Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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People with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer intensely from recurrent (happens over and over) and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions), which they feel they cannot control. Rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning often are performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Doing these rituals, though, provides only temporary relief, and not doing them 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 are important to successful treatment of OCD.

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 deliberately and voluntarily exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts, and then is taught techniques to avoid doing the compulsive rituals and to deal with the anxiety.

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Additional Resources

Publications

Mental Health Services Locator — This Internet site will help you locate mental health treatment facilities and support services in your state.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/default.asp
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) — This publication explains what obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) 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...
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/...
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://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/media/Psychiatric.html
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 Handbook: A Guide to Breaking Free From OCD (Copyright © Anxiety Disorders Association of America) — This handbook includes general information about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a self-test to help you recognize OCD symptoms, an overview of treatment options, and a guide for talking to your doctor or therapist.
http://www.adaa.org/treatOCD/help_OCDorder.html
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

Organizations

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