Question

Summarize OCD as Described in the reading. Provide an example of a OCD and a related anxiety disorder Based on your reading from the text. Compare and contrast the OCD with generalized anxiety disorder how are these anxiety disorders similar?

Answer 1

OCD which is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is very common and is seen to affect millions of people in all paths of life. As the name suggests, people with OCD experiences both Obsessions and Compulsions. Obsessions includes unwanted continuous thoughts, images or urge that causes distress or anxiety. Compulsions are something that you do to get relief from this anxiety or distress. Common obsessions include concerns regarding cleanliness, contamination, afraid of not getting things perfectly done, order and symmetry. Common compulsions include double checking, washing/ cleaning, arranging things. Many people do recognize that there obsessions and compulsions are not rational however, due to the extreme distress caused by the obsession people do follow the ritual to get some relief. For example The obsession for extreme cleanliness can cause distress and anxiety to a particular person with OCD if he/ she has to visit or be at a place which is not so clean.

It is thought that both OCD and GAD were considered anxiety disorders in the earlier time. However, in the present time GAD is still a part of anxiety disorder whereas we have a different section for OCD. To differentiate the both in GAD people tend to worry a lot, but they do not engage or have control to get relief or supress their thoughts by engaging in a compulsive behavior. Whereas, people with OCD commonly use repetitive behavior to relieve the stress caused by obsession. Differences in thinking patterns of both these disorders is also seen. People with GAD tend to worry about real life concerns for example, health , finances, family issues, relationships which somehow becomes uncontrollable for people to manage and they tend to imagine the worst outcomes for the same. People with OCD also has the problem for controlling their obsessions however, these obsessions are mostly irrational.