Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)* is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The obsessions and compulsions are severe and create significant impairment in an individual’s life. It is understood by the person experiencing these behaviors that they are excessive and unreasonable. Repetitive behaviors or “rituals”, such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning, are often performed because the individual feels compelled to do so. Rituals are performed in order to calm obsessive thoughts and feelings of anxiety. Not performing these rituals significantly increases anxiety.
Symptoms may include:
- Recurring persistent and irrational thoughts, impulses or images that a person can not get rid of and cause anxiety and stress.
- Thoughts, impulses, or images are recognized by the individual as products of his/her own mind and excessive or unnecessary.
- These obsessions are more than excessive worries about everyday life.
- In order to suppress these thoughts, impulses, or images the person attempts to ignore them or replace them with some other thought or action
- Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels compelled to perform in response to obsessive thoughts, impulses, or images. For example: hand washing, counting, checking, hoarding, arranging, praying, and repeating words silently.
- These acts are intended to relieve the stress and anxiety associated with obsessive thoughts, impulses, and images.
- Behaviors are not connected in a realistic way to the obsessions they are intended to neutralize or are clearly excessive.
RELATED LINKS:
- Treatment
- Current Research
- Anxiety Disorders
* - As defined by the DSM-IV, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the National
Alliance on Mental Illness.
