Defining Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be difficult as it can overlap with ADHD, and is considered an anxiety disorder.  The clinical definition of OCD under the DSM 5 an obsession is the presence of obsessions, compulsions or both.  The term obsessions is defined by 1) have recurrent and persistent thoughts urges, or impulses that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted causing anxiety or distress.  2) The individual attempts to neutralize the thoughts, urges by performing a compulsion.

The term compulsions are defined as 1) Repetitive behaviours such as hand washing, ordering, checking or mental acts such as praying, counting, repeating words silently.  The individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.

These acts are meant to prevent or reduce anxiety or distress or prevent some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviours or mental acts are not connected in a realistic way and what is designed to neutralize anxiety or prevent anxiety become excessive.  An example of this would be a need to repeat tapping of your tooth brush starts with a one tap and increases to so many the task becomes difficult to perform.

In therapy the object is to have the individual recognize that obsessive-compulsive disorder beliefs are definitely or probably not true or that they may or may not be true,  however at times the individual thinks the beliefs are probably true or are completely convinced that the beliefs are true.  This then becomes a difficult task for both therapist and client on opposite paths.  At times the client is feeling frustrated and not heard or “I must be broken” thinking.  All of this is not very therapeutic towards the goal of healing.

There is a connection between methylation, and according to Walsh Institute 90% of OCD patients are under methylated, with low neurotransmission at serotonin and dopamine receptors. So I hope that leaves those suffering from this condition a little relief that it is all not about them changing their mind set, they are not broken and their is positive change that can happen.                                              

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