It is now estimated that up to 3 percent of the U. population may suffer from OCD at some point in their lives (about 5 million people). The disorder usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood, but it may also occur in childhood. OCD is characterized by recurrent, unwanted and unpleasant thoughts (obsessions), and/or repetitive, ritualistic behaviors, which the person feels driven to perform (compulsions). People with OCD know their obsessions and compulsions.
are irrational or excessive, yet find they have little or no control over them. .
Dirt, germs and contamination, fear of acting on violent or aggressive impulses, feeling overly responsible for the safety of others - ex.: unreasonable fear of having run over someone with a car, abhorrent religious (blasphemous) and sexual thoughts, excessive concern with order, arrangement, or symmetry, inability to discard useless or worn out possessions, etc. .
SYMPTOMS OF OCD.
Excessive washing (particularly hand washing or bathing), cleaning, checking and repetitive actions such as touching, counting, arranging and ordering or hoarding. Ritualistic behaviors lessen the chances of distress from obsessions but buy only short term comfort at the long term cost of frequent ritual repetition. A person can have a few or many of these symptoms, which can vary during the course of the disorder. .
People with OCD may become demoralized or develop depression. Feelings of intense anxiety, discomfort, or disgust are common. Other forms of behavior that may be related to OCD are the urge to pluck out eyebrows or strands of hair (Trichotillomania), the preoccupation with a minor or imagined bodily defect (Body Dysmorphic Disorder), severe or extreme nail biting, or the unfounded fear of having a serious illness (hypochondriasis). .
WHAT IS OCD? .
If not treated appropriately, the disorder is usually chronic, with "waxing" and "waning" of symptoms. In some cases, people may outgrow the disorder, in other cases, it may follow a progressive deteriorating course.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a condition that can be disabling to a persons life. Someone who suffers from OCD can become trapped in repetitive thoughts and behaviors that are seemingly senseless. OCD can occur in a varying degree, from mild to severe.... Therefore it can seem plausible that OCD is not caused by a neurochemical imbalance.... Both ideas are used today as a major part in treating OCD. ...
If people recognize the symptoms and seek treatment, OCD can be controlled. OCD plagues people with intrusive, unwanted thoughts or obsessions, which are rarely pleasant. ... These behaviors generally are intended to ward off harm to the person with OCD or others. ... People with OCD usually have considerable insight into their own problems. ... OCD affects as many as 2 percent of all Americans. ...
Many people without OCD experience these obsessions, but in a different way. People without OCD may experience these obsessions momentarily and then move on. ... People with OCD typically have a difficult time throwing things away. ... People with OCD may be very reluctant to work with a group or team. ... There are two main treatments for OCD: psychotherapy and medications. ...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Outline Thesis: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness characterized by the presence of recurrent, unwanted ideas or impulses (obsessions) and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession. I. Four primar...
The misconceptions about OCD are not all new. ... OCD even made an appearance in a classic piece of literature. ... When you have OCD you know how it feels (Summers, 1999)." ... Perhaps obsessions are things that people who do not have OCD see as odd and abstract, but to the people with OCD, they are very real. ... People with OCD know their compulsions are absurd. ...
The key features of OCD are obsessions and compulsions. ... OCD occurs on a continuum from mild to severe. ... What is OCD The key features of OCD are obsessions and compulsions as stated in DSMIV. ... How Prevalent is OCD For many years, mental health professionals thought of OCD as a rare disease because only a small minority of their patients had the condition. ... The survey showed that OCD is more commo...
Quirky behavior or something more serious? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD affects nearly two to three percent of the U.S. population. OCD affects both males and females, but males start to show signs of OCD at an earlier age, between the ages of six and fifteen, while in females it tends t...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Outline Thesis: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness characterized by the presence of recurrent, unwanted ideas or impulses (obsessions) and an urge or compulsion to do something to relieve the discomfort caused by the obsession. I. Four primar...
OCD strikes people of all ethnic groups, both male and female. ... There is no single, proven cause of OCD, but research suggests that OCD involves problems in communication between the front part of the brain and deeper structures. ... Left untreated, OCD usually grows worse as patients age. ... Behavioral psychotherapists are a good option for the treatment and management of the OCD. ... The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation provides a forum for people with OCD and professionals interested in OCD. ...