Information, Symptoms

Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Rahat Lookmanji

When were hear about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, we assume that there is only one type. We have all seen a stereotype of someone with OCD portrayed in the media, where an individual obsessively cleans their homes. However, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders are far more complicated than that. There are four main types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, which are discussed below. But first, what are Obsessions and Compulsions?

What are Obsessions?

Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, images or urges that are unwanted and intrusive. These obsessions often cause distress and anxiety for the individual. A person with an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder may try to ignore or suppress these obsessions, but this is extremely difficult for the individual. They may try to neutralise the obsession by performing a task or mental act, which is the compulsion.

What are Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that a person is driven to perform in order to neutralise the negative effects brought on by their obsessions. These repetitive behaviours or mental acts are carried out to reduce the stress, anxiety and distress caused by the obsessions. On the other hand, compulsions are performed to prevent a dreaded situation or event from taking place. However, the compulsions though they may make the individual feel better, they are not in any realistic way preventing the ‘awful thing’ from happening. In other forms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, the obsessions are primarily body focused as are the resulting compulsions. Obsessions are often time excessive and can have a negative impact on an individual’s mental, social, physical and emotional health.

What Comes First?

Usually, there has been an event or situation that has caused distress. The individual has performed an action or mental task and has felt better. Over time thoughts about similar situations and events become more and more intrusive and take up significantly more time. Eventually, the person will start performing actions or mental tasks that help make them feel better. As time passes, this person may feel unable to cope without performing their compulsions.

Though the compulsive behaviour is more noticeable and can be a source of concern for the individual and loved ones, the core issue is the obsessions. Obsessions are the catalyst for compulsive behaviours. therefore, getting to the route of the obsessions and treating these maladaptive thought patterns is the most effective and long-lasting treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders.

Types and Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

For an individual to have OCD, they usually experience both obsessions and compulsions. The obsessions are difficult, if not impossible to ignore and cause the individual to feel anxious or distressed. Compulsions can be behaviours; such as hand washing, checking (for example that the door is locked multiple times) – or mental acts, such as praying, counting or repeating words under their breath. these behaviours and or mental acts are aimed at reducing distress or anxiety. The compulsion can also be aimed at preventing something disastrous from happening – however, the behaviours or mental acts that do not in any realistic way actually prevent the negative event from happening are clearly excessive.

Individuals with Hoarding disorder find it extremely difficult to discard or part with possessions, regardless of their value. They can experience distress and anxiety if they part with or discard something. Often such individuals feel the need to save the items, in case they may be of use in the future. Because of this difficulty to discard items, the individual’s living space can become cluttered and the indented use of the space is reduced. The hoarding can also cause significant damage to the individual’s overall wellbeing, affecting their social relationships, their work and even their physical health.

Trichotillomania, also know as Hair-Pulling Disorder, is characterised by the recurrent pulling out of one’s hair that can result in hair loss. The individual may have made many attempts to reduce or stop this behaviour, but with little success. It also causes distress in their social and occupational functioning. An individual with this disorder may pull out hair from anywhere on their body, such as the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes etc.

Excoriation Disorder – also known as Skin-Picking Disorder is characterised by recurrent picking at the skin to the extent that it causes damage such as lesions. The individual may have tried to reduced or stop this behaviour in the past. The most common areas that people with this disorder pick at are the face, arms and hands, but it can be anywhere on the body. They may pick at healthy skin, at minor skin ‘imperfections’, pimples, scabs or callouses. Most people pick using their fingernails, but may also use tools such as tweezers. The behaviours aside from picking may involve biting, squeezing etc.

References

  1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition

Published by Rahat Lookmanji

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