From Doubt to Distress: Recognizing the Signs of OCD in Adults

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is typically associated with symptoms that manifest during childhood or adolescence, but it can also affect adults. Adults with OCD often have a significantly longer delay in receiving a diagnosis, due to the mistaken belief that OCD is a disorder that primarily affects children. The mental and emotional distress that comes with undiagnosed OCD can be debilitating, leading to a compromised quality of life.

It’s essential to know the signs of OCD, so you can seek help as soon as possible. OCD manifests itself in a variety of ways, and because of this, the disorder is sometimes challenging to recognize. However, here are some common signs of OCD in adults:

1. Obsessive thoughts

One of the most common signs of OCD is obsessive thoughts. These thoughts can include things like constantly questioning if you locked the door, worrying about germs, and feeling like something terrible will happen if you don’t complete a particular action. Patients with OCD can find it challenging to stop these thoughts, which leads to an increase in anxiety and frustration.

2. Repetitive behaviors

Repetitive behaviors or compulsions are another sign of OCD. These behaviors may involve checking and re-checking things, such as locks or appliances, washing hands repeatedly, or counting things over and over. They usually feel like uncontrollable behavior, and the patient may feel that they must complete them to avoid negative consequences.

3. Avoidance behaviors

Avoidance behaviors are another sign of OCD in adults. People with OCD will often avoid situations and environments that trigger obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. For example, if they have an obsession with germs, they may avoid crowded places or shaking hands with people. Similarly, if they have a fear of harming someone, they may avoid sharp objects or situations where they might be a danger to others.

4. Interference with daily activities

OCD can interfere with a person’s daily life in many ways. Whilst the specific compulsions and obsessions of each individual with OCD are different, the overall theme is that the rituals, thoughts or activities become so time-consuming that it starts to affect normal daily functioning. For example, a person may take up to 2 hours to leave the house because they cannot stop checking and rechecking the locks or feel that they have to complete a certain behavior a specific number of times before leaving.

It’s important to recognize that people with OCD are usually aware of and troubled by their behaviors and obsessions. These symptoms can lead to significant distress and interfere with work, social relationships, and other aspects of daily life. OCD is a treatable disorder and responding well to treatment. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is the most effective form of treatment for OCD and involves exposure to the obsessive thought without engaging in compulsive behavior.

If you recognize any of the signs of OCD in yourself or someone you know, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. A qualified therapist can help you manage symptoms and develop strategies to improve your quality of life. Remember: early diagnosis and intervention for OCD lead to better outcomes.