Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a serious mental health disorder. Though the term is used to refer to just having quirks or needing things to be orderly, in the drug disorder, a person cannot control their actions when it comes to repetitive behaviors. Those behaviors are not always related to the organization either. Knowing the signs of OCD can help you to understand if it is really occurring and, if so, what to do about it. At Oceanfront Recovery, our team can help you achieve these goals.

Common Signs of OCD

OCD is characterized by unwanted thoughts repetitively playing out in the mind. These tend to be irrational as well as excessive urges a person cannot control. Sometimes compulsions develop for specific actions with no real understanding of why that action becomes so important. Many people with this condition know that their thoughts and behaviors are irrational. They have no way to stop them. Common signs of needing OCD treatment include:

Obsessions: Generally, these are invasive, upsetting impulses a person cannot control that occur repeatedly. They may try to suppress them but fail to do so. Completing behaviors help to reduce anxiety or help a person feel better when they engage in them.
Compulsions: It’s also important to look for repetitive actions and rituals. Those with this condition believe that if they follow the routine just right, a favorable outcome occurs. It may help prevent a bad thing from happening.

Everyday Signs of OCD

Think about your day and what you experience frequently. Look for signs such as:

Frequent handwashing or using hand sanitizer beyond what is considered normal behavior.
A constant need to clean, including being afraid of germs.
Checking behavior in which a person needs to check something repeatedly for fear that if they don’t, something bad will occur, such as checking the stove to ensure it is off.
Counting rituals, especially those requiring a specific numeric pattern, such as climbing steps, might be a sign.
Organization that is extreme and, most importantly, unable to focus on anything else unless everything is organized just right.
Unwanted sexual thoughts or behaviors that cannot be controlled.
Dwelling on relationships includes those who are no longer a part of their lives, including partners, coworkers, friends, or others.

It’s also important to look for signs of addiction. Many people with drug and alcohol addiction have underlying mental health disorders. Those with COD may use drugs, especially alcohol, to stop the thoughts and control behaviors by decreasing the central nervous system’s function. That helps to “turn off” what they are thinking, at least for a short period of time.

What to Do When the Signs of OCD Are Present?

Mental health treatment can be the first step. This type of treatment involves using medications and talk therapy to guide a person into improved behaviors and fewer disruptive behaviors. Our team at Oceanfront Recovery can offer one-on-one help through various programs for those with this condition. We offer a specific OCD treatment program that can help you. Some of our other mental health therapy programs include:

OCD does not just go away. That’s what makes it very frightening to many people. Yet, you can get comprehensive control over your behaviors and manage them well with the proper help.

Ready to Embrace Treatment? Call Oceanfront Recovery Today

Do you see the signs of OCD in yourself or a loved one? It’s time to seek out mental health treatment to improve the quality of life. Our team at Oceanfront Recovery can provide the tools necessary to see changes. To learn more, call 877.279.1777 or connect with us online.