Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety, or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsions. People with OCD may have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Examples of obsessive thoughts include: fear of germs or contamination, unwanted forbidden or taboo thoughts, and obsession with order or symmetry. Common compulsions include: handwashing, counting of things, and checking to see if a door is locked.
Symptoms
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and unwanted, and that in most people cause significant anxiety or distress. The individual attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts or to neutralize them with some other thought or action (a compulsion).
Compulsions are behaviors or rituals that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. These behaviors or rituals are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or rituals are not realistically connected to what they are designed to neutralize or prevent, or are clearly excessive.
Causes
The exact cause of OCD is not known, but research suggests that a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors may be involved. Biological factors that may play a role in the development of OCD include genetics, brain structure, and irregularities in the body’s balance of neurotransmitters.
Psychological factors may include stress, anxiety, and certain personality traits. Environmental factors may include experiences during childhood or adolescence, such as stressful life events or being the victim of bullying or abuse.
Treatment
Treatment for OCD typically includes some form of psychotherapy and medications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for OCD. CBT helps the individual recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that are contributing to the symptoms of OCD.
Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may also be prescribed to help reduce the symptoms of OCD. In some cases, a combination of therapy and medication may be necessary to effectively manage the symptoms of OCD.