How might obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) affect sleep?
One of the anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder may significantly interfere with daily activities.
Does it also disturb sleep by leading to difficulty sleeping and insomnia?
Agnieszka Wozniak / Caiaimage / Getty Images
What are the most common symptoms of the psychiatric condition?
Can obsessive-compulsive disorder also disrupt your ability to sleep at night?
Discover the facts, symptoms, and effective treatments for the problem.
It is also diagnosed through adolescence and into early adulthood.
Among adults, it affects females slightly more often than males.
It occurs in 0.5-1% of people in a given year.
OCD is characterized by two features: obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions are persistent thoughts, images, or impulses that seem intrusive or inappropriate.
These ideas are associated with anxiety or distress.
One common obsession relates to cleanliness and a belief that objects are contaminated with germs.
Some people with OCD may have a concern that a task was not completed or done inappropriately.
Compulsions are defined as repetitive and deliberate actions that are done as a response to a specific obsession.
By performing these compulsive acts, the obsessive thoughts can be temporarily suppressed.
Compulsions are performed in a very predictable and ritualized fashion.
Many compulsions have asuperstitious quality.
to make it relieve anxiety about a fear of germs, cleaning may occur.
To verify that the door is in fact locked, it may be checked three times.
How Does OCD Affect Sleep and Cause Insomnia?
You might conclude that the thoughts and behaviors associated with OCD could become disruptive to sleep.
In fact, checking behaviors may be disruptive if they involve leavingyour sleep environmentto reassure yourself.
More research is needed into the possible relationship between OCD and sleep disturbances.
Medications Used in the Treatment of OCD
A variety of treatment options are available for OCD.
Selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first line of treatment.
When sleep becomes disturbed, mood, thinking, and function may quickly unravel.
By correcting the condition, you may finally get the rest you better optimize your health and well-being.
2017;59(Suppl 1):S74-S90.
2014;57:101-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.06.021
