What is OCD?

What is OCD?

Individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have two main types of symptoms: obsessions and compulsions. 

Obsessions are thoughts, images or urges that are unwanted and uncontrollable.  Many individuals report they find these obsessions difficult to stop and that they make them feel anxious.

Compulsions are the things we do to reduce the anxiety of the obsessions.  They can be behaviour (for example, washing our hands) or they may be mental steps or processes (for example, saying something in our mind).  Our compulsions may or may not be observable by others.

Intrusive thoughts illustration

TAKE THE FIRST STEP TODAY

BOOK YOUR FREE 15 MINUTE INTRODUCTION SESSION NOW

Get Started

What are the main types of OCD?

There are four main types of OCD

  • Responsibility Obsessions and Checking Compulsions

Individuals with Responsibility Obsessions worry that they might have done something, or not done something, which may cause harm to themselves or others. For example, they may worry that they have not turned off a appliance (stove) and that it will cause a fire. These obsessions often lead to Checking Compulsions, such as repeatedly checking things like doors or appliances.

  • Contamination Obsessions and Cleaning Compulsions

Individuals with Contamination Obsessions worry that they might become contaminated from germs, dirt, body fluids or environmental contaminants. For example, they may worry that they will catch a particular disease or illness or pass a disease or illness onto others or are just not clean enough. Individuals with these obsessions will often perform Cleaning Compulsions to reduce their anxiety, such as excessively washing their hands or using hand santisers or may have rules around how to do household cleaning.

  • Arranging Obsessions and Compulsion

Individuals with Arranging Obsessions focus on achieving symmetry, balance and order in their environment. For example, they may feel that something bad will happen if things aren’t in the correct order or place or they may feel a sense of unease when they feel that things are not ‘right’.  Individuals with these obsessions will have Arranging Compulsions aimed at making things symmetrical or neat, for example: arrange their wardrobes, items on their desk or order, count or arrange things in different ways according to strict rules.

  • Unacceptable Thoughts and Mental Repeating Compulsions

Individuals with Unacceptable Thought Obsessions experience thoughts, images, or urges, which they find unacceptable (these can be aggressive, sexual or religious in nature). For example, they may experience images or urges to physically hurt someone or do something inappropriate that may offend their religious figures or others. Individuals with these obsessions perform Mental or Repeating Compulsions to try to ‘counteract’ or Repeating Compulsions to ‘neutralise’ these unacceptable thoughts such as replace unacceptable thoughts with acceptable thoughts or repeat behaviours to cancel unwanted thoughts.

The OCD Cycle

The OCD cycle consists of four stages: obsessions, anxiety, compulsions, and temporary relief.

OCD Cycle

TAKE THE FIRST STEP TODAY

BOOK YOUR FREE 15 MINUTE INTRODUCTION SESSION NOW

Get Started
Treatment for OCD

Treatment for OCD

There are two main types of treatment for OCD that have been proven to be beneficial:

  1. Psychological care: These focus on helping individuals to understand their symptoms and teach them skills to reduce their symptoms. Bonacci Practice can support you with psychological care.
  2. Pharmacological: These treatments focus on prescribing medications that can reduce symptoms when taken regularly – e.g., Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). If you are interested in pharmacological treatment, please reach out to your GP.

A combination of both psychological care and pharmacological treatment can be beneficial.

psychology and mental health planning

Do You Have a Question? Get In Touch With Us

If you would like to book an appointment get in touch with us on 0494 316 395 or fill in the form to the right.

  • 0494 316 395
  • info@bonaccipractice.com.au
Book appointment

      Start your journey towards greater mental well-being

      PHONE

      0494 316 395

      EMAIL

      info@bonaccipractice.com.au

      Cart