OCD Anxiety: The Second Stage in the OCD Cycle

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that causes repeated thoughts or obsessions and actions or compulsions. Some people have both obsessions and compulsions. This disorder goes beyond nail biting or negative thought processes. OCD is a disorder that is just as compulsive as it is obsessive. The repeated behaviors often result in a fear that becomes OCD anxiety.

OCD can disrupt life and create chaos where there is none. There are a few different types of OCD that have some common themes:

Checking: the constant impulse to double-check that something was done, such as checking doors, alarms, or lights multiple times.

Symmetry/ordering: everything must line up a particular way and involves repetitive counting.

Contamination: The fear that something is dirty leads to a compulsion to clean or refuse to touch doorknobs or other people’s hands.

Intrusive thoughts: an obsession with a line of thought that can be disturbing.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7, ESV

OCD vs Anxiety

OCD and anxiety can have some of the same feelings since both conditions are related to feelings of being out of control. Anxiety is distinctly different when combined with OCD in a few ways as it is a constant fear of something or thoughts. The continual intruding thoughts that cause fear can lead to OCD anxiety.

People with anxiety rarely have intrusive thoughts that are challenging to suppress. These individuals tend to have symptoms that revolve around worry and overthinking and typically exhibit physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, nervousness, and trembling.

Those with OCD will have repeating intrusive (unwanted) thoughts of unrealistic uncertainty that lead to ritualistic compulsive behavior. They often understand that their behavior patterns are problematic, yet they still feel compelled to continue the pattern so nothing bad happens.

OCD Cycle

The major difference between the two is whether obsessive or compulsive behaviors are present. OCD is a cycle of behavior that begins with obsession and ends with a temporary state of relief. The related anxiety is the second stage of this cycle. As the initial intrusive thought starts there can be a rise in anxiety which leads to compulsive behavior to help alleviate the anxiety. This will lead to temporary relief until the intrusive thought comes back.

OCD Anxiety Defined

There was a time when OCD was categorized as a type of anxiety on the anxiety disorder spectrum. However, it was noted that when a person is highly agitated over the obsession this can lead to OCD anxiety. OCD tends to lead a person to believe that anxiety means something bad is happening. The person will then feel compelled to do something to reduce the anxiety.

The distress resulting from it is present because people with OCD do not want to think the intrusive thought could actually be real. They have a hard time letting go of the thoughts so they will become consumed with worry that they may be as bad as their thoughts suggest. This thought process will lead to compulsive behavior that reduces anxiety temporarily.

Next Steps

A person who struggles with OCD will have a persistent struggle with anxiety. The thoughts that tend to ignite the OCD cycle will inevitably cause fear which will lead to anxiety. For more information about OCD anxiety please contact our office and connect with a local Christian counselor. Through a faith-based plan, a Christian counselor can help alleviate the intrusive thoughts which will reduce the anxiety related to OCD.