Diagnosis

So how exactly does one get diagnosed with this particular disorder? And additionally, what other disorders does OCD tend to bring along with it as baggage?

Problem? What problem?

• To be diagnosed with OCD, one must meet specific criteria just like any other disorder; a person must...
• 1. experience recurrent intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images that cause anxiety or distress and interfere with daily life
• 2. show a lack of enjoyment from acting on impulses
• A person can be diagnosed by any licensed mental health professional
• Usually OCD sufferers are diagnosed around age 19 with symptoms present during childhood

Typically mental health professionals go down a list of questions when diagnosing a person with OCD to essentially "survey" what it's like for that particular person, seeing how much time per day they waste due to their symptoms. It's extremely helpful to keep in mind the severity of symptoms and impairment before and during treatment. There also exists certain rating scales, such as the most trusted Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Psychiatric consultation can be more appropriately determined due to the scale's standardized nature.

Comorbidity

• OCD can be diagnosed with many other conditions such as depression or GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
• Individuals experience panic attacks, insomnia, or delayed sleep phrase syndrome at higher rates than the general public
• People with OCD may feel depressed because of "not being in control"
• Though exact numbers are unclear, an estimated 50% of patients experience suicidal thoughts and around 15% have attempted suicide