Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is a chronic condition that is closely related to the anxiety disorders. It is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions refer to recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive. Compulsions refer to repetitive behaviors or mental acts (such as counting items) that an individual feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession. The content of obsessions and compulsions vary widely from themes of cleanliness or contamination to taboo or violent themes. These preoccupations and rituals can be very time-consuming, are of sufficient severity to cause distress which warrant intervention, and/or impair the individual’s functioning in everyday life.

Approved medications have been found to be effective in reducing OCD symptoms, although currently approved treatments may have side effects which some cannot tolerate and may take up to eight to 12 weeks to work.

It should be noted that anxiety disorders lead to mood disorders and that mood disorder symptoms often may include anxiety in any form.