Is OCD a type of anxiety?

OCD is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Other common types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder.

What happens if OCD is left untreated?

Like any other mental illness, if patients with OCD do not receive appropriate treatment, they may have higher chances of experiencing negative consequences of OCD, which are detrimental to them and their family members. Common consequences would be disrupting daily social functioning, reducing the quality of life, causing an emotional burden in caregivers of OCD patients and functional impairment like increased use of healthcare services and lower quality of life.

How do you check if you have OCD?

For a brief diagnosis, you may check if you are at risk of OCD using the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory. However, it is recommended that if you suspect you have OCD, you should speak to your general practitioner, who should be able to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further assessment.

What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?