Low stress jobs For many people with OCD, fast-paced and high-pressure jobs can be a source of stress and anxiety. Jobs like research analyst, data entry clerk and delivery driver are typically low-stress roles.
The healthcare industry is an excellent fit for individuals with OCD. Many healthcare roles require a strong attention to detail and precise execution of tasks. For example, jobs like nursing or laboratory work require individuals to be meticulous with their work and pay close attention to detail.
The severity of OCD symptoms differs from person to person. While one person might manage their symptoms well, it can be more overwhelming for others. Some people with OCD might find employment extremely difficult. There are a number of treatments that can make it easier to manage work while you have OCD.
Foods containing sugar
It is well-recognised that consuming a lot of sugary foods and drinks — such as soda, candy, chocolate, fruit drinks, desserts and other sweets — can cause blood sugar fluctuations. The “sugar high” triggers OCD symptoms like exhaustion, mood swings, and anxiety neurosis.
However, one thing that is clear is that comorbidities, stress, anxiety, and major life changes or circumstances can all play a significant role in how much worse OCD might become. As symptoms increase or intensify, people with OCD may also experience the following: Failure at work and/or school.
The two main treatments for OCD, medication and talk therapy, can be very effective for relieving OCD. 13 Medications can help relieve symptoms of OCD, and talk therapy can help people learn to manage OCD thoughts and learn to better tolerate feelings of distress.
Primarily obsessional OCD has been called "one of the most distressing and challenging forms of OCD." People with this form of OCD have "distressing and unwanted thoughts pop into [their] head frequently," and the thoughts "typically center on a fear that you may do something totally uncharacteristic of yourself, ...
Rates of OCD were found to be higher with women (1.8%) than men (0.5%). Childhood OCD has a stronger genetic link than adult-onset OCD, with up to 65% having a genetic link. About 25% of men with OCD develop their symptoms prior to the age of 10.
Within the US, 1.2% of the adult population (or two-to-three million adults) is thought to face this condition, in addition to 500,000 US children. The APA's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which focuses on the US population, finds that women are affected by OCD at a slightly higher rate than men.
Though many people might hold off on sharing their condition while it's manageable, the EEOC also states that waiting until your OCD starts to interfere with work isn't always the way to go. Instead, requesting an accommodation before any problems at work occur or become worse could be the best approach.
In the long term, living with OCD can be tiring — especially if you're trying to hide it from family, friends, and coworkers — and frustrating if it prevents you from partaking in and enjoying everyday activities. For some, the anxiety and upset can snowball into panic attacks.
Just like everyone else, people with OCD excel in a wide range of jobs and workplaces. What might be right for one person might cause anxiety or stress for another. A person with OCD might succeed in a typically challenging role when they have the right support and accommodations.
If you have OCD, you can undoubtedly live a normal and productive life. Like any chronic illness, managing your OCD requires a focus on day-to-day coping rather than on an ultimate cure.
People who struggle with OCD may develop substance abuse issues or other unhealthy coping mechanisms in an attempt to combat the intense feelings that OCD causes. Relationships with loved ones can be strained. School and work can be negatively impacted, and some may even drop out or quit.
OCD has peaks of onset at two different life phases: pre-adolescence and early adulthood. Around the ages of 10 to 12 years, the first peak of OCD cases occur. This time frequently coincides with increasing school and performance pressures, in addition to biologic changes of brain and body that accompany puberty.
Harm OCD. Harm OCD causes people to be deeply disturbed by the violent thoughts that just about everyone has experienced. While most people are able to shrug off these thoughts, those with harm OCD can become completely overwhelmed by them.
OCD is chronic
You can get it under control and become recovered but, at the present time, there is no cure.
It's what is called “pure-O” OCD, in that there are no observable ritualistic behaviors such as checking or hand washing. The most common horrific thought is that of impulsively harming someone. Sufferers may be afraid that they will stab or shoot someone, commit suicide, or molest a child.
Symptoms fluctuate in severity from time to time, and this fluctuation may be related to the occurrence of stressful events. Because symptoms usually worsen with age, people may have difficulty remembering when OCD began, but can sometimes recall when they first noticed that the symptoms were disrupting their lives.
Practice Mindfulness
It often involves techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help your mind relax. Rather than stopping intrusive thoughts, mindfulness challenges you to acknowledge them for what they are – just thoughts – without acting on them.
Don't be side-tracked by perfectionism.
Perfectionism can be another feature of OCD. You may find your OCD telling you that if you don't do your homework perfectly, you won't recover. If you do find yourself obsessing about having to do your homework perfectly, you risk turning it into another compulsion.