5 Common OCD Symptoms in Adults
Does it ever feel like you’re trapped in an endless cycle of ritualistic behaviors and rumination? Many people reach adulthood without realizing that their mental health struggles are not anxiety, but common symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This condition can go undiagnosed in childhood, and because OCD is widely misunderstood in popular culture, people can go years without receiving an accurate diagnosis and finding the support they need.
Learning about common symptoms of OCD and how they often manifest in adults can help people determine the roots of their own struggles and seek appropriate treatment. Here are a few prominent OCD symptoms in adults.
1. Repetitive Compulsions
Repetitive, compulsive behaviors are the most prominent OCD symptom in people of all ages. These compulsions are typically linked to specific fears that dominate the thoughts of an individual with OCD. For example, someone who is worried about exposure to germs or “contamination” might incessantly wash their hands, shower multiple times in a row, and clean their home from top to bottom, even if there is no visible dirt.
People might avoid certain places or situations due to their compulsions. They may feel embarrassed by their compulsions and try to hide them from their loved ones. Additionally, compulsions can be so severe they cause physical harm. For instance, someone could end up washing their hands until they bleed due to contamination fears.
2. Rearranging and Ordering Items
Reordering items frequently because they’re not “just right” is another common OCD symptom. People might carry out this compulsion at work or at home. Someone with OCD may feel irritated when things in their space are not “just right,” yet they don’t have the ability to change it. They might also frequently check on things to ensure they are placed “correctly,” even if they just moved the items.
3. Incessant Rumination
Most people with OCD turn to physical compulsions to find temporary relief from negative ruminations. After carrying out their compulsion, they may feel relaxed for a little while. Yet eventually, they begin ruminating again, and they feel like performing the compulsive behavior again is the only way to break free from these thoughts.
It’s worth noting that not everyone who has OCD deals with physical compulsions. Some people may engage in minor compulsions that are easy to overlook and don’t interfere much with their responsibilities. Others might not have physical compulsions at all. Their experience with OCD is solely characterized by rumination.
In this case, the repetitive, intrusive thoughts are the compulsions. People with this form of OCD may feel that ruminating on specific issues is the only way to protect themselves from certain anxiety-inducing scenarios.
4. Disturbing Thoughts
Some ruminations and thoughts linked to OCD, like wondering whether or not you left the stove on, can seem relatively benign. But even those “benign” thoughts can become deeply frustrating and distracting. Additionally, most people with OCD deal with negative thoughts about themselves and fears that they have harmed others. They may be afraid to stop engaging in compulsions because they worry that if they do, they’ll hurt someone.
5. Seeking Reassurance
Despite the shame that often surrounds obsessions and compulsions, people with OCD often feel the need to seek reassurance that they haven’t done anything wrong. They might feel the urge to “confess” what they’ve done to other people. But even if someone confirms that the person with OCD did not hurt anyone, they can feel compelled to confess again and again.
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Do you suspect you may be suffering from OCD symptoms? Working with an anxiety therapist can help you gain clarity. We invite you to reach out to schedule a free consultation with our practice.