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?