Anxiety vs OCD
Anxiety vs OCD – OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is a type of anxiety disorder. Find out where the line is between healthy anxiety and OCD and how to avoid crossing it.
Expert: J. Clive Spiegel, M.D. Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Transcript
Anxiety is a part of life. Everyone has worries and doubts at times. But, anxiety can actually help keep us alert and ready to react quickly when needed.
The difference between typical concerns about illness or finances, and habits like bedtime rituals or “cleaning day,” is that the anxiety is temporary and the routines typically flexible.
For people with OCD, constant anxiety and necessary rituals interfere with daily living. People with OCD become obsessed with their thoughts and fears. Driven to banish those troubling thoughts, they compulsively perform the same rituals again and again. Most people with OCD realize that their actions are unreasonable, but they can’t stop. And trying to ignore their thoughts and stop their rituals only increases their anxiety.
Last Modified: 2013-07-22
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
