How Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Affects Young People

Written by Marilena Andreou, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition where an individual suffers with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Some children can display symptoms of OCD from six years old, but usually the onset is around puberty age or early adulthood. OCD usually consists of exhibiting recurrent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. The symptoms can worsen when you experience heightened stress levels (in young people this could be: school pressures, home life changes, friendship issues et cetera). The severity of the symptoms can vary throughout one’s lifespan.

Obsessions

With OCD an obsession is an unwanted thought, image or an urge that pops into your mind which causes anxiety, disgust or distress. These obsessions can be extremely difficult to control or remove from your mind. An example of an intrusive thought or image is about your hands being contaminated with germs and spreading them to others. This can evoke a lot of distress and anxiety so you try to push it out of your mind. Almost everyone experiences some of the intrusive thoughts or images that those with OCD have (for example worrying that the front door was not locked or having an urge to push someone in front of a moving car). However, the main difference is that those with OCD give those intrusive thoughts (or images) a different meaning. Those who don’t have OCD, just see the intrusive thought as a thought and they take no further action.

Compulsive behaviours

A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour that you feel a strong urge to perform. These repetitive behaviours (or mental acts) are supposed to reduce your anxiety or distress in connection with your obsessions or to prevent something bad from happening. However, usually by performing the compulsions, this provides no pleasure and only gives temporary relief from anxiety, until the cycle reoccurs.

Compulsions tend to fall under the following themes:

• Washing and cleaning (for example repeatedly hand-washing until skin becomes sore).

• Counting (for example, counting in certain patterns, such as using only even numbers).

• Checking (for example, repeatedly checking doors and windows are locked).

• The need for reassurance (seeking reassurance from partner that you haven’t accidently put a cleaning product in food preparations).

• Orderliness (for example, ensuring that all tins in kitchen cupboards are facing the same way).

• Following a strict routine (for example, extreme eating habits).

When to seek help

There is a huge difference between someone who practises good hygiene levels (like showering daily) and someone who feels compelled to repeatedly wash hands until they are sore (because they have intrusive thoughts about germs and contamination). If the OCD symptoms are having a detrimental impact on your life and day-to-day functioning, then you could go and consult with your GP initially. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is proven to be very effective in treating OCD and reducing the symptoms. CBT aims to use exposure therapy and cognitive strategies to help to improve the overall symptoms. Don’t suffer in silence! With OCD becoming more widely recognised at early onset, you can seek professional help to improve the quality of your life.

Website: inspiring-minds-therapy.co.uk