Is OCD An Anxiety Disorder, And Do I Have It?
Anxiety is often a significant symptom in those affected by OCD, but is OCD an anxiety disorder? According to the DSM-5, OCD is not usually categorized as an anxiety disorder, although some organizations may still view it as an anxiety disorder. In general, OCD consists of intrusive mental obsessions and resulting compulsions that may temporarily relieve feelings of anxiety. It may also involve various tics. OCD can be treated with a combination of therapy and medication. You can start your OCD treatment journey by connecting with a licensed therapist online.
What is OCD?
When people think of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the thought of someone aggressively cleaning or being extremely hygienic usually comes to mind. However, obsessive-compulsive disorder is usually much more complicated than that.
While the DSM-5 may no longer classify OCD as an anxiety disorder and now generally categorizes it under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, it includes specific diagnostic criteria for OCD, including the following.
Obsessions
- Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are intrusive and cause marked anxiety or distress, in contrast to worrying about a real-life issue
- A purposeful attempt to ignore these thoughts, impulses, or images by thinking about other things
- A knowledge that the obsessions are a product of their mind, as opposed to being delusional
Compulsions
- Repetitive actions (physical or mental) that the person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession
- The behaviors or mental actions usually prevent or reduce distress toward a particular setting
- Actions might not always be affiliated with the content of the obsessive theme
- The symptoms are not typically caused by anything else, such as a concurrent psychiatric condition or a substance
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Manifestations of OCD
OCD can present early in life, most commonly appearing during adolescence and adulthood. No matter the age, OCD can take many forms and vary between individuals. People with this condition can have compulsions, obsessions, or both, and they can be so severe that they interfere with daily life. Symptoms of OCD can come and go and improve or worsen over time.
Signs and symptoms of OCD can include the following:
Obsessions
- Fear of contamination or germs
- Aggressive thoughts towards self or others
- Unwanted taboo or forbidden thoughts involving harm, religion, or sex
- Needing things to be symmetrical or in order
Compulsions
- Excessive hand washing or cleaning
- Repeatedly checking things, like making sure the stove is off or the door is locked
- Counting
- Arranging things in a precise way
Sometimes, people may do these things as a habit; not every ritual is necessarily a compulsion. But someone with OCD normally won’t be able to control these thoughts and behaviors, even if they recognize that they are excessive. They do not typically get pleasure from them, but they may experience relief from anxiety after performing them. People with OCD usually spend at least an hour on these rituals every day, and they can lead to significant problems in their daily life.
Tics
Some people with OCD experience motor or vocal tics. Motor tics can be defined as brief, sudden, repetitive movements, like shrugging their shoulders or jerking their head. Vocal tics can include sniffing, grunting, or repetitive throat clearing.
Do i have ocd or anxiety? What's the difference?
As mentioned, the DSM-5 may no longer classify OCD as an anxiety disorder.
This category usually also includes conditions like body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania (hair pulling), skin picking, hypochondria, and Tourette's Syndrome.
That said, some organizations, like the Department of Health and Human Services, may still consider OCD an anxiety disorder.
It can be accurate to say that OCD was once considered an anxiety disorder in the DSM, but clinicians generally believed it was distinct enough to have a new category in the DSM-5. OCD can still cause anxiety and worry to those affected by it, and these symptoms can be very debilitating.
Treatment options
Treatments for OCD and anxiety can be available. If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms, one of the first steps you should generally take is to get a diagnosis from a licensed professional. This diagnosis may allow you to get treatment for OCD and anxiety, usually in the form of therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
A form of psychotherapy known as CBT or cognitive-behavioral therapy has often been particularly successful for those diagnosed with OCD. It usually requires the individual to confront the sources of their fears and anxiety.
The confrontation strategy is normally a specific type of CBT known as exposure and response prevention (ERP). This type of therapy typically results in modifying thoughts, perceptions, and emotions in problem areas. In a sense, you can train your brain to react differently (or not respond at all) to something that was once dreadful.
Psychiatric medication can also be an option for those with OCD, but you should always speak to your doctor or psychiatrist regarding medication options.
Navigating ocd with therapy
If you’re living with OCD, online therapy can be a vital part of your treatment plan.
