OCD

Diagnosis

OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder and is defined as the presence of recurrent obsessions (persistent thoughts, impulses or images) or compulsions (repetitive behaviour or thought patterns induced in an attempt to reduce anxiety) that are excessively time-consuming or cause marked distress or significant function impairment. These persons are aware that their symptoms are excessive (DSM-IV, 1994) and often experience these as egodystonic thoughts or behaviour.

The distress, dysfunctionality and pain associated with OCD are due, in large, to the egodystonic nature of the disorder. Patients know very well that their obsessions and compulsions do not make sense and they make some attempt to resist them at some point during the course of their illness. However, the urge to carry them out is often overwhelming. This discrepancy between the knowledge that such obsessions and compulsions are irrational and the overwhelming urge to perform them contributes to the immense anxiety associated with the disorder.