Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), and behaviors that drive them to do something over and over (compulsions).

Often the person carries out the behaviors to get rid of the obsessive thoughts. But this only provides short-term relief. Not doing the obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety and distress.

Causes
Health care providers do not know the exact cause of OCD. Factors that may play a role include head injury, infections, and abnormal function in certain areas of the brain. Genes (family history) seems to play a strong role. A history of physical or sexual abuse also appears to increase the risk for OCD.

Parents and teachers …show more content…
Examples include:

Checking and rechecking actions (such as turning out the lights and locking the door)
Excessive counting
Ordering things in a certain way
Repeatedly washing the hands to ward off infection
Repeating words silently
Praying silently over and over
Not everyone who has habits or rituals they like to perform has OCD. But, the person with OCD:

Is not able to control their thoughts or behaviors, even when they understand that they are excessive.
Spends at least an hour a day on these thoughts or behaviors.
Does not get pleasure from performing a behavior or ritual, other than perhaps brief relief of anxiety.
Has major problems in daily life due to these thoughts and rituals.
People with OCD may also have a tic disorder, such as:

Eye blinking
Facial grimacing
Shoulder shrugging
Head jerking
Repeated clearing of the throat, sniffing, or grunting sounds
Exams and Tests
The diagnosis is made based on an interview of the person and family members. A physical exam can rule out physical causes. A mental health assessment can rule out other mental

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