obsessive compulsive behaviors
obsessive compulsive symptoms
A person struggling with these symptoms experiences obsessions and/or compulsions
Obsessions are usually characterized by
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Frequent intrusive and unwanted thoughts, urges or images which cause anxiety and/or stress
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These thoughts, urges or images are usually suppressed by another thought or action
Compulsions are usually characterized by
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Uncontrollable repetitive behaviors (e.g. hand washing, ordering, checking etc) or mental acts (e.g. praying, counting, repeating words silently)
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The repetitive behaviors and mental acts are often used to lower one's anxiety of dreaded events
People struggling with obsessions and compulsions are often unaware of the associated reasons
Body dysmorphic symptoms
A person struggling with body dysmorphic symptoms, may experience the following
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Persistent pre-occupation with flaws in physical appearance that are slight or unobservable by others
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This pre-occupation is usually followed by repetitive behaviours (e.g. mirror checking, excessive grooming, skin picking, self or external reassurance etc.)
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Persistent mental acts in response to perceived physical flaws (e.g. Constantly comparing oneself to others, etc.)
hoarding symptoms
A person strugging with hoarding symptoms, may experience the following
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Persistent difficulties with getting rid of or parting with materialistic possessions regardless of their value
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Discarding items often causes him or her anxiety
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Inability to discard items often results in cluttered living spaces and compromised use of the item
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling) symptoms
A person struggling trichotillomania symptoms, may experience the following
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Frequent and uncontrollable pulling out of his or her hair resulting in hair loss
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The hair pulling behavior is usually accompanied by repeated and unsuccessful attempts to stop the behavior
excoriation (skin picking) symptoms
A person struggling with excoriation symptoms, may experience the following
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Frequent and uncontrollable skin picking which often results in skin lesions
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The skin picking is usually accompanied by repeated and unsuccessful attempts to stop the behavior