Do I Have OCD? Find Out Here

It is estimated that around 3 million people Americans suffer from OCD. Even so, there is an absence of comprehensive understanding with regard to the key facets of this mental health condition. Many falsely believe that ‘being a little OCD’ equates to exhibiting a few neurotic characteristics, and maybe washing your hands a bit too much. But it is far more complex than that.

Obsession

Many people are a bit obsessive, but most function in a relatively normal way when it comes to their everyday life. Indeed, an obsessive character may exhibit many characteristics that could even be deemed virtuous and upstanding.

“[Obsessives] are self-reliant and conscientious… They look constantly for ways to help people listen better, resolve conflict, and find win-win opportunities. They buy self-improvement books… and they like to focus on continuous improvement at work because it fits in with their sense of moral improvement.” (Michael Maccoby)

So, an obsessive character lends itself to a perfection complex; constantly needing to be the best and to have it all figured out. As we all know, there are times when we will fall short of our own standards or of the expectations of others. However, an obsessive person may find this incredibly difficult to deal with, and may even spiral into feelings of shame as a result.

Obsessive people may find themselves stuck on even the most basic of decisions. A barista asking the simple question: “what coffee would you like?” may evoke feelings of panic as the person attempts to weigh up all the various factors in making that choice. An important life decision may be even more agonizing to face, as the obsessive person engages in an exhaustive mental assessment of all the pros and cons of such a commitment.

Compulsion

The other side of OCD is compulsion. Compulsive people tend to bypass healthy reasoning, and will instead rush head-first into key decision making. They are unlikely to mull things over or weigh up the consequences. They like to act, and act fast. Someone with a compulsive personality may choose to engage in activities that require little contemplation, but are instead focused on physical activity. They don’t like to stop and think but prefer to make snap assessments of situations. 

When Obsession and Compulsion Combine

Those who suffer from OCD find that these two psychological patterns begin to combine and start to dictate their behavior. They may become continuously compelled to act on their obsessive thoughts, and may not even know why. Sufferers may experience intrusive or even frightening thoughts, and their behavior is often an attempt to rid themselves of such ideas.

For example, someone suffering from OCD may become concerned they are going to get sick. In response, they may sterilize their hands at every opportunity and seek to avoid anyone who is suffering from a contagious illness. On the face of it, this seems relatively normal.

However, an OCD sufferer may develop a tendency to act on obsessive thoughts that have little to do with their susceptibility to getting sick. They may subconsciously believe that these meaningless habits and obsessions will prevent them from getting ill. This sort of behavior can become extremely restricting and life-altering if not treated effectively.

Christian Counseling for those Suffering from OCD

As stated at the beginning of this article, OCD affects millions of people. The important thing is that you do not feel as if you are alone in this struggle. That being said, there is help available.

With the right Christian therapist, you will be able to learn how to take command over your thought patterns, reroute obsessive thinking, and begin to develop a healthy thought life. In turn, this will help you begin to live in freedom and will assist you in developing healthy and flourishing relationships with those around you.