Obsessive compulsive-disorder (OCD) is a common, yet debilitating mental health disorder that affects approximately one in every 40 adults and one in every 100 children. In Canada, one percent of the population will experience at least one OCD episode in their lifetime. While symptoms commonly arise in late adolescence to early adulthood, they can occur at any point in a person’s life.

October 13–19 is OCD awareness week. This week serves as an important opportunity, not only to learn more about the mental health disorder, but to recognize its aspects that commonly are misunderstood.
Two main features comprise the disorder: an obsession and a compulsion.
An obsession stems from an intense and unwanted thought that can arrive in intrusive images, thoughts, feelings, or impulses. These obsessions trigger strong emotional responses like fear, shame, or disgust. Everyone has obsessions from time to time. We all become preoccupied with studying for an exam or feel nervous about our physical health. In the context of OCD, obsessions tend to target sensitive topics such as violence, relationships, religion, memory, sex, contamination, and so much more.
Having obsessions does not mean constant excitement about something. Instead, obsessions target what someone values the most, and makes it terrifying. For example, someone with relationship OCD could be in a happy and healthy relationship, however, be terrified by intrusive images of breaking up with this person. Even though they love their partner, the obsession makes them question if they really do.
Because obsessions target a major value of an individual, its effects can send someone into the compulsion phase.
This is the latter half of OCD. A compulsion is the action of attempting to stop symptoms which only brings short-term relief. Compulsions can be physical and verbal. For example, if someone suffers from contamination OCD, they could be obsessed with potentially catching an illness in public. In this case, a compulsion could be to wash hands excessively or completely avoid going out in public.
A compulsion may also be mental. If someone suffers from harm OCD, they could obsess about the terrifying image or impulse of physically hurting another person. Since the obsession can be visual, they may engage in a thought-blocking compulsion. This can mean thinking of another topic or idea to try and stop thinking of this thought which rarely ever works.
OCD is a wide-ranging disorder. It used to be classified as an anxiety disorder, however under the DSM-5, it is now its own disorder with various subsets as mentioned earlier. This has allowed people with OCD to feel validated and recognized during this new era of acceptance.
Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is the most successful form of therapy for patients with OCD. By thinking of a feared situation or putting oneself in it, the brain is taught to stop associating it with danger. This is not instant, however 76 percent of patients using this have reported success if they complete treatment (13–20 sessions). Now that OCD is gaining more media attention, it will allow for people to seek help faster. This is critical because it takes an average of 14–17 years until someone receives a diagnosis.
One common misunderstanding is differences between intrusive thoughts and impulsive thoughts. Having intrusive thoughts have been viewed in pop culture as a funny and quirky event. Instead, it is the fuel for OCD and represents the opposite of someone’s values and desires. At any moment, intrusive thoughts arrive and spark an obsession. An impulsive thought is also a random thought, however, they are fast and do not allow for consideration of consequences.
A way to remember the difference is that intrusive thoughts are like intruders. They are scary and require action to stop. Impulsive thoughts are like a beating pulse because they happen at any moment and create urges without much consideration.
Even with OCD awareness week ending, it is important to recognize its impact on millions of people year-round. If you are affected or know someone who is affected, it is important to remember that recovery is possible, as long as we continue the conservation of OCD and learn more about it.