compel