Common Uncontrollable Thoughts Affecting OCD Sufferers

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that a person feels compelled to perform. These thoughts and behaviors can cause significant distress and interfere with a person's daily life.

Common Uncontrollable Thoughts in OCD:

1. Aggressive or Violent Thoughts: Fear of harming oneself or others, such as thoughts of stabbing or strangling someone.
2. Sexual Thoughts: Unwanted sexual images or thoughts, such as thoughts of engaging in sexual acts with children or strangers.
3. Religious Thoughts: Fear of committing blasphemy or offending God, such as thoughts of cursing or making sacrilegious jokes.
4. Contamination Thoughts: Fear of being contaminated with germs or dirt, such as thoughts of contracting a deadly disease or being poisoned.
5. Symmetry and Order Thoughts: Need for things to be arranged in a certain way, such as thoughts of needing to have all the cans in the pantry lined up perfectly.
6. Checking Thoughts: Repeatedly checking to make sure that something is done correctly, such as checking to make sure the door is locked or the stove is turned off.

Coping with Intrusive Thoughts:

• Accept the Thoughts: Try to accept that the thoughts are just thoughts and that they do not reflect your true values or beliefs.
• Don't Fight the Thoughts: Trying to fight or suppress the thoughts will only make them stronger.
• Distract Yourself: Find ways to distract yourself from the thoughts, such as listening to music, watching a movie, or spending time with friends.
• Seek Professional Help: A therapist can help you understand your OCD and develop coping mechanisms for dealing with intrusive thoughts.

Medication for OCD:

Medication can also be helpful in treating OCD. Some commonly used medications include:

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): These medications help to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can help to reduce anxiety and obsessive thoughts.
• Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): These medications work similarly to SSRIs, but they also affect the levels of norepinephrine in the brain.
• Tricyclic Antidepressants: These medications are older than SSRIs and SNRIs, but they can also be effective in treating OCD.

If you have OCD, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand your disorder and develop coping mechanisms for dealing with your symptoms. Medication can also be helpful in treating OCD.