Is OCD an Anxiety Disorder?

Both OCD and GAD share symptoms of thoughts that are unwanted which ultimately to stress and anxiety. However, this is not to say that that they are the same—and they can, and should be told apart from one another. 

What is OCD?

Obsessions are recurrent, unwanted, and persistent intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress or anxiety. They may attempt to ignore, suppress, or neutralize them by performing a compulsion. Compulsions are repetitive mental acts (such as praying or counting) or behaviours (such as checking and handwashing) that a person feels compelled to perform rigidly in response to the obsession.

Definition and Overview

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that involves distressing, intrusive, obsessive thoughts, which usually leads someone to do unwanted, compulsive physical actions, such as repeated safety checks or avoiding germs.

Symptoms of OCD

Some of the common OCD symptoms include:

• Thoughts, images, or urges unable to be controlled
• Desire to not have intrusive thoughts and feelings
• Experiences of a significant amount of discomfort, possibly involving fear, disgust, doubt, or a conviction that things must be done in a certain way
• Spending a lot of time focusing on these obsessions and engaging in compulsions, which interfere with personal, social, and professional activities

The Relationship Between OCD and Anxiety

OCD and anxiety can overlap. However, they are separate mental health conditions.

How OCD and Anxiety Interact

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) classified OCD as an anxiety disorder. However, the most recent edition—the DSM-5–TR—classifies OCD as a separate mental health disorder under the Disorder Class ‘Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.’ This section also includes body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, and a hair-pulling disorder called trichotillomania.

Differences Between OCD and Other Anxiety Disorders

The previous versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classified GAD and OCD as anxiety disorders. In the DSM-5, experts separated OCD and grouped it with related disorders under a new classification called Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. The current version (DSM-5-TR) still maintains this separation.

Causes of OCD and Anxiety

Similar to OCD, the exact causes of religious OCD are unknown. However, it can usually be brought down to three main factors: genetics, environment, and brain structure. 

Biological Factors

Genes are seen to play a role in both of these conditions. If one has a pre-diagnosed condition in the previous generations or siblings with the conditions, likely, one may also get it during their lifetime. 

Environmental Factors

Trauma in one’s childhood can also be a cause of OCD and Anxiety. It can end up causing neurological changes that can affect the person, which is why it is more important to get a psychiatrist to recommend other factors. 

Treatment Options for OCD and Anxiety

OCD and anxiety are treatable conditions and respond very well to treatments. A lot of the treatments may tend to overlap. 

Medications

Doctors typically prescribe serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to people with OCD but at much higher doses to see improvements than those prescribed to people with anxiety. However, they are also more sensitive to the side effects of the medications.

Therapy and Counseling

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is generally seen to be very effective for both OCD and Anxiety disorders. While both respond to CBT well, OCD treatment has a more specified treatment regimen, while treatments for anxiety disorders like GAD are broader and less specific. 

Lifestyle Changes and Coping Mechanisms

Eating healthy food and eating it regularly can help manage the symptoms. Steering clear of caffeine, the stimulant in tea, coffee, soda, and energy drinks. One also needs to be able to stick to their medication and get to their therapy appointment regularly. Getting a good amount of sleep, and avoiding alcohol can also help manage the symptoms. 

How Can I Support Someone with OCD and Anxiety?

A non-judgmental ear can make a great difference to the person going through religious OCD. One should consider being supportive in whatever little way they can. Not putting additional pressure on them can really make them feel more at ease. Being there with them, supporting them through their tough times, and just hearing them out—even subtly suggesting professional help can be valuable. 

Living with OCD and Anxiety

It is seen that people with both OCD and Anxiety experience severe anxiety, show avoidant behaviour, and may break into panic attacks. They may also exhibit social phobias, experience anxiety with no identifiable cause, and physical symptoms such as muscle tension, fatigue, insomnia, and even irritability.  

Daily Life and Management

Moving towards a life where there is enough time given to sleep and healthy eating is a good life management choice. Living one’s life in a routine way is also essential as the body then gets used to the natural rhythm of things. Avoiding/lessening the quantity of caffeine and alcohol that is consumed can make a huge difference. Other self-care methods of things such as meditation, yoga and breathing exercises also can help. 

Support Systems and Resources

Having a good support system can really help the individual. A non-judgmental ear can make a great difference to the person. Therapy is often indispensable to the treatment of OCD. In therapy, a person can learn to manage their anxiety in ways that don’t undermine their quality of life. 

Managing OCD with Cadabams

At Cadabam’s, we take our mental health very seriously, and we have the right kind of professionals who can make the healing process easier. With the right kind of treatment and facilities, one can see an effective diminishing of symptoms. Anyone experiencing symptoms of OCD should consider talking with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

FAQ

1. How can I manage symptoms of OCD and anxiety in daily life?

Moving towards a life where there is enough time given to sleep and healthy eating is a good life management choice. Avoiding/lessening the quantity of caffeine and alcohol that is consumed can make a huge difference. Other self-care methods of things such as meditation, yoga and breathing exercises also can help. 

2. What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental health disorder categorized by the presence of recurring obsessive thoughts and subsequent compulsive behaviours done to get rid of them. The cleaning type of OCD, sometimes misnamed Obsessive Cleaning Disorder, goes beyond a simple need to maintain a tidy, sterile environment. 

3. Is OCD considered an anxiety disorder?

The previous versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classified GAD and OCD as anxiety disorders. In the DSM-5, experts separated OCD and grouped it with related disorders under a new classification called Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. The current version (DSM-5-TR) still maintains this separation.

4. What is the difference between generalized anxiety and OCD?

The previous versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classified GAD and OCD as anxiety disorders. In the DSM-5, experts separated OCD and grouped it with related disorders under a new classification called Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. The current version (DSM-5-TR) still maintains this separation.