Obsessive+Compulsive+Disorder

Nick and Yash =**//O bsessive-C ompulsive D isorder//** =



Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, otherwise known as OCD, is an anxiety disorder in which patients have unwanted, repetitive thoughts and certain behaviors that they cannot resist to perform. Obsessions are uncontrollable thoughts, images, or impulses that occur over and over again in your mind, while compulsions are rituals that you feel driven to act out again and again. Just because you have obsessive thoughts or perform compulsive behaviors does NOT mean that you have obsessive-compulsive disorder. With OCD, these thoughts and behaviors cause tremendous distress, and interference with your daily life.
 * **WHAT IS IT?**

For many years, OCD was thought to be rare. Some recent studies show that as many as 3 million Americans ages 18 to 54 may have OCD at any one time. This is about 2.3% of the people in this age group.

OCD sufferers worry in an extreme way. They can have a fear of hurting people, or a fear of germs and dirt. To deal with these fears and worries, they will have compulsive behaviors like double-checking or spending a lot of time cleaning themselves. Some other examples of obsessions are:
 * **WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?**
 * Concern with order, symmetry (balance) and exactness
 * Worry that a task has been done poorly, even when the person knows this is not true
 * Fear of thinking evil or sinful thoughts
 * Thinking about certain sounds, images, words or numbers all the time
 * Need for constant reassurance

The following are some common compulsions:
 * Checking drawers, door locks and appliances to be sure they are shut, locked or turned off
 * Repeating actions, such as going in and out of a door, sitting down and getting up from a chair
 * Ordering and arranging items in certain ways
 * Counting to a certain number, over and over
 * Seeking constant reassurance and approval

No one has found a single, proven cause for OCD, but research shows many possible causes. The brain being connected in an incorrect way can cause it. Head injuries may lead to it as well. Strep infections have been linked to OCD.
 * **WHAT CAUSES THE DISORDER?**

Possibly the most controversial cause is whether genetics and heredity lead to OCD. People with OCD may have a mutation in the hSERT gene. This is involved with serotonin. It is also a possibility to inherit a strong response from stress. Strong responses can cause OCD.


 * **HOW PEOPLE VIEW IT?**

People, including the sufferer's family, tend to see the action of an OCD sufferer to be little more than a "bad habit" that the sufferer can control. This is extremely far from the truth. The sufferer knows that what he is doing doesn't make sense, but they still can't stop doing it. They feel as if they absolutely must perform the action, even when they know that nothing bad would happen if they don't.

OCD can be treated via two things: medication and therapy.
 * **WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?**

Several medicines are available to treat OCD. These medicines are also often used to treat depression and include: clomipramine, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, and other anti-depressants. These drugs can cause side effects such as dry mouth, nausea and drowsiness. It may be several weeks before you see an improvement in your behavior.

Besides medication, there is another option: cognitive behavioral therapy. This form of therapy has been shown to be the most effective type of psychotherapy for this disorder. The patient is exposed many times to a situation that triggers the obsessive thoughts, and learns gradually to tolerate the anxiety and resist the urge to perform the compulsion. For example, if a person is afraid of germs so he will have touch something that he believes contain germs and do not wash their hands. Medication and therapy together are considered to be better than either treatment alone at reducing symptoms.

People who have OCD often have other kinds of anxiety, like phobias (such as fear of spiders or fear of flying) or panic attacks. They might also have depression, ADHD, an eating disorder or a learning disorder such as dyslexia. If you have one or more of these disorders, then don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask your doctor.
 * **WHAT OTHER DISEASES ARE CONNECTED TO OCD?**

For more information on these diseases, please visit: http://sthealth2.wikispaces.com/ADHD http://sthealth2.wikispaces.com/Depression

Miller, Allen R. "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." //Living with Anxiety Disorders//. New York, NY: Facts On File, 2008. 73-90. Print. Teen's Guides.
 * **WORKS CITED**:

"NIMH · Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD." //NIMH · Home//. National Institute of Health. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. .

"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Definition, Symptoms, Treatment." //Mental Health Information Center//. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. .

"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Symptoms, Behavior, and Treatment." //Helpguide.org: Expert, Ad-free Articles Help Empower You with Knowledge, Support & Hope.// 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. .

"Obsessive-compulsive Disorder - PubMed Health." //PubMed Health//. A.D.A.M., 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. .