OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is an anxious thought or thoughts that you may feel you cannot control.
With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a person can feel afflicted by persistent thoughts, or images. One may have an urgent need to engage in rituals.
People with OCD may be obsessed with germs, or dirt. So you may wash your hands over and over.
You may feel in doubt, and feel the need to check things repeatedly.
You may have thoughts of violence, and fear that you will hurt people close to you.
You may find you spend time touching, or counting things for long periods of time.
There is no pleasure in carrying out the rituals you are drawn to, only relief from the anxiety that grows when you don't do them.
There are healthy people that carry out this behavior, such as checking the stove many times before leaving the house. However, people with OCD can do this for at least an hour every day, which interferes with daily life.
About 3.3 million adults are affected with OCD. Men and women are at an equal number for having this disorder and it usually shows symptoms first in childhood, or as a young adult.
Like other anxiety disorders, OCD has been researched, and has shown evidence to run in families. Other anxiety disorders and depression may accompany OCD, such as an eating disorder. If OCD is not treated, it can lead into avoidance of situations and drug and alcohol abuse. The drugs and alcohol are used to calm themselves. If this disorder becomes too severe, it could lead to not being able to hold down a job.
Medication and therapy are a highly effective forms of treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
