Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Individuals with OCD have reoccurring obsessions and compulsions which they cannot control. An obsession is defined as a recurring thought while compulsions are ritualistic behaviors performed over and over. OCD affects as much as 3% of the general population and symptoms usually appear in childhood. While specific causes of OCD remain unknown, there seems to be a genetic link; roughly 25% of OCD patients have a family member with OCD.

Symptoms of OCD generally manifest with one or more of the following:

A fear of being dirty or contaminated. This fear typically leads to excessive hand washing.

Doubts about whether a particular action has been completed ("did I lock the door", "is the stove off"); this causes repeated checking and rechecking.

Elaborate rituals for seemingly normal activities such as getting dressed, taking a shower, eating, etc. These complex rituals can take up much of the day.

Compulsive counting and other compulsions such as silently repeating a word over and over.