Most people, at some point in their lives, have temporary fascinations, fixations
or "obsessions" with people, places, or things. But for approximately
one percent of Americans, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) transforms their
lives into a constant series of unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors
that they cannot control.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and relapsing anxiety disorder.
It's a medical condition and not something that someone with OCD can control.
But, with treatment, the impact of OCD on a person's life and relationships
can be minimized.
Facts about OCD:
- Approximately one percent of Americans have OCD.
- The first symptoms of OCD usually appear during childhood or adolescence.
- OCD affects men and women equally.
- OCD is sometimes associated with depression, substance abuse, eating disorders,
or other anxiety disorders.
- Left untreated, OCD symptoms can last for years or decades and have a serious
impact on your life and health.
Key features of OCD:
Obsessions - People with OCD have repeated, unwanted ideas or impulses
and find these disturbing and intrusive. Most people with OCD recognize that
their obsessions are not reasonable but cannot control them. Obsessions may
involve persistent fears of being harmed, or of a loved one being harmed. Many
people with OCD have concerns about contamination, or may have an excessive
need to do things correctly. The person may have repeated thoughts such as "I
must have left the stove on" or "I'll be injured if I walk along this
street." These thoughts often cause great anxiety. Sometimes the obsessions
can be sexual or aggressive in nature.
Compulsions - People with OCD cope with their obsessions by using repetitive
ritualized behaviors called compulsions. These can include behaviors
such as frequent hand washing, checking things (such as locks or stoves), counting
(e.g., counting certain objects over and over again), repeating a specific word
or phrase, rearranging objects persistently, or collecting food or objects.
They may also compose mental checklists or insist on eating foods in a specific
order. Compulsions may help relieve anxiety temporarily, but most often these
behaviors worsen with time.
OCD is often misunderstood
OCD can start gradually, and people with OCD often do not seek help until years
after the onset of their condition. At first, obsessions and compulsions may
be mild and have little impact on the person's life. Most people try to ignore
their obsessions and compulsions, and may even be successful doing so at work
or in social situations. However, in most cases, OCD worsens and will eventually
have a significant impact on a person's life, family, and friends.