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People who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are preoccupied with certain distressing thoughts, and feel compelled to perform certain extreme behaviors. People become obsessed with images or thoughts that force their way into a person’s awareness against a person’s will. These thoughts are so disturbing that they cause intense anxiety. The more common obsessions are about being “dirty” or “unclean.” The famous billionaire Howard Hughes had an intense fear of contamination.
Compulsions
Obsessions usually give rise to compulsions. These are irrational acts that a person feels driven to repeat. Many compulsive people are cleaners or checkers. For example, a mother who fears a knife plunging into her baby might check once every hour to be certain that all of the knives in the house are locked away. This act certainly lessens her anxiety, but over time it takes over her life. Likewise, a person who feels “contaminated” from touching everyday objects because “germs are everywhere” may be driven to wash their hands hundreds of times a day.
Feeling More Secure
Not all Obsessive Compulsive Disorders are so dramatic. Many simply involve extreme orderliness and a rigid routine. “A place for everything, and everything in its place” is another example. Strict attention to detail and rigidly following routines to keep daily activities totally under control helps the highly anxious person feel more secure. Some lesser patterns may be classified as a Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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