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Are Unwanted Thoughts A Symptom Of OCD?

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Posted on Tue, 7 Jul 2015
Question: Are unwanted thoughts OCD?
A member of my family has OCD.
Unwated thoughts like seeing a knife and imagining what happens if you used it and nasty thought that enters and then goes?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
These thoughts can be labelled as Obsessions

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. If we go by definition of an Obsession then this is nothing but recurrent, repetitive, repugnant, dominating, distressing thought that persist in mind and is usually purpose less. In order to get rid of distress caused by obsession individuals do ritualistic behaviours which are called compulsions.

You have unwanted thoughts like on seeing a knife imagining that what will happen if you use it and this is uncontrollable thought. This can be labelled as obsession. But that doesn't mean that you have OCD. In OCD individuals have persisting obsessions and these produce impairment in social, personal and occupational functioning.

You have family history of OCD so best thing that can be done in such case is to get rid of these thoughts. Try to relax yourself and do relaxation exercises. With exercises your thoughts will reduce and you will not develop OCD.

Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care

Please feel free to ask again for more doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5192 Questions

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Are Unwanted Thoughts A Symptom Of OCD?

Brief Answer: These thoughts can be labelled as Obsessions Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. If we go by definition of an Obsession then this is nothing but recurrent, repetitive, repugnant, dominating, distressing thought that persist in mind and is usually purpose less. In order to get rid of distress caused by obsession individuals do ritualistic behaviours which are called compulsions. You have unwanted thoughts like on seeing a knife imagining that what will happen if you use it and this is uncontrollable thought. This can be labelled as obsession. But that doesn't mean that you have OCD. In OCD individuals have persisting obsessions and these produce impairment in social, personal and occupational functioning. You have family history of OCD so best thing that can be done in such case is to get rid of these thoughts. Try to relax yourself and do relaxation exercises. With exercises your thoughts will reduce and you will not develop OCD. Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care Please feel free to ask again for more doubts.