Understanding the Difference Between Obsession and Compulsion in OCD

Obsessions about Accidentally Causing Harm

This involves the constant anxiety over unintentionally injuring someone or something, for example, through a car accident, mistakenly poisoning food, failing to secure one's home, or inadvertently starting a fire.

Obsessions about Taboo Thoughts and Behaviors

These obsessions revolve around socially or morally unacceptable thoughts or impulses, including violent tendencies, undesired sexual thoughts about inappropriate subjects, or fears that normal actions are immoral.

Obsessions with Order and Symmetry

Those affected may need things to be arranged precisely or symmetrically, far beyond typical perfectionism. A slight misalignment can cause significant distress, leading to a compulsion to adjust until everything feels 'just right.'

Symptoms of these obsessions can manifest as a need for symmetrical organization, fear of forgetting crucial details, insistence on keeping items in specific arrangements or directions, and reluctance to discard things that might be needed in the future. Living with OCD can be incredibly challenging, as individuals struggle with unwanted thoughts and compulsions that they don't wish to act upon.

What are Compulsions?

These are the second part of obsessive-compulsive disorder. They are repetitive behaviours that a person uses intending to neutralise, counteract, or make their obsessions go away. People with OCD realise this is only a temporary solution. Still, they rely on the compulsion as a quick escape without a better way to cope. Compulsions can also include avoiding situations that trigger obsessions. Compulsions are time-consuming and get in the way of important activities that the person values.

Like obsessions, not all repetitive behaviours or “rituals” are compulsions. We must look at the function and the context of the behaviour; for instance, arranging and cataloguing books for eight hours a day isn’t a compulsion if the person works in a library.

Similarly, we can look at “compulsive” behaviours that wouldn’t fall under OCD if a person is oriented to details or like to have things neatly arranged. In this case, “compulsive” refers to a personality trait or something about yourself that one prefers or likes.

Compulsion Symptoms

Some typical compulsion examples that result from obsessions include the following;

• Brushing teeth repeatedly
• Excessive cleaning
• Arranging random objects in a systematic way
• Checking whether the doors are locked
• Checking whether the appliances are turned off

Themes of Compulsions

Compulsions in OCD manifest in various ways, with some common patterns being:

Mental Compulsions

Often referred to as thought rituals, mental compulsions can include activities like:

• Counting to a particular number
• Engaging in prayer
• Organizing thoughts or activities by making lists or assigning numbers
• Neutralizing a negative thought or image by substituting it with a positive one

Checking Compulsions

These compulsions are actions taken to alleviate fears about safety, accuracy, or health, such as:

• Reviewing tasks multiple times to confirm no mistakes were made
• Repeatedly verifying that doors and windows are secure
• Double-checking that appliances are turned off
• Frequent checks on one's body for signs of illness

Cleaning Compulsions

Driven by concerns over contamination or dirtiness, these compulsions lead to:

• Following strict and specific cleaning rituals
• Engaging in excessive personal hygiene practices
• Frequently washing hands
• Avoiding contact with people or certain objects to prevent contamination

Arranging and Repeating Compulsions

These compulsions entail:

• Placing items in precise arrangements or patterns
• Aligning objects so they all face the same way
• Executing specific bodily motions, like clapping, a set number of times
• Touching parts of the body in a certain sequence or repeatedly
• Carrying out tasks a specified number of times to ensure correctness or safety

These compulsion examples are attempts to manage the anxiety and distress caused by obsessive thoughts, though they often end up reinforcing the OCD cycle.

Other frequently observed compulsions include:

• Constantly seeking reassurance from friends, family, or religious leaders.
• Feeling compelled to repeatedly confess certain actions or thoughts.
• Actively avoiding situations or triggers that could lead to compulsive behaviors.

These actions, although intended to reduce anxiety, often perpetuate the OCD cycle.

What do Obsessions and Compulsions Look like Together?

In the context of OCD, sufferers typically encounter a persistent, obsessive thought, prompting them to engage in compulsive behaviour as a coping mechanism to alleviate the associated anxiety or stress.

The link between an individual's obsession and the compulsive act that follows can vary, not always being straightforward or predictable.

Below are some real-life examples of obsessions and compulsions, showcasing the diverse and intricate ways they manifest. This list is not exhaustive but aims to provide a clearer understanding of how these two aspects of OCD interact with each other and the significant impact they can have on daily functioning.

