The Difference Between Anxiety Disorder & OCD

Anxiety disorders and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) are both psychiatric conditions that are characterized by over active worrying. However, they are still distinctly different. People with OCD tend to be more extreme in the manifestations of their condition.

The Prevalence of OCD

• One in 50 adults have OCD in the United States, according to International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation and twice as many have experienced some version of it at some point in their lives.

Prevalence of Anxiety Disorder

• According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, anxiety affects up 6.8 million adults, or 3.1 percent of the U.S. population each year.

Key OCD Characteristics

• People suffering from OCD have obsessions and compulsions that are fear based. Superstitions may be a factor with the person believing that certain ritualistic behaviors will prevent bad things from happening, like washing their hands a specific number of times to ward off germs.

Key Anxiety Disorder Characteristics

• Anxiety disorders are chiefly characterized by excessive worrying about everyday life issues like work, family and money.

Symptoms of OCD

• A person with OCD may obsess over whatever they fear like germs, health, flying or death. To manage these worries they perform repetitive acts, like never touching public surfaces, only eating foods a certain color or constantly checking a locked door.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

• In addition to excessively worrying, anxiety sufferers may also experience, muscle tension, fatigue, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability, edginess and gastrointestinal discomfort including diarrhea .