Symptoms of Mild OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a disruptive anxiety disorder. Some patients may be so seriously affected by it that they cannot function. For others, however, the symptoms may be mild and cause few problems. Regardless of its intensity, OCD remains a troubling and harmful condition. The good news is that a qualified therapist can provide excellent help.

Obsession

OCD patients are troubled by intrusive, disturbing thoughts that appear seemingly out of nowhere. Some people become fixated on symmetrical numbers, while others worry about infectious diseases or have sudden thoughts about horrible things like pushing other people into traffic.

Compulsions

In many OCD cases, the patient develops ritualistic compulsions to help stem the anxiety of the intrusive thoughts. In the most serious cases, these rituals can last for hours and cause serious disruption. Mild OCD patients tend to have fewer, less elaborate rituals, if they have rituals at all. A mild OCD patient fearful of disease may simply appear unduly neat and tidy, while a severe patient may wash and scrub repeatedly, even though his home is sparkling.

Emotional Effects

The emotional effects of OCD vary with the severity of the case. A patient may suffer feelings of helplessness when confronted with the inability to control what's rushing through his mind; that, in turn, can lead to feelings of insecurity, anxiety and depression. In particularly serious cases, a patient may attempt suicide. Even for those with mild OCD, negative emotions and feelings of insecurity can lower their quality of life.

Body Concerns

OCD can lead to the development of various anxiety disorders. Eating disorders, for example, are not uncommon, with severe patients suffering from bulimia or anorexia. Mild patients may become excessively worried about their bodies or about illness.

Physical Tics

Physical tics tend to be a reflection of compulsive behaviors: less obvious in mild OCD patients, but still present. A tic is distinctive from a habit in that habits are not actively harmful, while tics often are. They can include pulling out hair, incessant scratching and inadvertent muscle spasms.