OCD is an acronym for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a medical disorder impacting the lives of approximately 1.2% of the population at any given time. Over a lifetime, an estimated 2.5% of us will meet the clinical criteria for OCD. To qualify for a diagnosis of OCD, a person must have recurrent and persistent obsessive thoughts causing distress, anxiety, or unease and engage in some sort of compulsion or ritual to prevent or neutralize the feared outcome. Compulsions can be either physical or mental. Often individuals feel significant distress from these symptoms which can greatly impair the quality of their lives.

Common obsessions include fear of contamination or getting sick or causing others to be sick, excessive concern with orderliness, excessive doubt (“Did I leave the stove on?”), unwanted thoughts or images centered on harming oneself, loved ones or strangers that are , unwanted sexual thoughts, and relational obsessions (“Did I marry the right person?”).

Common compulsions include washing or cleaning, checking, counting, confessing or seeking reassurance, excessive praying, list making, inserting a ‘good image’ into the mind, and redoing. Compulsions are often done to either reduce stress or reduce the likelihood of something bad happening.

A comprehensive evaluation, like those provided by Great Lakes OCD, is required to diagnose OCD. If you are interested in pursuing treatment with Great Lakes OCD, please call or text 269-319-3110 to schedule a free consultation. You can also email info[at]ocdmichigan.com.