May 2008
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May 2008
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Understanding
anxiety disorders Obsessive-compulsive disorder |
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People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have persistent, upsetting
thoughts (obsessions) and use rituals (compulsions) to control the anxiety
these thoughts produce. Most of the time, the rituals end up controlling
them. For example, if people are obsessed with germs or dirt, they may develop a compulsion to wash their hands over and over again. If they develop an obsession with intruders, they may lock and relock their doors many times before going to bed. Other common rituals are a need to repeatedly check things, touch things (especially in a particular sequence), or count things. People with OCD may also be preoccupied with order and symmetry, have difficulty throwing things out (so they accumulate), or hoard unneeded items. Performing such rituals is not pleasurable. At best, it produces temporary relief from the anxiety created by obsessive thoughts. OCD affects about 2.2 million American adults, and the problem can be accompanied by eating disorders, other anxiety disorders, or depression. OCD usually responds well to treatment with certain medications and/or exposure-based psychotherapy, in which people face situations that cause fear or anxiety and become less sensitive (desensitized) to them.
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