Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive disorder is repeated obsessions or compulsions that that is severe enough to be time consuming or cause significant impairment. Obsessions are persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses or images that are intrusive and inappropriate. One often feels like they have no control over them but can recognize that these thoughts are a product of their own mind and not from an outside source. The most common obsessions are about contamination (shaking hands or “germs”), repeated doubts, a need to have things in a particular order or aggressive or horrific impulses (to hurt one’s child or yell obscenities in church). An individual with obsessions attempts to ignore or suppress these thoughts with forms of actions, thoughts or compulsion and feel compelled to perform the compulsion to prevent some dreaded event or situation. Compulsions are the repetitive behavior associated with the obsession. This can be in the form of constant hand washing, checking, neatening up, counting or repeating words silently. By performing these actions, an individual may feel reduced anxiety or stress. A person may recognize that he/she’s actions are unreasonable but have no control over performing them. In some cases obsessions and compulsions can take longer than1 hour per day and significantly interfere with the individuals normal routine, occupation, social activities or relationships.