OCD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, is an anxiety disorder that affects millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, OCD can have a significant and detrimental impact on a person’s daily life, making it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks. In today’s article, we’re going to go over all the ways OCD can impact your life, and how Benjamin E. Lippmann’s psychiatry services in Lakeland, FL, may be able to help.
OCD: How It Affects Daily Life
OCD: How It Affects Daily Life
Obsessive Thoughts
Typically, people with OCD grapple with persistent and intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety, anguish, and other antagonistic emotions. These thoughts can take on many forms, such as extreme fear of germs, worries about the future, concern about harm coming to oneself or others, and more. Whatever they may be, these obsessions can cause the afflicted person to become overwhelmed and unable to focus on other tasks.
Compulsive Actions
Compulsions are behaviors that individuals with OCD engage in to reduce the anxiety caused by their obsessions. Compulsive actions can include things like meticulously counting objects, checking locks multiple times, handwashing excessively, or arranging and rearranging objects. They generally consume a lot of time and energy, which can be detrimental to the individual’s wellness in the long run.
Avoidance Behaviors
Those who struggle with OCD may also partake in avoidance behaviors in an attempt to relieve their stresses. If they feel like a certain person, place, or situation might trigger their intrusive compulsions, then they might start avoiding it altogether. This can lead to social isolation, which can further exacerbate the symptoms of OCD.
Constant Distress
OCD and its symptoms can cause noticeable distress, lowering a person’s quality of life. As a result, OCD may be accompanied by depression, severe anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and other serious conditions. If you or a loved one is experiencing these negative feelings or effects, it’s recommended that you seek professional help from a certified psychiatrist right away.
If you’re in the Lakeland area and you suffer from OCD, the professional psychiatric services from Dr. Benjamin E. Lippman may be able to help. Dr. Lippmann has years of experience helping patients with mental health disorders and uses a compassionate approach with research-backed treatments. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help — schedule an appointment today.
