obsessive compulsive behaviors
obsessive compulsive symptoms
A person struggling with these symptoms experiences obsessions and/or compulsions
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Obsessions are usually characterized by
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Frequent intrusive and unwanted thoughts, urges or images which cause anxiety and/or stress
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These thoughts, urges or images are usually suppressed by another thought or action
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Compulsions are usually characterized by
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Uncontrollable repetitive behaviors (e.g. hand washing, ordering, checking etc) or mental acts (e.g. praying, counting, repeating words silently)
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The repetitive behaviors and mental acts are often used to lower one's anxiety of dreaded events
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People struggling with obsessions and compulsions are often unaware of the associated reasons
Body dysmorphic symptoms
A person struggling with body dysmorphic symptoms, may experience the following
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Persistent pre-occupation with flaws in physical appearance that are slight or unobservable by others
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This pre-occupation is usually followed by repetitive behaviours (e.g. mirror checking, excessive grooming, skin picking, self or external reassurance etc.)
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Persistent mental acts in response to perceived physical flaws (e.g. Constantly comparing oneself to others, etc.)
hoarding symptoms
A person strugging with hoarding symptoms, may experience the following
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Persistent difficulties with getting rid of or parting with materialistic possessions regardless of their value
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Discarding items often causes him or her anxiety
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Inability to discard items often results in cluttered living spaces and compromised use of the item
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling) symptoms
A person struggling trichotillomania symptoms, may experience the following
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Frequent and uncontrollable pulling out of his or her hair resulting in hair loss
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The hair pulling behavior is usually accompanied by repeated and unsuccessful attempts to stop the behavior
excoriation (skin picking) symptoms
A person struggling with excoriation symptoms, may experience the following
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Frequent and uncontrollable skin picking which often results in skin lesions
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The skin picking is usually accompanied by repeated and unsuccessful attempts to stop the behavior