Are OCD and Anxiety Related?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders are conditions that often share symptoms, but they're not the same. Anxious thoughts, feelings and behaviours can be a part of OCD, but they don't necessarily make up the entire experience of having Obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

OCD and anxiety disorders are distinct yet overlapping conditions

While OCD and anxiety disorders are distinct, they do share a few common symptoms. OCD is a disorder that causes obsessions (obsessive thoughts that are hard to let go of) or compulsions (a compulsive need to engage in certain behaviours) in people. These obsessions and compulsions may be related but not limited to concerns such as:

• Fear of germs or dirt; 

• Bodily rituals such as excessive hand washing; 

• Ordering items on a checklist like one might write down when shopping for groceries; 

• Mental rituals such as repeating certain words over and over again; 

• Checking things more than once before feeling satisfied with their condition even if the item was originally checked a couple of times. 

Also read - All That You Need to Know About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

On the other hand, Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), one of the most common conditions in the world, consists of intense worry about certain activities, even if it is routine work. In most cases, the anxiety is out of proportion to the actual situation. It is very difficult to control and may even affect people physically. 

Learn more about the signs of anxiety.

While both disorders can cause severe anxiety and stress, another major difference is that they affect different brain regions. In OCD, the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain where decisions are made), basal ganglia (responsible for muscle control) and thalamus (where information is stored) is affected. On the other hand, anxiety is majorly caused by dysfunction in the amygdala (where emotions are processed). 

Both anxiety disorders and OCD can cause very similar symptoms. This is because the thoughts that drive both conditions are often related to fear or worry about something that could happen at any time. 

Here are some expert tips on things to keep in mind while coping with OCD. 

How to get treated for OCD and anxiety

You may be wondering if you have OCD or anxiety. If so, it's important to get the right diagnosis and treatment. Your psychiatrist can help you decide whether or not your OCD symptoms are related to anxiety by asking questions about how much time you spend worrying about something, what happens when these worries become overwhelming, and how often they occur. This is just a snippet of what they would look for - they would also do a thorough analysis of other symptoms as well as a physical check up. 

If your psychiatrist thinks that your symptoms stem from an anxiety disorder or OCD, he or she will likely refer you for therapy with an experienced therapist. The goal of therapy is not only identifying specific ways in which the symptoms impact daily life but also developing strategies to manage it effectively—so that its effects don't negatively impact other areas of life. They will also teach you coping skills such as relaxation techniques to calm you down during difficult situations. Your therapist will also help you learn how to deal with your obsessive thoughts without acting on the compulsions, and improve the overall quality of your life. 

If you’re concerned about whether or not you have OCD, anxiety, or both, it is important to talk to your psychiatrist and therapist. Anxiety disorders and OCD can be treated separately, or together. If you are diagnosed with both, it’s possible that both might need both psychotherapy and psychiatry support to get optimal results.