Overview

What it is: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent and unwanted thoughts (obsessions), rituals (compulsions) or both that you feel you cannot control. There is no pleasure derived from carrying out the rituals -- only temporary relief from the anxiety you feel if you don't perform them. When severe and not treated, OCD can interfere with your work, social life and even family relationships.

How it's diagnosed: Doctors use a set of guidelines and questions to help determine whether you have OCD. The doctor takes a careful medical history to identify the obsessions and compulsions, learn if the symptoms are recurring and time-consuming (at least one hour every day) and determine whether the symptoms are causing extreme distress or impairment.

How it's treated: Treatment can involve taking medications, psychotherapy (talk therapy) or both. It is likely you will need ongoing treatment to prevent another episode. While OCD may be brought under control with proper treatment, it rarely goes away completely.

Your doctor may prescribe medication to help treat your OCD. The most commonly used type of medications for OCD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Paxil. SSRIs work by helping to regulate the balance of a chemical called serotonin (a natural chemical in the brain), which researchers have found to be instrumental in brain activity associated with OCD.

Some people find comfort just by learning OCD is a medical condition. Learning more about your condition is often a good first step toward feeling better.

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What Does It Feel Like?

If you have OCD, you know your obsessions or compulsions are unreasonable but you just can't stop them. You might suffer needlessly with OCD because you are embarrassed to bring these symptoms to your doctor's attention, which delays getting effective treatment.

People with OCD are often plagued by nagging doubt and uncertainty (such as "Did I really turn off the stove, lock the door, write the correct amount on the check?"). This kind of catastrophic thinking and gnawing doubt are exhausting. Ever-greater amounts of time and energy can be consumed by symptoms while other aspects of life become increasingly submerged. Some people are unable to work. Others stop socializing to avoid tiring rituals. It can take hours for some people with OCD to leave the house because they get caught in obsessional slowness or mired in repeated checking rituals. Most people with OCD are left feeling trapped, helpless and sometimes depressed.

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How Common Is OCD?

OCD is a fairly common anxiety disorder. It affects nearly 5 million Americans during their lifetime. The condition usually develops in adolescence or early adulthood. OCD is equally common in men and women.

OCD is chronic, but the intensity of symptoms can fluctuate over time. Some people have a family history of the disease.

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