Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is not that uncommon. In fact, the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation (OCF) says that one in 50 people has OCD.

OCD is characterized by unwanted and recurring thoughts that create anxiety. These persistent thoughts may lead someone to perform rituals over and over, such as constant hand washing or repeatedly checking to make sure electrical appliances are turned off. Some people describe OCD as a mental hiccup or a broken record where you are compelled to do the same thing over and over.

The behaviors themselves aren't unusual; after all, we all find ourselves occasionally worrying about whether or not we shut off the stove. However, what makes such behaviors compulsions is when such activities occur over and over, sometimes for hours at a time, until they interfere with everyday life.

Symptoms of OCD

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), OCD is considered an anxiety disorder. (Read about "Anxiety") It can appear in childhood, but typically begins in the teens or early adulthood.

The disturbing thoughts vary from person to person. Some may be obsessed with germs (Read about "Microorganisms"), causing them to wash over and over; others may worry about checking things; others may obsess about the health of loved ones; still others may become obsessed about symmetry, leading them to arrange things in a certain order. The thoughts are called obsessions. The rituals people develop to relieve the anxiety these thoughts create are called compulsions.

OCD may be accompanied by other anxiety disorders such as panic attacks or phobias. (Read about "Panic Disorder" "Phobias") People with OCD may try to avoid situations that cause their obsessive thoughts. They may try self-medicating with alcohol or drugs in an effort to calm their anxiety. (Read about "Alcoholism" "Addiction") Sometimes, OCD can develop to the point where it makes it impossible for someone to hold a job; however many people with OCD manage to create an outward appearance that hides their disorder from all but the closest friends or family members.

Not all obsessive compulsive behaviors represent an illness, according to OCF. Some rituals like bedtime songs and religious practices are normal and natural. Normal worries, such as contamination fears, may increase during times of stress, such as when someone in the family is sick or dying. (Read about "Stress") Only when symptoms persist, cause much distress or interfere with daily life do they need clinical attention.

Getting help

OCF says compulsions do not give the person pleasure. Rather, the rituals are performed to obtain relief from the discomfort caused by the obsessions. Treatment for OCD usually involves a combination of behavior therapy and medications. OCF says behavior therapy helps people learn to change their thoughts and feelings by first changing their behavior. Therapy also tries to reduce the catastrophic thinking and exaggerated sense of responsibility many people with OCD tend to have. According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, drugs recommended for OCD are those that act upon the imbalance of serotonin.

OCD can be difficult for both patients and families. OCF says many family members feel frustrated and confused by the symptoms and don't know how to help their loved one. If you're concerned about OCD either for yourself or for a loved one, a doctor can tell you more about diagnosing and treating this disorder.

Treatment options for OCD include psychotherapy and medications. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, the therapist helps patients recognize and change the thought patterns that are associated with their OCD behaviors. A therapist may also work with the patient to help them gradually increase the amount of time they can go without a compulsive behavior. Therapy may also involve exposing the patient to gradually increased amounts of the stressful situations that trigger their OCD. Among medications, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are most commonly used to treat OCD. SSRIs work to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin, a chemical found in the brain, helps to relay messages from one area of the brain to another. SSRIs are also used to treat depressive illnesses. (Read about "Depressive Illnesses") You should discuss potential side effects of any prescribed medication with your doctor. (Read about "Medicine Safety")

Treatment can often involve a combination of both medications and psychotherapy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved an implanted brain device for patients with severe OCD who have failed to respond to any other treatment. FDA says the brain stimulation device can help suppress OCD symptoms in some patients when used in conjunction with medications.

Meanwhile, research continues into the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of OCD and other anxiety disorders. (Read about "Clinical Studies") Studies are examining genetic (Read about "Genetics") and environmental risks, with the ultimate goal being to be able to cure, and perhaps even to prevent, such disorders.

Using brain imaging technologies and neurochemical techniques (Read about "CT Scan - Computerized Tomography" "MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging" "PET - Positron Emission Tomography"), scientists are finding that a network of interacting structures is responsible for the emotions we associate with anxiety. For example, the amygdala, a structure located deep within the brain, is believed to serve as a communications hub between the parts of the brain that process incoming sensory signals and the parts that interpret them. (Read about "The Brain") It can signal that a threat is present, and trigger a fear response or anxiety. It appears that emotional memories stored in the central part of the amygdala may play a role in disorders involving very distinct fears, like phobias (Read about "Phobias"), while different areas may be involved in other forms of anxiety.

According to NIMH, research indicates that other brain parts called the basal ganglia and striatum are involved in obsessive compulsive disorder. Research is also looking into the hippocampus, another brain structure that is responsible for processing threatening or traumatic stimuli. The hippocampus plays a key role in the brain by helping to encode information into memories. By learning more about brain circuitry involved in fear and anxiety, scientists may be able to devise new and more specific treatments for OCD and other anxiety disorders.

Meanwhile, the important thing for patients and families to remember is that there is help available. Again, if you suspect that OCD is a problem for yourself or a loved one, seek professional advice.

Related Information:

    Mental Health

    Social Phobia

    Suicide Prevention

    Post-Traumatic Stress