Question 1

What triggers OCD?

Accepted Answer

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms are usually triggered by things like increased stress, relentless thoughts, or certain situations.

When an obsessive thought comes to mind, the person with OCD will spend a lot time engaged in a compulsive, repetitive behavior to try to quell the intrusive thoughts. Obsessive hand washing is the most common behavior associated with OCD.

When people with OCD are triggered, their head gets flooded with unwanted thoughts, and they struggle to stop thinking about their obsession until they are able to engage in the compulsive behavior that brings them relief. New research suggests that these symptoms may be caused by communication errors among different parts of the brain.

Someone obsessed with the thought of germs or disease may wash their hands or take a shower a dozen times and still not feel like they are "safe" from their obsessive thoughts.

Here are some other examples of specific obsessions and the accompanying compulsive behavior:

Obsession: Worried something something bad is happening; Compulsion: Repeatedly asking for reassurance or apologizing
Obsession: Saving/collecting items; Compulsion: Hoarding
Obsession: Fear of contamination through; Compulsion: Washing hands, cleaning home

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of talk therapy, has been effective in treating OCD.

What exactly are triggers?

A trigger is something in our environment or mind that causes us to have a specific thought, feel a specific way, or act in a specific way. Triggers frequently cause symptoms to worsen in people with OCD.

Let's imagine you're afraid of being exposed to germs and someone at the table next to you starts coughing while you are dining out. Hearing that person cough may trigger obsessions such, "That person is sick, and now I'm going to get sick," or "I have to get out of this restaurant right now or I'll get sick because that person is spreading germs everywhere."

Question 2

What are common warning signs of OCD?

Accepted Answer

A few of the most common warning signs of OCD include having obsessive thoughts or worries and trying to alleviate these worries with repetitive behavior patterns. Obsessions are identified as uncontrollable thoughts that cause irrational worry and anxiety. For example, you may be obsessed with the thought of order or organization and may get really stressed out if anything in your home is out of its proper place. You may fear that something important will get lost or misplaced.

As a result, you may engage in compulsive, uncontrollable behaviors like arranging and rearranging things until they're "perfect" in your mind. You may be unable to think about anything else, do other things, or even leave the house until you've arranged things just right. In this situation, the obsessive thought is the need for order, and the compulsive behavior is repeated organization.

Even after engaging in the compulsive behavior, the obsessive thought often returns quickly, leading to an ongoing and alarming cycle of thoughts and behaviors that can sometimes take up hours of their lives.

Question 3

What happens if OCD is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

When OCD is left untreated, symptoms may get worse over time. It's unlikely that OCD will go away on its own. Someone with OCD may think their symptoms aren't that bad and will learn to live with the inconvenience caused by their illness, but in time, OCD can become completely debilitating.

They may be unable to get relief from their symptoms, resulting in isolation, insomnia, depression, panic attacks, or depression. People with ongoing OCD may find it difficult to hold down a job or focus on anything other than their obsessive thoughts. To cope with their distressing thoughts, people may seek out drugs and alcohol for relief.

Question 4

Does OCD get worse with age?

Accepted Answer

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is not thought to get worse with age, but it is a long-lasting disorder that doesn't usually go away by itself. While symptoms usually first appear in adolescence or early adulthood, they can fluctuate in severity throughout a person's life, appearing especially during times of stress. Most people who have OCD can recover with treatment, but relapse later in life is a common occurrence.

Sometimes, when a person learns more about their disorder and their own reactions, they can identify things that trigger their symptoms and avoid them. Some people also find relief with medication and therapy. Therapy can teach people the coping mechanisms they need to better deal with distressing thoughts. Support groups can offer those with OCD a place to discuss their symptoms with people who are also in recovery.

Question 5

What are the 4 types of OCD?

Accepted Answer

The four types of OCD are:

Contamination-related. These people are obsessed with thoughts of germs, disease, and filth. They may be afraid to touch anything that may be risky to them, including things like door handles, faucets, toilets, etc. They may engage in compulsive behaviors like repeated hand washing, showering, or disinfecting.
Perfection-related. These people are obsessed with thoughts of order, organization, or symmetry. They may be afraid that something will get lost, or something bad will happen if things aren't perfect. They may spend lots of time arranging and rearranging things, putting things in certain orders, counting objects, superstition, or hoarding objects.
Doubt-related. These people constantly fear that they forgot something and something bad will happen as a result. They may check and recheck that they turned the oven off, that they switched the light off, or that they locked the door.
Taboo thinking. These people find themselves thinking violent, sexual, or religious thoughts that violate their personal values. They may go through rituals of prayer or thought to "cancel out" taboo thoughts.

What triggers OCD?

What exactly are triggers?

Related questions about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

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