The symptoms of OCD – unwanted or repeated thoughts, feelings and ideas that cause a person to act out in behaviors known as compulsions – could exacerbate the day after an intense dream, according to a new study. Researchers examined the relationship between dreams and the realities of 594 people with obsessive compulsive disorder and discovered that dreams fueled by intense, unhappy feelings, particularly those of guilt, anger and shame, exacerbated the symptoms of OCD the following day.
OCD Symptoms and Negative Feelings
One of the most prominent symptoms of OCD is a strong, insatiable desire to purify oneself, or to remove a negative thought or feeling through a specific behavior known as a compulsion. The disorder essentially compels the person to act out the compulsion in order to relieve the anxiety, even though the relief found is quite often temporary. Sadly, even not acting out the compulsion can leave the person with even greater feelings of anxiety, creating a perpetual cycle that is linked closely to stress, unhappiness and a number of health concerns.
The Study
The study conducted at Hong Kong Shue Yan University revealed new insight into the symptoms of OCD – that upon awakening from an intense dream driven by anger, guilt or shame, the same quintessential desire to remove negative feelings can emerge and even exacerbate, often leading to both heightened anxiety and increased compulsions.
Furthermore, researchers discovered the same increase in both anxiety and compulsions among subjects who had intense dreams characterized by either thoughts of having a superpower, the ability to control the behavior of others or some other type of dream involving this type of magical thinking.
Added Insight to Magical Thinking and OCD
Interestingly, the symptoms of OCD most often surface during childhood, which could help explain the unusual findings of the study. Childhood is when the same magical thinking and high level of imagination involved in intense dreams is generally the strongest. Research also concludes that many people with obsessive compulsive disorder grow up with feelings of paranoia as a result of their inability to distinguish the difference between magical thinking and reality. The mind is certainly fascinating – and more insight can help us better understand it.
Posts related to Symptoms of OCD May Heighten After Intense Dreams
Do you think you have the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder? An OCD test can help you determine if your symptoms require the help of a …
Intrusive thoughts can make anyone feel abnormal. Suppose you found yourself waiting patiently on the train platform for the next train to arrive when suddenly …
The list of mental disorders is long – and the general public is usually pretty quick to throw in some popular misconceptions and misunderstandings. The …
People with cognitive distortions often show signs of poor self image, depression, anxiety, social difficulties and a host of related mental health issues. Defined and …
Pingback: OCD Test | Do You Have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms?