Obsessive+Compulsive+Disorder

Anxiety Disorders - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions). Symptoms/Signs for this disorder are people with OCD may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals. They may be obsessed with germs or dirt, and wash their hands over and over. They may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things repeatedly.

OCD is more common than you would think. Most people who develop it show symptoms by age 30. Several theories about the cause of OCD, but none have been confirmed. Some reports have linked OCD to head injury or infections. Studies have shown that there are brain abnormalties in patients with OCD, but there still needs more research needed. It isn't genetic it is mostly caused from head injuries of infections, but more tests needed.

The General public doesn't really notice this disorder because people don't pay that close atention to someone that they can figure out that there is something different about that person.

Treatments for this disorder are medicines such as Citalopram (Celaxa), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Paroxetine(Paxil), and Sertraline (Zoloft). These are all different types of antidepressants.

About 20 percent of people who have OCD have tics, which suggests the condition may be related to Tourette syndrome.