Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Another fairly talked about mental health disorder is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1.2% of U.S. adults have OCD.

The NIMH describes OCD: “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.”

As reported by the NIMH, obsessions, “are repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that cause anxiety. Common symptoms include:

• Fear of germs or contamination
• Unwanted forbidden or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm
• Aggressive thoughts towards others or self
• Having things symmetrical or in a perfect order”

The NIMH describes compulsions as, “repetitive behaviors that a person with OCD feels the urge to do in response to an obsessive thought. Common compulsions include:

• Excessive cleaning and/or handwashing
• Ordering and arranging things in a particular, precise way
• Repeatedly checking on things, such as repeatedly checking to see if the door is locked or that the oven is off
• Compulsive counting”

OCD can affect anybody of any age. Possible reasons OCD is acquired is genetics, brain structuring and functioning, and environment.

There are some treatments and therapies to help control OCD. There are different medications that can be prescribed to treat OCD, and psychotherapy can also be utilized to combat it.

For more information, visit the NIMH’s page on OCD.