GAD vs OCD (and how to tell the difference)

If you are wondering if you have GAD vs OCD (and how to tell the difference), this episode might be just what you need.
My name is Kimberley Quinlan, and I am a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and an AX specialist. I help people overcome their anxiety in the kindest way possible.
I have treated Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD for over 13 years, and it is true.
GAD and OCD look SUPER similar, so I will break it down today and address the GAD and OCD overlap. Let’s go!
GAD vs OCD
GAD vs OCD is a slightly controversial topic right now. Conferences. Dont all agree
The reason for this is that they follow a very similar cycle.
What is GAD?
To understand what is GAD, we need to know the criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Anxiety and worry about everyday events such as work, school, etc.
Frequency: Occurs more days than not for at least six months
The person finds it challenging to control the worry and anxiety
Focus on areas related to another anxiety disorder, such as social anxiety, HA, Panic disorder, body image, previous trauma, etc.
Causes distress and impairment
Rules out medical reasons for symptoms such as a medical condition or substance abuse
Symptoms of GAD (DX criteria)
Restlessness or being on edge
Easily fatigued
Difficulty concentrating or “blank mind”
Irritability
Muscle Tension
Sleep disturbances
What is OCD?
To understand what is OCD, we need to address the DX-criteria for OCD.
Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both:
Intrusive, unwanted, repetitive thoughts, feelings, sensations, urges, and images that cause marked anxiety or distress.
The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, urges, or images or neutralize them compulsively.
Compulsions -5 types
Compulsions are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive.
The obsessions or compulsions are time-consuming (e.g., take more than 1 hour per day) or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The obsessive-compulsive symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition.
The disturbance is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder (e.g., excessive worries, as in generalized anxiety disorder, BDD, HA, Phobias, BFRBs, trauma, etc.
So, now let's talk about Ocd vs. gad and how to tell the difference.
Both GAD or OCD have obsessions (intrusive thoughts)
Both have rumination, avoidance, and reassurance seeking.
OCD tends to be focused on irrational subjects
Are your worries related to daily stressors?
Are your fears intrusive and repetitive?
Are they realistic and valid, or irrational and distorted?
Are you doing physical compulsions?
Does anyone in your family have GAD or OCD?
You can take an OCD or GAD test
Talk to a therapist or mental health professional
Let’s answer some common questions asked about this topic
Can you have OCD and GAD?
Is there a GAD OCD overlap?
What about other anxiety disorders vs ocd?
Can GAD lead to OCD?
What's the difference between OCD and anxiety?

[@imogenoneill1017]

Misdiagnosed with anxiety with whole life and now realising it is OCD. I've been so frustrated the the lack of understanding but now things make sense. Biggest example of me is I have intrusive thoughts about irrational things like what if the solid earth is going to fall from under me, what if I feel anxiety being too far away from my car...yet I am super relaxed about the things I probably should worry about like not working, money, family, adult obligations. It also explains why the lower dose medications never worked. Now to learn how to treat this for what it is.

[@chrisbenj3819]

Acceptance. Being comfortable uncomfortably until it doesn’t matter and your brain kind of lets it go

[@RedRabbleRouser]

they say OCD is often a fear of fear, and of uncertainty. The brain searches desperately for certainty often on a topic that is fundamentally uncertain. So being okay w uncertainty, accepting your own fear, and refusing to feed intrusive and looping thoughts w your (fearful) attention helps a lot. Also, stress seems to spark OCD episodes, so managing stress in daily life and taking care of your health helps prevent episodes altogether.

[@doublem6027]

One of the most clearly explained video in KZbin. I have both GAD and OCD . I am currently struggling with harmOCD badly. In your 15 years have you helped someone with Harmocd?

[@irisdanagher]

The best videos on the Internet 💯

[@kristymarie6065]

Good one

[@The.woman.in.the.high.castle]

Could she be anymore likeable? lol. What a gem. Thanks for the content!

[@jamesreeves9740]

I was squared away on saris for ocd for 25 years then got Covid and now have constant breakthrough anxiety which amps up the ocd is there a protocol should I try to fix the anxiety that seemed to reanimate ocd ?

[@dpabercrombie]

Thought I was GAD but after a recent challenge I’m sure it’s OCD.

[@bubblygirl0540]

Hope you heal bro😊😊

[@chrisbenj3819]

Be comfortable in the uncomfortable and try to be kind to yourself. It has a way of making our inner voice evil. You got to is. I’ve been spiraling for months I won’t give up you got this. We got this