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Obsessive compulsive disorder

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• More information on obsessive compulsive disorder

People with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) have thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions) which happen over and over again. Rituals — such as hand washing, counting, checking on a specific item (like whether the oven was left on), or cleaning — often are done in hope of stopping the thoughts. Doing these rituals, though, gives only short-term relief. Ignoring the urge to do the ritual greatly increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsessions and the need to perform rituals can take over a person's life. OCD is often a chronic, relapsing illness.

People with OCD sometimes have other mental health disorders, such as depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or other anxiety disorders. When a person also has other disorders, OCD is often harder to diagnose and treat. A person can have symptoms of OCD at the same time as, or that are part of, other brain disorders, such as Tourette's syndrome. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment of other disorders is important to successful treatment of OCD.

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Treatment

If you think you have obsessive compulsive disorder, the first person you should see is your family doctor. A physician can determine whether the symptoms that alarm you are due to an anxiety disorder, another medical condition, or both.

Research shows that people with OCD have patterns of brain activity that differ from people with other mental illnesses or people with no mental illness at all. There is also proof that both behavioral therapy and medication can help people with OCD. A type of behavioral therapy known as "exposure and response prevention" is very useful for treating OCD. In this approach, a person is exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts, and then is taught ways to avoid doing the compulsive rituals and how to deal with the anxiety.

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More information on obsessive compulsive disorder

Explore other publications and websites

• Employees With Mental Health Impairments (Copyright © Job Accommodation Network) — This report outlines basic information about common limitations, useful questions to consider, and accommodation possibilities for people who have psychiatric disabilities.
  http://askjan.org/media/Psychiatric.html
• Mental Health Services Locator — This website will help you locate mental health treatment facilities and support services in your state.
  http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Copyright © Anxiety Disorders Association of America) — This publication explains what obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is and discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatments. It also includes an OCD self-test that you can go over with your doctor.
  http://www.adaa.org/sites/default/files/OCD_adaa%20rev%20506.pdf
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Copyright © Mental Health America) — This publication provides statistical information on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including causes and treatments.
  http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/ocd
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) — This publication explains what obsessive-compulsive disorder is, including its signs, symptoms, and treatment options. It also links patients to support services and treatments.
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: What It Is and How to Treat It (Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians) — This online publication provides information on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other common obsessions, compulsions, and illnesses related to OCD.
  http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/anxiety/133.html
• Overcoming OCD: A Guide for College Students (Copyright © OCD Chicago) — This manual for college students explains how having obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might affect your success in school and in life and offers advice about who to talk to and how to get help. It also explains the difference between OCD and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
  http://www.ocdchicago.org/images/uploads/pdf/overcoming-ocd-guide-for-college-students.pdf
• Relief From OCD: A Guide for People With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Copyright © OCD Chicago) — This guide dispels many of the myths about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and sets the record straight on how it can affect your life. It also describes some of the common related or co-occurring conditions that affect people with OCD, and gives advice about how to choose a therapist.
  http://www.ocdchicago.org/images/uploads/pdf/relief-from-ocd.pdf
• When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder — This easy-to-read booklet on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) explains what it is, when it starts, how long it lasts, and how to get help.
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/summary.shtml

Connect with other organizations

• American Psychological Association
  http://apa.org/
• Freedom From Fear
  http://www.freedomfromfear.org/
• International OCD Foundation, Inc.
  http://www.ocfoundation.org/
• Mental Health America
  http://www.nmha.org/
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
  http://www.nami.org/
• National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
  http://www.nimh.nih.gov
• National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse
  http://www.mhselfhelp.org/
• OCD Chicago
  http://www.ocdchicago.org/

Content last updated March 29, 2010.

Resources last updated March 29, 2010.

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