OCD Disorder

As the name suggests, people with OCD disorder are obsessed with certain thoughts and ideas, and compulsively perform certain rituals, which may take hours each day.

Those who have OCD disorder may know their actions make no sense, but they feel powerless to alter their behavior, which relieves their anxiety. Millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds have OCD disorder.

Medical Impact of OCD Disorder

While those who have OCD disorder are not susceptible to specific medical complications, OCD disorder can create major disruptions in an individual's life and make it difficult to hold a job and have healthy social relationships.

Signs of OCD Disorder

Obsessions common to those with OCD disorder include fear of contamination, fear of making a mistake or doing something that is socially unacceptable, fear of physical inadequacy or deformity, and fear of harming themselves or others.

Common OCD disorder compulsions include excessive cleaning, repetition of certain names or phrases, counting to a certain number, completing a series of steps in a precise order, or repeatedly checking the locations of personal items. Other compulsions associated with OCD disorder include hoarding useless items and counting them repeatedly, being unusually slow to complete particular tasks and being meticulous about cleaning and arranging items in a certain way.

Causes of OCD Disorder

Researchers believe that OCD disorder, like many other mental illnesses, is linked to genetics and is caused by an imbalance in the person's brain chemistry.

No one knows exactly what triggers OCD disorder, but factors including head trauma, trauma during childbirth, epilepsy or other serious illnesses, may contribute to the development of OCD disorder.

Treatment of OCD Disorder

OCD disorder can be successfully treated with medication, including antidepressants and inhibitors that counter the chemical imbalance in the brain.

Behavior therapy is also important and can teach OCD disorder patients to resist their obsessions and compulsions. Once OCD disorder patients resist their obsessions and see that the consequences they fear do not take place, they begin to recover from their OCD disorder.

Helping Someone with OCD Disorder

If you suspect you or someone you know has an OCD disorder, do something about it. Seek professional counseling immediately.

For help, contact Walden Behavioral Care at 781-647-6700 or Info@waldenbehavioralcare.com.