Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder characterized by an obsession or a compulsion. Obsession is a persistent, unwanted thought or idea that keeps recurring. Compulsions are irresistible urges to repeatedly carry out some act that seems strange and unreasonable, even to them.
Obsessive-compulsion disorder (OCD) can have many symptoms. If you are obsessed with germs or dirt, so you wash your hands over and over. You may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things repeatedly. You may have frequent thoughts of violence, and fear that you will harm people close to you. You also may spend long periods of touching things or counting. Another is you may feel troubled by thoughts that are against your religious beliefs. The disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions, and the rituals that are performed to try to prevent or get rid of them are called compulsions.
OCD affects about 3.3 million adult Americans. It strikes men and women in approximately equal numbers and usually first appears in childhood, adolescence, or early childhood. OCD might gradually ease over time, or it can grow worse. Research evidence suggests that OCD might run in families.
Effective treatments for each of the anxiety disorders have been developed through research. In general, two types of treatment are available for an anxiety disorder, medications and specific type of psychotherapy. With medications the psychiatrists or other physician will evaluate each patient and prescribe a certain medication. Psychotherapy involves talking with a trained mental health professional. With this a patient is exposed to their phobia or fear. With time it gets more and more intense to the point they have no more phobia or compulsions....