What Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
3. How Is OCD Diagnosed?
It is crucial to understand that only a trained therapist is qualified to diagnose OCD. With the advent of the internet, many people have become interested in self-diagnosis, to which OCD patients may be especially susceptible. While phrases like obsession and compulsion may appear in routine conversations, the medical definition is specific and requires professional assessment.
Therapists generally look for three things when diagnosing a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder. First, they try to define the person’s obsessions, be they visual or auditory. Second, they want to know if the patient has found any compulsive behavior that temporarily mitigates the obsession. Finally, they determine whether the obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities.
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