Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

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Approximately five million people in the U.S., or about one in every 50 Americans, suffer from OCD. That’s about 2%, a substantial number of sufferers. It affects men, women, and children, as well as people of all races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms that can include powerful, unwanted, or recurrent thoughts and/or compulsive, repetitive behaviors.

Some of the most common obsessions are:
- Fear of contamination
- Fear of causing harm to another
- Fear of making a mistake
- Fear of behaving in a socially unacceptable manner
- Need for symmetry or exactness
- Excessive doubt

Some of the most common compulsions may include:
- Cleaning/Washing
- Checking
- Arranging/Organizing
- Collecting/Hoarding
- Counting/Repeating

Obsessions are unwanted, recurrent and unpleasant thoughts that cause anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive, ritualistic behaviors that the person feels driven to perform to decrease anxiety. At least 80 percent of patients with OCD have both obsessions and compulsions.

OCD appears to be caused by increased activity in the orbital frontal cortex and caudate nucleus of the brain. OCD may also involve abnormal functioning of the neurotransmitter seratonin in the brain. Stress does not cause OCD; however, a stressful event can trigger the disorder. There are no hard facts to tell how OCD is obtained. OCD is thought to be a genetic disorder. ...

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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