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Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a type of anxiety disorder, is a potentially disabling illness that traps people in endless cycles of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. OCD can affect both children and adults. This OCD cycle can progress to the point of taking up hours of the person's day and significantly interfering with normal activities. OCD obsessions are repeated and persistent while Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that you feel driven to perform. In the following paragraphs, one will learn the causes, signs and symptoms, risk factors and treatments of Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Even though the cause of OCD is not fully understood, there are many theories to how people get OCD but none has been confirmed. Some research shows that it may have to do with the chemical serotonin in the brain that carries messages from one nerve cell to another. A person who has OCD may not have enough serotonin. Serotonin helps to keep people from repeating the same behaviors over and over again. Another theory is environmental factors. Some researchers believe that OCD stems from behavior habits that you learn over time. Some researchers also believe OCD is a result of changes in your body's own natural chemistry.
There are many signs and symptoms to Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms include both obsessions and compulsions. OCD symptoms can be severe and time-consuming. For example, someone who feels that his or her hands have become contaminated by germs, an obsession, may spend hours washing them each day, a compulsion. Some Common obsessions include Fear of dirt or contamination by germs and Need for order, symmetry or exactness. Some common compulsions include Repeatedly bathing, showering or washing hands, Constant counting, mentally or aloud, while performing routine tasks and Eating foods in a specific order. “most OCD sufferers will meticulously hide their behaviours...