Do you know what OCD is? It stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder, and it is a mental illness that affects millions of people all over the world. People with OCD experience intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that interfere with their daily lives. While most people think of OCD as being characterized by excessive cleanliness or checking things multiple times, there are many different types of compulsions. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 weird and wacky OCD compulsions that you may not have heard of before.
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What Does ” OCD Compulsions” Mean?
OCD compulsions are repetitive, irrational behaviors or thoughts driven by fear and anxiety. Common compulsions include extreme cleanliness, counting, ordering items in a particular way, and repeating certain words or phrases. While some people may experience mild obsessions, others can become completely consumed by their OCD symptoms. When these compulsive behaviors become excessive, they can interfere with daily life and cause significant distress and discomfort.
OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) performs to alleviate the anxiety caused by their obsessions. Common compulsions include washing hands excessively, counting, checking doors or appliances multiple times, and organizing items.
The signs of OCD are unique to each person, which means the compulsions they have can be just as varied. Also, many of these compulsions are not widely known or talked about, making them even more bizarre.
Different OCD Compulsions
The OCD cravings we are going to discuss here involve some of the weirdest and most unique behaviors that people with OCD can experience.
Fear of Being Insane
Many people with OCD are afraid of becoming insane or crazy, so they often do bizarre things to prove their sanity such as walking backward or repeating certain words over and over. One of the most common of these is counting the number of steps they take or checking if a door is locked. When they feel they have proven their sanity, they can move on to other tasks.
Doing Things in Threes
People with OCD may believe that something bad will happen if they don’t do certain things three times or make sure that every task is done perfectly three times before stopping. This compulsion often results in spending much more time than necessary doing mundane tasks such as brushing teeth or writing a simple note. Some people even feel the urge to say certain words or phrases three times.
Re-Checking and Counting
People with OCD often have an irrational fear that something bad will happen if they don’t check or count certain things a certain number of times. This can manifest as re-checking door locks multiple times before leaving a house, counting steps while walking, or obsessively checking the time on their watch or clock. They may also re-check items such as light switches and oven knobs before going to bed at night.
Touching Objects in a Particular Order
Some people with OCD compulsively touch objects in a particular order or pick up objects and then put them down in specific ways. For example, someone might open the refrigerator, take out a bottle of ketchup, open the lid, and put it back in the same order. They may even count how many times they touched an object or pick up something and put it down multiple times before moving on to the next task.
Avoiding Certain Numbers
People with OCD may have an irrational fear of certain numbers or symbols so they may go to extreme lengths to avoid them such as not stepping on cracks in the sidewalk or counting steps in orders other than ascending numerals. For example, someone might count one, three, five, or seven instead of one, two, three, or four.
Constant Cleaning
Although many people like to keep their homes clean and tidy, for people with OCD this can become an obsession. They may compulsively clean and re-clean the same area multiple times, or take hours to make sure that everything is in its place before they can rest. When this compulsion becomes excessive, it can interfere with daily life and cause stress and exhaustion.
Mental Rehearsals
People with OCD often have an irrational fear of doing something wrong, so they may obsessively rehearse tasks in their heads before doing them. This could involve going over a conversation in their head multiple times or thinking through a task before actually beginning it. They may also mentally rehearse any actions they take to make sure they are correct or safe.
These weird and wacky OCD compulsions can be disabling if left untreated; however, seeking professional help is the first step toward recovery. With appropriate treatment, people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder can learn to manage their symptoms and lead more fulfilling lives.
How Does OCD Compulsion Impact Someone?
Impacts of OCD compulsion can vary from person to person but often result in significant impairment of functioning, and the inability to lead a normal life. Those who suffer from OCD compulsions may experience intrusive thoughts that cause fear and anxiety. When these thoughts persist for long periods, it is considered a disorder. Common impacts include :
Avoidance Behavior
One of the most common impacts of OCD is the avoidance of situations, places, and people that may trigger intrusive thoughts. People may also hesitate to engage in activities or carry out tasks for fear of making a mistake. Also, they may avoid any kind of uncertainty, as it may create anxiety or confusion.
