OCD explained for beginners - how I wish I was taught

How does the mind of someone with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) work and what can be done to treat this problem?

Contents:
0:00 - OCD stereotypes
0:54 - What is OCD?
2:30 - Neuropsychology of OCD
3:36 - OCD symptoms
5:20 - Do I have OCD?
6:50 - OCD treatment

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For information purposes only. Does not constitute clinical advice. Consult your local medical authority for advice. The information in this video was accurate as of the upload date, October 5, 2022.

If you or someone you know needs help immediately, you should take one of the following actions:
- go to your nearest hospital emergency room

[drali]

You are not your thoughts. They might be scary. That doesn't make them dangerous.

[beefbaby]

calling OCD the thief of time is a very accurate and smart description. I cannot tell you how many beautiful moments with my family I can only remember minutes of because the rest of that time I was inside my own mind doing compulsions.

[nysportsfan]

The worst part about OCD is the unwanted thoughts 😩

[bobbycul]

About 8 months ago out of nowhere, I got severe OCD as a 23yo male. I still can't believe what happened to me. I'm experiencing anxiety at levels that I never even knew a human being could experience. At first, I did not believe I had OCD because It had nothing to do with germs. Later I figured out it can be about anything. The lvls of pain and anxiety are completely unfathomable and illogical. A non-sufferer will never understand this. I'm forever thankful people like you are spreading the world about what OCD actually is about.

[donnavargas]

I was diagnosed with mild to moderate OCD. All I can say is my heart goes out to anyone with severe OCD.

[saravictoria]

I don’t know why, but hearing that it’s physical and not my fault made me cry. I really needed to hear that.

[bonniebrown]

I had almost debilitating OCD as a child. I hid my symptoms from my mom because I was afraid I was crazy. I washed my hands until the skin cracked and bled. I was miserable. For some reason my symptoms increased in intensity at night. I gradually improved by forcing myself think logically to stop nonsensical behavior. For instance, I’d want to flip that switch a second time, I’d stop, ask myself why, then tell myself my answer was unrealistic, and walk away. This often induced nausea, and sweating. But when I could overcome, each won battle made me better. I never saw a therapist, and actually didn’t even know I had a “condition” until I was about 20. I’m 41 now, and and when a stressful event happens in my life, my symptoms all start coming back and I have to fight all over again. I guess it’s a demon I’ll never be fully rid of.

[ocdandanxiety]

Great explanation of what OCD ACTUALLY is. 💜

[megallen]

i have ocd and i always lose so much respect when people joke about being so ocd to my face. Makes me feel so alone and small

[aidani]

While I still struggle with these thoughts, I want to make everyone aware that as I've gotten older I have learned overcome these intrusive thoughts and the anxiety that comes with them. Through time and practice you can overcome your OCD. You've got this!

[adamkowalski]

As someone with diagnosed OCD, I feel it's by far the best explanation I've ever seen. It has this "you're staring into my soul" effect to it. Great work!

[gotb]

As a licensed therapist myself, this is one of the best explanations of OCD. 👍

[psicologiajoseh]

As a psychotherapist who helps some patients with OCD, I have to say: magnificent overview! Congrats!

[ankra]

I have OCD since I was a young child. It is hellish. It makes you so exhausted both mentally and psychologically.

[alliemw]

It's doubt, incompleteness, intrusive thoughts, disgust, and it's very suggestive. It morphs into different obsessions and compulsions, sometimes without noticing. It's anxiety about being anxious. It steals precious time and fills the time that's left with shame and guilt. The irony is that no amount of compulsions will ever satisfy the obsessions.
I can't will myself to stop, but knew thing I've noticed is that food, chemicals, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, most of what I can tell that's related to histamine over-production or not breaking it down properly, seem to have biggest effect, good or bad.

[normalouis]

One of the worst compulsions I had involved making sure my bladder was 10000% empty, I'd use the bathroom, get up, and sit back down. I could not let myself sleep unless I thought my bladder was completely empty.

[EvilSnips]

Thank you for posting this. Whenever I talk about my OCD with friends or people I know, I am always met with 'Oh I do that too, ' or 'Oh I think I have OCD too' and it just feels so invalidating because I know they don't spend the majority of their every day thinking about ruminations, compulsions, and worrying about simple things. Yes, they may have 1-2 small behaviors but that does not mean they have OCD. They do not know what it is like to not be able to leave the bathroom without picking every inch of your skin or having a meltdown when someone sets your backpack on the ground. These are things I have struggled with almost my entire life and people saying 'Oh me too' when they really just want to have neatened pencils makes people like me with debilitating OCD really invalidated and sad. I appreciate your video saying that and I hope it gets more views.

[sumitin]

I have OCD...I'm on treatment...but it's really a zig zag road with treatment too... prayers fr all who r suffering....thanks a lot for making this video...good video

[icalledthevoiditwentvoicemail]

"your thoughts may be scary but they are not dangerous" is how i got through the suicidal part of my depression. It's a lesson i still take comfort in no matter what weird it stupid thing my brain might sometimes come up with. i wish this was talked about more.

[dracula-spits]

Ive come to describe my OCD as "I don't control my thoughts, my thoughts control me."