Did you know that GAD is overdiagnosed and it is actually rare to have?
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) share some overlapping symptoms, such as excessive worry and distress, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Understanding how OCD is often misdiagnosed as GAD involves recognizing the similarities and differences between the two disorders, as well as the challenges in distinguishing them during diagnosis. Did you know that It takes about 11-17 years to get the diagnosis of OCD, which can be life-changing with the proper modality of treatment
Key Differences Between OCD and GAD
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Despite these similarities, the two disorders differ in some key ways that can help distinguish them:
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Obsessions vs. General Worry:
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OCD involves obsessions—intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that create significant distress. These obsessions are often irrational or exaggerated, but the person feels compelled to act on them in some way- And we can have silent compulsions.
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GAD, on the other hand, involves generalized and excessive worry about life events or circumstances, but the worry is not tied to specific intrusive thoughts that demand action (compulsions). While people with GAD worry about what could go wrong, those with OCD have distressing thoughts that they feel they must "neutralize" with specific actions, such as avoidance, reassurance, analyzing, excessively thinking about the worries etc....
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Why OCD is Often Misdiagnosed as GAD
Several factors contribute to OCD being misdiagnosed as GAD:
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Focus on Anxiety Symptoms:
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Both disorders involve anxiety, and many people with OCD may not initially mention their obsessions and compulsions when seeking treatment. Instead, they might report anxiety and worry as their primary symptoms. A clinician might then focus on the anxiety and diagnose GAD without fully exploring the presence of compulsive behaviors or obsessive thoughts.​
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Lack of Awareness of OCD Symptoms:
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OCD is often misunderstood, even by healthcare professionals. Many people with OCD may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their obsessions and compulsions, especially if they seem irrational or strange. As a result, they might not disclose these symptoms, leading the clinician to diagnose them with GAD based on the more obvious symptoms of excessive worry.
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