What are the symptoms of OCD?

OCD symptoms are limited mainly to behavioural disturbances; however, because OCD is the symptom of an underlying anxiety disorder, sufferers can be presented with other anxiety symptoms.

OCD is a symptom of an anxiety disorder. Why? Because without the underlying anxiety disorder providing the 'framework of inappropriate fear' on which the sufferer builds their obsessions, OCD and its symptoms simply cannot exist.

OCD presents itself primarily as anxiety driven compulsions and obsessions which can be very visible or quite hidden. Visible compulsions include such actions as checking, cleaning or avoidance. Less visible OCD compulsions can be as simple as repeatedly humming tunes, counting in your head or playing subconscious word games.

Other examples of OCD driven symptoms experienced by sufferers can be very disturbing indeed; some people imagine performing harmful or sexual acts which they would never actually carry out, even things which concern harming people they love or committing obscene sexual acts - all of these driven by OCD.

Most of our clients feel embarassed to talk about their inappropriate thoughts and many anxiety sufferers who obsess about violent or sexual acts, even with people they care about are diagnosed with OCD. These are not symptoms of OCD, they are symptoms of anxiety disorders.

Anxiety sufferers who have been diagnosed with OCD tend to find themselves counting, obsessing, checking, playing word games etc. Be assured that these obsessive thoughts and actions are fuelled by an underlying anxiety disorder and nothing more. They are harmless, inappropriate and easily remedied by removing the core anxiety which causes them.

Whatever psychological OCD symptoms you experience or however the underlying anxiety affects you, please understand that they are fuelled by fear - inappropriate fear which you can eliminate permanently.