Obsessive, but not OCD
The everyday use of the word 'obsession' often differs from what is meant by obsession in OCD. For example, the media might describe a person who stalks a celebrity as obsessed. Someone who seems to talk non-stop about the new love in their life might be described as 'obsessed' by their friends. A person who spends most of their spare time on a hobby like plane-spotting might be described as obsession.
Obsessions in OCD
On obsession, in the world of OCD, is defined as a persistent thought, images, or urges that just pops in to your mind and triggers distress. These obsessions are frequent, unwanted, and difficult to control or get rid of. An example of an obsession might be an intrusive thought or an image about stabbing your baby. You experience this thought as very upsetting and try to push it out of your mind.
On obsession, in the world of OCD, is defined as a persistent thought, images, or urges that just pops in to your mind and triggers distress. These obsessions are frequent, unwanted, and difficult to control or get rid of. An example of an obsession might be an intrusive thought or an image about stabbing your baby. You experience this thought as very upsetting and try to push it out of your mind.
Obsessions in OCD are not, however, simply worries about real-life problems or distressing images, but are associated in the person's mind with the power to prevent harm occuring. Almost everybody experiences some of the intrusive thoughts or urges that people with OCD have (e.g. having the urge to push someone on to a railway track, or worrying that the gas tap on the cooker might still be on).
People with OCD, however, not only cannot ignore such thoughts but ascribe a different meaning to them. They believe that they have the pivotal power to cause harm or prevent bad things from happening (e.g, they believe they are dangerous when they think about pushing someone onto a railway track). Consequently, and this in turn means that the thoughts become more frequent and distressing so that, over time, they affect all areas of the person's life.
In OCD, then, obsessions have a special meaning, namely, that harm might occurs to oneself, a loved one, or another vulnerable person through what the person withn OCD might do or fail to do."Harm' here is interpreted in the broadest sense and includes mental suffering.
In OCD, then, obsessions have a special meaning, namely, that harm might occurs to oneself, a loved one, or another vulnerable person through what the person withn OCD might do or fail to do."Harm' here is interpreted in the broadest sense and includes mental suffering.
For example, some people with OCD find it difficult to articulate the meaning of their obsession; they just feel very anxious and may believe that they will go crazy, or that the anxiety will go on for ever and ever and endanger their mental or physical health. Individuals with OCD believe they can and should prevent harm from occuring, and this leads to trying too hard in the form of compulsions and avoidance behavior.
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