Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – DSM 5

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – DSM 5

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a real thing. It consists of a series of compulsions or urges a patient experiences that can be highly intrusive, oftentimes at the expense of their health. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. They can also be accompanied by the likes of guilt, shame and a general feeling of unease. Although the symptoms are not always indicative of a real medical condition, the presence of them is a good indicator that the patient is in the early stages of a mental illness.

There are numerous variants of OCD, but the common denominator is an obsession or compulsion to do something, such as a specific task. Other variations include anxiety or panic attacks, tics, obsessive compulsive disorder, and trichotillomania. For the nerds out there, the OCD can be classified as a complex disorder, or a relapsing complex disorder. In the latter, the symptoms are more pronounced, while the obsessive component is present in some patients.

The DSM has a number of OCD variants grouped in a single section, although there is room for more specialized categories. The most common of these is a pervasive obsession or compulsion to perform a particular action, such as checking the status of the phone or the TV remote. Other examples of OCD may involve the display of obsessive compulsive behavior, such as running over a partner or stalking a mate. If you think you have OCD, consult a doctor, who can make an accurate diagnosis.