Do you find yourself taking an excessive amount of time performing a task? Perhaps you have to perform it repeatedly before you can move on to another task. Does it distress you if you don’t perform these tasks, leave them incomplete, or aren’t able to do them the requisite number of times you feel it’s necessary? If your answers are in the affirmative, then you need to ask yourself, “Do I have OCD?”
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder that makes people have recurring thoughts that pushes them to do repetitive tasks. It affects about 1.2% of adults in the USA. Struggling with this disorder can be overwhelming for individuals. The compulsions can be consistent and overt to the point of disrupting normal life. Oceanfront Recovery believes positive mental health begins with education. We can guide you through the causes of and treatments for OCD so that you or your loved one can lead a healthier life.
What Causes OCD?
It is normal to have occasional intrusive, random, and sometimes strange thoughts. Most of us can separate these thoughts from our reality and move on. But for OCD victims, these thoughts never go away. Soon the persistent thoughts overwhelm the individual.
The cause of this behavior is attributable to unique pathways in the brain’s neurotransmitter system. This system is responsible for communication between brain cells. People with OCD experience communication in their neurotransmitter system differently. That is why they keep on having persistent thoughts.
Behavioral conditioning is another contributor to the OCD condition. Conditioning a person makes them develop obsessive and compulsive behaviors. For instance, if you have an obsession with germs, you will engage in handwashing to minimize your anxiety. Over time, this hand washing becomes compulsive. In the end, the compulsion will drive you to engage in excessive behavior.
Do I Have OCD?
Take a moment and reflect on your routine. Are there activities that you engage in repetitively, even if they are not beneficial, practical, or useful? If yes, then you should ask yourself why you engage in such behavior. It may be possible that you feel stressed out if you do not engage in these activities. That is why you have a compulsion to engage in them. It is a form of therapy for you.
If the above description fits you, then you seriously need to ask yourself, “Do I have OCD?” This is because one of the major symptoms of OCD is engaging in compulsive behavior. The person engaging in such behavior will spend a lot of time on it (more than 1 hour). Therefore, they end up disrupting their daily routines or interactions because of persistent and compulsive habits.
There isn’t any laboratory test that can show if a person has OCD yet. But professionals at a mental health treatment center can help you determine if you have the condition.
Treatment at Oceanfront Recovery
Oceanfront Recovery has several programs that can help you manage the OCD condition. The anxiety treatment program will help you to manage your anxiety. We know that OCD and anxiety are closely related, so treating one alleviates the other. Therapies are also available at the facility to help you go through the treatment smoothly. Our treatment staff will be available at any time to help you whenever you need them.
Other programs that can help include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment program: The program helps to diagnose any other mental condition that resulted from the OCD condition. We can then treat both conditions at the same time.
- Depression treatment program: OCD can strain your relationships and drive you into depression. The program specializes in handling cases of depression. It will help you rediscover happiness.
- Bipolar disorder treatment program: The program will evaluate you to check if you have the disorder. You will then receive proper treatment to help manage your condition.
- Aftercare treatment program: This program is helpful even after you leave the facility. It is designed to provide follow-up and resources as you stay on track in recovery.
You need to analyze your habits keenly. If you notice any repetitive behavior, and that causes you distress if you miss it, ask yourself, “Do I have OCD?” Also, look around you. Analyze the behavior of your loved ones and ask yourself the same question. If you or any of your loved one has OCD or suspects you have OCD, worry not. You can get help from a mental health facility. Call Oceanfront Recovery today at 877.279.1777. We will help manage your condition.