Although OCD and anxiety are separate mental disorders, they are deeply connected because OCD essentially acts like a specific form of anxiety. The core of OCD is experiencing recurring, unwanted, and anxious thoughts (obsessions), which then causes anxiety.
Understanding how OCD is related to anxiety is crucial for getting the right treatment. Let's break down exactly how these conditions are linked and what sets them apart.
Key Differences Between OCD and Anxiety
While OCD and anxiety are linked, they're not the same thing. Here's how to tell the difference between them:
| Aspect | Generalized Anxiety | OCD |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Thoughts | Realistic worries about everyday concerns (money, health, relationships, work). | Intrusive, often irrational obsessions that feel foreign and unwanted. |
| Behaviour | No systematic rituals; responses vary | Rigid, patterned behaviors that feel impossible to resist |
| Core Focus | Exaggerated but realistic concerns and fears | Unrealistic fears; the person usually recognizes they're excessive |
| Relief Pattern | Reassurance or problem-solving provides temporary relief | Compulsions provide only brief relief, then the cycle repeats |
| Awareness | Generally aware of the concerns | Usually knows thoughts are irrational, but can't control them |
People with OCD usually recognize their thoughts are excessive, but that awareness doesn't make them easier to control. However, generalized anxiety can be comparatively easier to manage.
The table above shows a difference between OCD and anxiety.
Can You Have Both Anxiety and OCD?
Yes. You can have both anxiety and OCD; it's quite common for them to go hand in hand. Almost 33% to 75% of people suffer from both anxiety and OCD. The most common combinations include OCD with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder.
Why Do They Often Occur Together?
Anxiety and OCD occur together because they are "comorbid," meaning they frequently co-occur because they share the same biological real estate and psychological patterns.
The following are the primary reasons they often occur together:
Shared Genetic and Biological Wiring
OCD and GAD share similar genetic and biological factors. Both involve the CSTC (cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical) circuit. This is the part of the brain responsible for stopping or starting certain behaviors.
Both Have "Anxious Baseline"
If you have General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), your nervous system is in a state of high alert most of the time. When your brain is already on high alert, it is much more likely to "misfire" and produce an intrusive thought. This weird thought further triggers OCD behaviour patterns.
Both Conditions Avoid Emotional Uncertainty
Anxiety tries to solve uncertainty through worrying (mental rehearsal). OCD tries to solve uncertainty through compulsions (physical or mental actions). Because they both use the same survival strategy, they often feel the same.
What to Do if You Have Anxiety and OCD?
If you're wondering whether you have anxiety, OCD, or both, it's important to work with a mental health professional at Boston Neurobehavioral Associates who can do a thorough evaluation. Don't try to diagnose yourself based on online descriptions. A qualified therapist or psychiatrist can assess your specific symptoms and understand how they're impacting your life.
FAQs
How to Reduce Anxiety in OCD?
To reduce anxiety in OCD, you should take therapy and make some lifestyle changes. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a type of cognitive behavioral therapy, is the best option. Sometimes, mental health professionals suggest medications with therapy for better results.
What Triggers OCD Episodes?
OCD episodes are often triggered by specific situations or thoughts. For instance, changes in routine, like vacations or holidays, disrupt comfort and amplify obsessions about contamination, harm, or symmetry. Stressful events, reminders of past traumas, or even relaxation moments can provoke a rush of anxiety, which triggers OCD more.
Can Anxiety Cause OCD Like Symptoms?
Yes, Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD can show symptoms like OCD. While OCD has its own distinct symptoms, sometimes its symptoms can overlap. OCD stems from distinct obsessions leading to compulsions, while pure anxiety focuses more on diffuse dread.
Will OCD Anxiety Go Away?
Anxiety doesn't really go away on its own (without any medical intervention). Since it forms a self-perpetuating cycle of obsessions and compulsions, the patient should get therapy and other treatment routes to manage it.