How do I know if I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

We briefly review the defining characteristics of this disorder.

Has it ever happened to you that you come back repeatedly to check if the door of the house is properly closed, you sort by size and color everything you find around you or you wash your hands very often? Well, these are some possible behaviors in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But... don't panic! Next we will see what this peculiar disorder consists of and we will review some help to know if you suffer from it or not.

Basic diagnostic criteria for OCD

For a person to be diagnosed with OCD has to meet some criteria reviewed by the health professional. The first is that he or she must present obsession, compulsion or both. But... what is an obsession and what is a compulsion?

Obsessions are recurrent thoughts, impulses or images that are characterized by being intrusive and unwanted. and unwanted. This causes anxiety and discomfort in the person. They must be egodistonic, that is, go against one's personality. For example, it happens to a person characterized by being calm, kind and empathic to have intrusive thoughts of hurting someone. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors and/or mental acts performed in order to prevent or diminish the anxiety and discomfort caused by obsessions. When performed, relief is achieved, and when not performed, anxiety increases.

Obsessions and/or compulsions require much time and can cause clinical discomfort or impairment in various or deterioration in various areas in which the person is immersed (work, study, family). Great care must be taken not to confuse its symptoms with side effects of drugs, disease or other disorders. The onset of this disorder is more common in adulthood and is more frequent in women.

Degrees of introspection

There are varying degrees of introspection in OCD.. That is, the degree to which people believe that what occurs in their intrusive thoughts will pass if certain repetitive behavior is not performed. The person will believe that the intrusive thoughts (obsession) are likely to manifest if he or she does not do the iterative behavior (compulsion).

For example, the person who locks all doors and windows and will check many times to make sure they are securely fastened, believing that if he or she does not do so, he or she could die. These behaviors become constant rituals.The obsession will become a material reality if these acts are not carried out.

What you should know

Now you can breathe easy! Or not. You already have all the basic information to intuit if your repetitive behaviors are OCD or not.

If you perform or have performed repetitive behaviors you can do the exercise of analyze the purpose of these behaviors. That is the key to clarifying your doubt as to whether or not you have OCD. Checking the door a lot to make sure it is closed, always walking on the left side, always adjusting your glasses, biting your lips all the time, organizing objects by size and color or washing your hands frequently... are behaviors that by themselves do not say much. It is essential to identify if these acts seek or have the objective of eradicating or diminishing some obsession.

Also, be careful not to confuse it with obsessive-compulsive personality traits or with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, which are topics for another article.

Because of the effectiveness of treating OCD when it is just emerging, it is important to see a mental health professional if you notice any type of intrusive thinking if you observe any type of intrusive thinking and/or repetitive behavior or mental act, since only in this way can a definitive diagnosis be made.

Bibliographical references:

• American Psychiatric Association, et al. DSM-5: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Madrid