After sorting through hundreds of pages of information, I have pulled some OCD facts that I find easiest and most beneficial in helping to understand what OCD is. Along with these facts, I have listed my opinions and tidbits of my personal experiences regarding the information.

The percentage of individuals with OCD suffering from pure obsessions may be as high as 60%.

Through the many years that I have suffered from OCD, the most recent years have been filled me with mostly suffering from obsessions. Looking back into my childhood, I can see that the majority was filled with different compulsions that at the time I did not recognize to be Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I can testify that, although not physically viewable, obsessions can cause just as much distress and pain. Just because you do not have horrible compulsions DOES NOT mean that you couldn’t possible be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

 

Intrusive thoughts develop into obsessions not because of their content but because of the meaning individuals attribute to them.

After many sessions with my wonderful psychologist, I have come to the conclusion that many of the obsessions that I have, or even some that others have are not very irrational or farfetched. For instance, for a while I had an extreme fear of AIDS. I had this extreme fear of AIDS because while working with individuals with Mental Retardation, one of them had a cut and bleed on some furniture. As I started to clean up the blood, an obsession started to form. Even though I knew that I did NOT get any blood on my hand (even if I did the likely hood of getting AIDS is minute), I thought that I could have definitely transmitted the virus. Of course it is nothing but completely normal for individuals to have a fear of AIDS, but to those without OCD, that situation would be of no concern or of very less importance. Unfortunately,because I suffered from OCD, that situation caused great stress.

Many OCD sufferers attach too much importance to the content and presence of their thoughts, and erroneously believe that other people do not have intrusive thoughts.

Unfortunately, like many, when I first discovered I suffered from OCD I thought, “I am ALONE.” I cannot stress enough to those reading this that you are NOT alone in your suffering with OCD, let alone another mental disorder! It is very important that sufferers understand that they are not alone. Once understood, getting help, accepting their disorder, and being proud of who you are will flourish.

 

Obsessions generally are perceived as “disgusting” or unacceptable to the patients who experience them, and thus they often evoke fear and anxiety.

Regrettably, many affected by OCD find their obsessions so unacceptable that they continue to live and suffer because they are too embarrassed to seek out medical or any type of treatment. Usually through the different types of therapy or medications, the individuals are able to work through their fears.

 

OCD is a chronic disorder that waxes and wanes in response to environmental stressors.

I find this statement to be extremely valid. I find that my symptoms with OCD and anxiety become very strong around important, high-stress time periods. When I first started college, I found that my anxiety and OCD symptoms became present again. Fortunately, overtime, I have learned to become aware of the situation before it happens. Therefore,I am to practice meditation and techniques that help me get through those stressful times.

There may be a genetic factor when it comes to parents and their children having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Typically, obsessive compulsive symptoms begin in adolescence or early adulthood, although most patients report symptoms of anxiety and nervousness as children.

Regarding early development histories, many obsessive-compulsive patients report being reared in very strict puritanical homes.