OCD and General anxiety disorder

How OCD Is Often Misdiagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder

Mental health is a big problem in our society today. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people have a mental illness, but most people don't get treated for it.

OCD is often misdiagnosed as a general anxiety disorder. This is because many of the symptoms of OCD are similar to those of GAD. However, some key differences between the two conditions can help you determine which one you may have. This post will explore the similarities and differences between OCD and GAD and how to get an accurate diagnosis, which should be carried out by a licensed professional.

What is OCD?

OCD is a condition characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions. If these thoughts and behaviors are not managed properly, they can lead to severe depression. To manage them effectively, sufferers must follow certain rituals to prevent obsessive thoughts from taking over their lives. The compulsions can be anything from repeatedly washing hands to excessively checking things.

It is important to note that there are a variety of other disorders that also include obsessive thinking patterns, like:

● Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

● Body Dysmorphic Disorder

● Avoidant Personality Disorder

● Social Anxiety Disorder

● Generalized Anxiety Disorder

● Schizophrenia

● Bipolar Disorder

● Major Depressive Disorder

● Psychosis

And many more!

However, it is crucial to understand that OCD differs from all other disorders. When obsessive thoughts begin to take over a person's life, they develop what is known as "obsessive thinking." These thoughts are often irrational, leading to the sufferer experiencing obsessions and compulsions.

To properly diagnose OCD, a professional needs to identify whether or not the obsessive thoughts are realistic and whether or not the compulsions are necessary.

What Is General Anxiety Disorder?

General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive worrying. Many people have anxiety over finances, work, social situations, health or school.

GAD is considered an anxiety disorder not due to a medical condition. However, it can be linked to many things, including physical health issues, medications, environmental factors, and genetics.

If you have GAD, you might experience the following:

● Anxiety

● Irritability

● Fatigue

● Nervousness

● Trouble concentrating

● Fidgeting or being restless

● Feeling worried or on edge.

● Sweating

● Muscle tension

● Being easily upset or irritable

● Loss of interest in hobbies

● Not wanting to do certain activities.

● Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

● Feeling like you are in a fog all day long.

What Are the Differences Between OCD and General Anxiety Disorder?

1. Behavior

Compulsions are the main behavioral distinction between OCD and GAD. When faced with anxiety, those who suffer from OCD may resort to obsessive rituals, but those who suffer from GAD may not. 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the practice of compulsions, which are systematic activities performed by a person to alleviate the anxiety generated by an obsession. These compulsions develop from the false assumption that engaging in the action would prevent some undesirable consequence.

 For example, some people take extreme measures to avoid spreading germs, such as frequent and repetitive washing. 

People with GAD may worry excessively and look for confirmation from others. Though they may experience anxiety, they normally do not turn to repetitive or obsessive actions to alleviate it.

2. Thoughts

The distinctive patterns of thinking associated with GAD also set it apart from OCD. The main difference is deciding whether these mental processes constitute concern or obsession.

3. Worry

Those who suffer from GAD are more likely to fret about legitimate issues. However, even if these are valid concerns, your level of worry is extreme.

Trivial, everyday worries, like making a job report or not knowing what one's timetable would be like, may add up to a significant amount of anxiety, just as easily as worries about significant life difficulties like health, money, or relationships. 

The type of chronic anxiety that satisfies the criteria for a diagnosis of GAD is constant and beyond power; it often involves catastrophizing or anticipating probably the most disgusting possible consequence and may also entail other behavioral patterns.

4. Obsessions

Compared to generalized anxiety disorder, however, the extent of these impulses goes much beyond the typical troubles of daily life. The inability to regulate one's obsessive thoughts is a characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder. 

For instance, a person with OCD could think that to pass a test, they must organize the things on their workstation in perfect alignment and count them repeatedly. Another example is a parent who has OCD and thinks they need to speak a particular statement over and over to protect their kids.

What Makes OCD and GAD Treatment Different

CBT is effective for OCD and GAD. However, the methods employed to treat the former may be somewhat different. That's the case, for instance:

Neurocognitive Retraining

Cognitive restructuring is a method that may help persons with GAD; it entails recognizing anxious thoughts, reevaluating them, and shifting one's viewpoint.

Preventing Exposure and Reactions

The most effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a subset of cognitive behavioral therapy known as exposure and response prevention. Using principles from exposure treatment, this method progressively introduces the person with OCD to the stimuli that often elicit an anxious reaction. As a result, the emotional reaction to terror diminishes over time.

How Harmful Is It to Misdiagnose OCD with GAD?

If you are misdiagnosed with OCD when you really have GAD, you might not get the help you need. The wrong treatment for your condition could worsen your symptoms or make them worse and vice versa. Also, if you are misdiagnosed with GAD, you might not be treated, and the condition could continue to be severe.

How It's Important to Get the Right Diagnosis If You Have OCD?

It's imperative to get an accurate diagnosis for any mental health condition. A misdiagnosis could cause you to go through unnecessary stress and pain. There are two main ways to get an accurate diagnosis: (i) seeing a mental health professional such as an OCD therapist in NJ and (ii) getting yourself to the right place at the right time.

Get Your OCD Treated With Therapy at Dana

If you are based in New Jersey, you should get to the right place, like Therapy at Dana. A new jersey therapist trained to deal with OCD can help you get the treatment you need to overcome this problem.