Examples of Obsessions vs Compulsions

People with OCD often experience obsessive thoughts followed by the urge to perform certain actions (compulsions) to ease their anxiety. While these actions may relate to the obsession, that’s not always the case. Below are some examples of obsession vs compulsion to illustrate this.

Examples of Obsessions

1. Anxiety over environmental contamination affecting personal health.

2. Fear that a baby might stop breathing during the night

3. Fear of causing harm due to not performing a specific action.

4. Anxiety over losing control and causing an accident.

5. Guilt or worry about not confessing sins or wrongdoings adequately.

6. Compulsive fear of job loss or bad luck caused by not following specific routines.

Examples of Compulsions

1. Excessive washing of hands whenever touching or thinking something has been touched.

2. Setting alarms to check on the baby every 30 minutes throughout the night.

3. Engaging in a ritualistic behaviour, like tapping or touching, to prevent imagined harm.

4. Performing physical actions to dispel the intrusive thought.

5. Creating detailed lists of perceived sins and engaging in repetitive confessions or prayers.

6. Following rigid routines, such as intentionally stepping on or avoiding cracks, to prevent adverse events.

These obsession vs compulsion examples highlight the distress caused by obsessive thoughts and the compulsive behaviours used to alleviate them, though only temporarily. For individuals dealing with these challenges, the right OCD treatment can help break the cycle.

Obsessive and Compulsive Features in Other Mental Health Disorders

Obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors are not exclusive to OCD; they can appear in several other mental health conditions, each with its unique focus and manifestations.

Depression and Obsessive Rumination

Depression can lead to persistent, obsessive thoughts about sadness, guilt, or worthlessness, often focusing on past regrets or perceived failures.

Anxiety and Persistent Worries

Anxiety disorders are characterized by ongoing, excessive worries about past actions and potential future disasters, leading to a state of constant apprehension.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

BDD involves an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one's physical appearance, often accompanied by compulsive behaviors aimed at hiding or fixing these flaws.

Obsessive Jealousy

This condition is marked by constant fears of a partner's infidelity, leading to compulsive behaviors like snooping or incessant questioning to alleviate these fears.

Illness Anxiety Disorder

People with this disorder obsessively worry about being or becoming seriously ill, engaging in compulsive behaviors such as symptom checking or avoiding germ-exposed places.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders involve obsessive thoughts about food, body image, and exercise, leading to compulsive eating habits or exercise routines in an attempt to control weight and appearance.

When to Seek Help for OCD Obsessions vs. Compulsions 

Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours can sometimes happen even when you don’t have an underlying mental health condition. Understanding the difference between obsession and compulsion can aid in finding the right OCD treatment approach. However, they are commonly linked to the vulnerability of having OCD. Suppose specific obsessions or compulsions upset you or a loved one, overwhelm you, or keep coming back. In that case, a therapist can offer guidance and support.

Overcome OCD Challenges with Expert Help at Cadabam’s

To sum up, experiencing obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions doesn't always indicate a mental health disorder, but they are frequently associated with OCD.

Our understanding of the brain and its thought processes is still evolving. It's comforting to know, though, that these patterns of thought usually aren't a cause for concern unless they disrupt your everyday activities or lead to ongoing distress.

Should you find yourself troubled, burdened, or persistently faced with certain obsessions or compulsions, seeking help from a therapist can provide valuable support and direction.

How Cadabams Can Assist You

Cadabams offers a supportive pathway for individuals grappling with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. If you are searching for a solution to your OCD problem, Cadabam’s can help you with its team of specialised experts. We have been helping thousands of people live healthier and happier lives for 30+ years. We leverage evidence-based approaches and holistic OCD treatment methods to help individuals effectively manage their condition. Get in touch with us today. You can call us at +91 96111 94949. 

FAQs

How does compulsion differ from obsession?

Compulsion refers to repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed in response to an obsession or, according to rigid rules, aimed at reducing distress or preventing a feared event. Obsession involves persistent, unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress or anxiety.

Can obsessions exist without compulsions?

Yes, obsessions can exist without compulsions. This is known as Pure Obsessional OCD, or “pure O,” where individuals experience obsessive thoughts without engaging in visible compulsive behaviours.

Is there treatment for obsessions and compulsions?

Yes, there are effective OCD treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and medication can be effective in managing symptoms.

How common are obsessions and compulsions?

Obsessions and compulsions are quite common, with OCD affecting about 2-3% of the population at some point in their lives. However, experiencing mild obsessions or compulsions without full-blown OCD is even more common.