OCD behavior can present in several different ways and you typically present both obsessive and compulsive behaviors. However, it is possible to only present with one or the other. This can lead to these behaviours taking a great deal of your daily time, causing other symptoms such as Anxiety (worrying about why you do these things) and depression (why you cannot gain control these behaviours).
Obsessive Symptoms can present as items such as:
- Contamination or dirt
- Needing things orderly and symmetrical
- Doubt and having difficulty tolerating uncertainty
Compulsive behaviours can present with symptoms such as:
- Washing hands until they become raw
- Checking doors and windows are locked repeatedly
- Counting patterns
- Repeating a phrase or word
- Demanding reassurance
For people suffering from OCD and Anxiety, simple interaction with everyday actions such as touching a doorknob can lead to thoughts of germs and excessive scrubbing/washing. In some cases, this is done so aggressively the skin becomes raw. This behaviours are exacerbated during times of high stress or anxiety.