Online therapy often has many benefits. You don’t usually have to worry about making phone calls to find a nearby therapist with an open appointment slot or commuting to an office. With online therapy, the process can be simple. After you sign up, you can be matched with an available therapist to start treatment from the comfort of your home. You can usually reach out to your counselor outside of sessions as well, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can send a message, and your therapist will typically get back to you as soon as they can.
Research suggests that online therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder can be an effective form of treatment. A Cambridge study found that internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy was usually effective in decreasing symptoms related to OCD, saying, “ICBT is superior to the control condition in improving OCD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and general functioning”.
Online Therapist Reviews
“Liza has been tremendous. We have worked through my OCD issues with incremental steps and I really feel that I can tell her anything without judgment. I really appreciated that she validated my feelings and helped me on getting through my OCD journey. Thanks again Liza!”
“Very friendly, empathetic, and excellent communication. Fantastic descriptions of how our brain works and the thought functionality. Streamlined and easy to follow “homework.” He helps me stay on track (I am one giant tangent) and get to the root of the issue and he helps create a step by step game plan on how to effectively assist me with my anxiety and OCD.”
Takeaway
Is OCD considered an anxiety disorder?
In previous versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was classified under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. However, the most recent version (DSM-5) lists it in its own category: “Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.”
Is OCD an anxiety disorder or a personality disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is neither an anxiety disorder nor a personality disorder. In previous versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), it was classified as an anxiety disorder, but the most recent version (DSM-5) puts it in a separate category called “Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.” It has never been classified as a personality disorder, which is a separate category of mental health disorders.
Is OCD a coping mechanism for anxiety?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a separate type of mental illness from anxiety disorders. However, people with OCD tend to experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts that can be anxiety-provoking. These mental acts can then contribute to their engagement in compulsive behaviors as a way to cope with or try and dissipate the anxiety the thoughts cause.
Is OCD a form of autism?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and autism spectrum disorder are separate diagnoses, but certain symptoms of the two may overlap. Examples include repetitive or ritualistic behaviors, difficulty tolerating uncertainty or a break in routines, and increased sensitivity to one’s environment.
In addition, it’s not uncommon for the two conditions to occur simultaneously within the same individual. As one review on the topic reports, individuals with OCD may be 13 times more likely to have comorbid autism spectrum disorder than those without OCD.
What is OCD commonly mistaken for?
It’s not uncommon for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to be misdiagnosed at first since symptoms may overlap with those of other mental illnesses—particularly when it manifests as mild to moderate symptoms. For example, OCD and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can both cause anxious and even obsessive thoughts.
Another example is the common confusion between OCD and autism in some individuals, as both can manifest as repetitive behaviors, difficulty tolerating uncertainty or a break in routines, and increased sensitivity to one’s environment. OCD and eating disorders also have some similarities and may be frequently comorbid, and the same goes for some tic disorders.
What is the root cause of OCD?
The cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is not fully understood, but researchers suspect that it may be a combination of genetics, individual differences in brain chemistry or structure, and environment.
What triggers OCD?
Generally, it’s a specific type of anxious, obsessive, intrusive thoughts that can trigger compulsive rituals in an individual with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Any number of situations can trigger obsessions like this, from those where the person has to interact with germs, dirt, or grime to instances where they have to spend time in a disorderly or disorganized environment. These thoughts and behaviors can both be triggered or exacerbated by high levels of stress.
What are the 3 main symptoms of OCD?
According to the National Health Service (NHS) of England, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has three main symptoms. These include obsessions or obsessive thoughts, the distressing emotions they cause, and the compulsive behaviors that an individual may engage in to cope with these thoughts and emotions.
Examples of common obsessions include fear of deliberately harming yourself or someone else, fear of germs, dirt, or contamination, and a need for order or symmetry. Symptoms can be time-consuming, cause the individual significant distress, and interfere with daily functioning, but they can generally be managed with professional treatment.
Does OCD show up on a brain scan?
Health professionals are able to detect differences in the brain of an individual with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) compared to the brain of an individual without this disorder. In fact, one of the first psychiatric disorders to be detected through abnormal activity in brain scans was OCD.
Does OCD get worse with age?
Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can fluctuate over time depending on life circumstances, stress levels, and other factors. In general, it may worsen over time as a person moves from early adulthood to older adult years, but symptoms of OCD treated with the support of a mental health professional or care team can typically be managed.
- Previous Article
- Next Article