Coping with OCD: Don't Be the Victim, Take Control

There is always something that triggers OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) whether it was something traumatic that happened to you like rape or something simple like seeing something gross on TV; I've heard of all kinds of triggers for a variety of people. For me, it happened when I was in third grade when we had a health speaker come into our classroom to teach us about personal hygiene. After she gave a long speech that I honestly didn't listen to, she turned off the lights and went around the room with a UV light showing us the germs on our hands. Following her rounds, she sent us to the sink in the back of the room and told us to wash our hands for 30 seconds. Needless to say, to this day I wash my hands way too much and count to 30 every time.

After the hand washing ritual that got instilled inside my brain, random things started to emerge. I was soon color coding my clothes, going through a huge bottle of hand sanitizer a week, avoiding touching people and counting everything I do such as my steps and brushing my teeth. It has been a long time since third grade and I still have issues with OCD but have gradually learned to "tone it down". I am here to give you some tips about how to control this disorder. Although there is no "magic pill" or advice that will make it go away in a heartbeat, these tips are key to help relieve some of the mental pain you might feel living with OCD.

Understanding the Symptoms

Typical Obsessions:

1) Fear of contamination with dirt, germs, or poisons

2) Fear of having a serious illness

3) Fear that one's actions hurt other people or cause bad things to happen

4) Inability to discard useless items (hoarding)

5) Inappropriate sexual and aggressive thoughts and images

6) Need for symmetry, order, or exactness

Typical Compulsions:

1) Asking for assurances

2) Avoiding places or situations

3) Cleaning

4) Counting

5) Doing certain tasks slowly and deliberately

6) Doubting and checking, e.g., locks, lights, and ovens

7) Hoarding possessions

8) Ordering or arranging

9) Repeating behaviors, including speech and action

10) Washing, e.g., excessive hand-washing or bathing

Seeking Treatment