Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders are a group of mental health conditions that share features of intrusive thoughts, repetitive behaviors, and difficulty resisting urges. These disorders can significantly interfere with daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life. While once grouped under anxiety disorders, they are now recognized as a separate category in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition).
Globally, these conditions affect tens of millions of people. For example, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) alone affects about 2–3% of the population during their lifetime. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can help individuals manage symptoms effectively.
Here are the main disorders in this category:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions). These behaviors are aimed at reducing anxiety but often bring only temporary relief.
Common Symptoms:
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
BDD involves obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance, even if they are minor or not noticeable to others. It often overlaps with anxiety and depression.
Symptoms:
Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding disorder is the persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of value. This leads to clutter that disrupts living spaces and daily functioning.
Symptoms:
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
Trichotillomania is characterized by recurrent pulling out of one’s hair, leading to noticeable hair loss. It often begins in childhood or adolescence.
Symptoms:
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
Excoriation disorder involves repetitive skin-picking that results in skin damage. Like trichotillomania, it is considered a body-focused repetitive behavior.
Symptoms:
Conclusion
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders including OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Trichotillomania, and Excoriation Disorder—are challenging conditions that can seriously affect quality of life. While each disorder presents differently, they share patterns of repetitive behaviors and difficulty controlling thoughts or urges.
The good news is that with evidence-based treatments such as CBT, habit reversal training, and SSRIs, many individuals see significant improvement. Raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting early intervention can help millions worldwide manage their symptoms and live healthier lives.
Globally, these conditions affect tens of millions of people. For example, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) alone affects about 2–3% of the population during their lifetime. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can help individuals manage symptoms effectively.
Here are the main disorders in this category:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions). These behaviors are aimed at reducing anxiety but often bring only temporary relief.
Common Symptoms:
- Obsessions: intrusive fears of contamination, harming others, or unwanted taboo thoughts
- Compulsions: repetitive cleaning, checking, counting, or arranging
- Spending excessive time on rituals, disrupting work or school
- Severe distress when unable to perform compulsions
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is highly effective.
- Medications: SSRIs (such as fluoxetine, sertraline) are commonly prescribed.
- Severe cases: Deep brain stimulation or other advanced therapies may be considered.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
BDD involves obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in physical appearance, even if they are minor or not noticeable to others. It often overlaps with anxiety and depression.
Symptoms:
- Constant checking in mirrors or avoiding them altogether
- Excessive grooming or seeking reassurance
- Comparing appearance with others
- Avoiding social situations due to shame
- CBT helps challenge distorted beliefs about appearance.
- Medications: SSRIs can reduce obsessive thoughts and anxiety.
- Cosmetic procedures usually do not help and may worsen distress.
Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding disorder is the persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of value. This leads to clutter that disrupts living spaces and daily functioning.
Symptoms:
- Difficulty discarding items due to fear of needing them later
- Accumulation of clutter to the point of blocking living areas
- Distress or conflict when others try to remove belongings
- Social isolation due to embarrassment
- CBT focused on hoarding can help challenge beliefs and encourage gradual decluttering.
- Medications like SSRIs may reduce symptoms in some individuals.
- In severe cases, professional organizers or community services may be involved.
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
Trichotillomania is characterized by recurrent pulling out of one’s hair, leading to noticeable hair loss. It often begins in childhood or adolescence.
Symptoms:
- Repeated hair pulling from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas
- Increasing tension before pulling and relief afterward
- Bald patches or thinning hair
- Shame, guilt, or attempts to hide the behavior
- Habit Reversal Training (HRT), a type of behavioral therapy, is the most effective.
- Medications such as SSRIs or N-acetylcysteine (a supplement) may help some individuals.
- Support groups can also provide encouragement.
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
Excoriation disorder involves repetitive skin-picking that results in skin damage. Like trichotillomania, it is considered a body-focused repetitive behavior.
Symptoms:
- Repeated picking at skin, scabs, or blemishes
- Difficulty stopping despite attempts
- Visible skin damage, scars, or infections
- Significant distress or avoidance of social activities
- Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and CBT are the main treatments.
- SSRIs or other medications may be prescribed in severe cases.
- Dermatological care may be necessary for skin healing.
Conclusion
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders including OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Trichotillomania, and Excoriation Disorder—are challenging conditions that can seriously affect quality of life. While each disorder presents differently, they share patterns of repetitive behaviors and difficulty controlling thoughts or urges.
The good news is that with evidence-based treatments such as CBT, habit reversal training, and SSRIs, many individuals see significant improvement. Raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting early intervention can help millions worldwide manage their symptoms and live healthier lives.