Repetitive Behaviors
Compulsive behaviors such as hand washing, counting, and checking are often seen in people with OCD. These actions can become so ingrained that they interfere with daily activities, making it difficult to get things done on time. The repetition of these compulsions may provide a temporary sense of relief or security but ultimately serve only to reinforce the disorder.
Worry Over Mistakes
People with OCD often have an intense fear of making mistakes which causes them to worry excessively about their performance in all aspects of life. This may lead to procrastination or the avoidance of tasks altogether for fear of doing something wrong or not meeting standards set by themselves or others.
Inability to Make Decisions
People with OCD may find it difficult to make decisions due to their excessive worrying and fear of making mistakes. They may also feel overwhelmed by the choices available, as this could lead to an increase in anxiety. This can be particularly challenging when it comes to important decisions such as career paths or relationships.
Time-Consuming Rituals
Compulsive rituals can take up large amounts of a person’s time and energy. In addition, these behaviors often become more elaborate over time, further hampering progress in other areas of life. Also, people with OCD may feel ashamed of their behaviors or be embarrassed to talk about them, which can further isolate them from others.
Emotional Problems
The effects of OCD can create emotional distress and lead to depression, low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, and anxiety. In addition, the compulsions associated with the disorder can interfere with a person’s ability to form meaningful relationships. The severity of these issues depends on how much time and energy you need for performing rituals and avoiding situations that trigger intrusive thoughts.
How To Manage OCD Compulsions?
Managing OCD compulsions is an ongoing task, but one that can be done with the help of a physician or mental health professional. If you are struggling to manage your compulsive behaviors, here are some tips that may help:
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness can help reduce anxiety and provide you with tools to recognize when your thoughts and feelings have become too overwhelming. The practice of mindfulness helps you become aware of your thoughts without judgment and can help manage the intensity of intrusive OCD thoughts.
Identify Triggers
By understanding what triggers your compulsions, you can better prepare yourself for when they come up. Keeping a journal to write down situations, conversations, or events that have triggered a compulsion is a helpful way to identify patterns in your behavior.
Connect with Others
Seeking support from family and friends who understand your condition can be very beneficial in managing compulsive behaviors. Joining an online support group or attending therapy sessions focused on OCD can also provide much-needed relief and validation while helping you build coping skills.
Distract Yourself
When faced with obsessive thoughts or urges, distract yourself by focusing on something positive. Doing a hobby or activity that takes away your attention from your thoughts can help you to refocus and reduce anxiety levels.
Challenge Negative Thinking
When intrusive OCD thoughts come up, take a step back and rationally challenge them. Ask yourself if what you’re thinking is true or based on false assumptions. By objectively questioning the thoughts, you can better understand how to manage them and gain control over compulsions.
Seek Professional Help
Seeing a mental health professional is one of the best ways to learn how to effectively manage compulsive behaviors associated with OCD. A therapist can provide guidance, support, and strategies for tackling obsessive-compulsive symptoms head-on.
By following these tips, you can take steps to manage your OCD compulsions and find relief from the symptoms. With the right support and dedication, you can work towards a happier, healthier life.
Conclusion
OCD compulsions have a wide range of impacts on individuals suffering from the disorder including avoidance behavior, repetitive behaviors, worry over mistakes, inability to make decisions, time-consuming rituals, and emotional problems that affect relationships. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available to help those struggling with OCD compulsion to manage and eventually overcome their symptoms. With the right support, individuals can begin to lead more productive lives and gain greater control over their thoughts and behaviors.
For more information and guidance, please contact OCDMantra. OCD is a mental health disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions. If you have any queries regarding OCD treatment, ERP therapy experienced therapists at OCDMantra can help: Book a trial OCD therapy session.
