Pick a psychological condition that gets treated like an everyday problem, and you are bound to come up with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). People claim they have OCD if they like their clothing folded a certain way, don’t like their foods to touch on a plate, and many other everyday reasons. But the exact psychological condition runs far more in-depth, and most people end up seeking an OCD treatment center in Texas for professional help.

If you have ever wondered, “Do I have OCD?” it is best to get familiar with what OCD indeed looks like. Self-diagnosis with OCD is not as easy as some may seem to think.

ACTUAL SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT ANSWER: DO I HAVE OCD?

According to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, OCD is a disorder of the brain and a behavior disorder. The disorder is categorized as an anxiety disorder because many attributes of the condition stem from anxiety. Research done to date suggests that the condition is related to communication issues between the different areas of the brain. The true signs and symptoms of OCD are essential to know if you find yourself asking, “Do I have OCD?” Here is a look at some of the symptoms of OCD.

1. You Have Common Obsessive Thoughts

Obsessive thinking is the type of thinking that takes up your time so drastically that it’s hard to focus on other things. For the most part, the thoughts should occupy at least one hour of your time per day. The ideas can bring on a severe amount of distress or anxiety. Some examples of obsessive thoughts include:

• Fear of getting dirty or having germs on your body
• Thinking you will cause harm to yourself or bring harm to someone else
• Frequent thoughts of not having what you need
• Concerning not having something symmetrical will create ill fate
• Fearing doing something will bring bad luck

Likewise, some people have obsessive thoughts about particular images or actions. For instance, you may have OCD if you have intrusive sexual fantasies, violent thoughts, or immoral ideas.

2. You Have Compulsive Behaviors Related to Obsessive Thoughts

If your obsessive thoughts lead to compulsive behaviors you can’t seem to control, you could have OCD. The compulsive behaviors are most often out of the norm; they tend to hinder your ability to live a healthy life or follow a typical routine. Repeatedly checking on someone, regularly double-checking locks, incessantly cleaning, or washing your hands—all of these are examples of compulsive behaviors. Some people with OCD have compulsions to count, arrange, repeat things, or to participate in “rituals” of some form.

3. Your Obsessive Thoughts and Compulsions Interfere with Everyday Life

On some level, everyone has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors; this is perfectly normal. For example, someone may think about germs a lot, so they work diligently to keep things clean. However, there is a line between normal and abnormal that is crossed when someone has OCD.

In the example above, the individual may be so afraid of germs that they can’t go to work, be around others, or stop cleaning when it is senseless to continue. If your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors frequently interfere and prohibit you from living a normal life, it could be a symptom of OCD.

Find Out If You Have OCD By Talking to a Professional at Santé Center for Healing

OCD can impede upon your ability to live a normal life, but it doesn’t have to. At Santé Center for Healing, multiple levels of service are provided for individuals with co-occurring OCD and addiction, including:

• Individual counseling
• Dual-diagnosis treatment
• Family therapy
• Inpatient treatment

Overcoming OCD can be the key to overcoming a substance abuse problem. Reach out to Santé Center for Healing at 866.238.3154 for more information about OCD and addiction.