OCD

=**Obsessive Compulsive  Disorder **=

What is OCD? OCD is short for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This is categorized as a @Panic/ Anxiety disorder in which people feel an urgent need to repeat an often times irrational thought or action numerous times. For example, people who have this disorder may have the need to double check if they left the oven on over and over again, or repeat phrases.

Symptoms of OCD -urgent need to repeat a thought or action -"obsessions"- uncontrolled thoughts, impulses, or ideas. They are nearly impossible to get rid of and often times get in the way of normal living. Examples include- A fear of getting sick when you don't wash your hands every couple minutes. -"compulsions" behaviors to end obsessive thoughts Example include- washing your hands over and over again to relieve the thought of getting sick from germs living on your hand and dying, hoarding, repeating certain behaviors. What causes OCD? So far, there is nothing that causes this disease for certain, but some are now saying that a lack of chemical in the brain called serotonin may be to blame for causing OCD. Research has shown that it is also may be genetic because it is commonly found in families.

Common Perceptions Most people who are not familiar with OCD think that people who have it are crazy and do not realize that their thoughts are extremely difficult to control. 3.3 million people, women and men both, are affected by OCD and experience first symptoms at an adolescent age.

Treatments for OCD Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been shown to be of some help to those who suffer from OCD. CBI has three stages: Stage 1- Exposure A child is put into a situation which causes them to feel anxiety related to one of their obsessions. Stage 2- Response-Prevention Detouring the patients compulsive behaviors in hope to reduce anxiety. Stage 3- Teaching Objective Thinking Having the subject identify the situation that causes and learn how to reevaluate the problem

Works Cited: http://www.marshallcavendishdigital.com http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/tc/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-topic-overview http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/ http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/tc/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-cause http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=OCD&sourceid=Mozilla-search http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons