Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is often a term that is used casually and erroneously to describe someone who displays inflexibility in their thinking. OCD Is a serious mental health disorder in which the individual suffering with OCD experiences intrusive, unwanted, and recurrent thoughts, urges, or images. In order to combat the anxiety caused by these thoughts, the individual feels driven to engage in repetitive behaviours such as cleaning, checking, counting, and arranging. OCD is a time-consuming disorder that can cause serious disruption to social, academic, and family functioning.

In the same category as OCD, are disorders such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (preoccupations with perceived flaws in appearance), Trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), and Hoarding Disorder (distress with discarding/parting with possessions).

At the Anxiety Clinic of Central Alberta, we can help with diagnostic clarification, and help your child challenge the thoughts and behaviours associated with these disorders.