What is
obsessive-compulsive disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an illness that causes
people to have unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and to repeat
certain behaviors (compulsions) over and over again. We all have
habits and routines in our daily lives, such as brushing our teeth
before bed. However, for people with OCD, patterns of behavior get
in the way of their daily lives.
Most people with OCD know that their obsessions and compulsions
make no sense, but they can't ignore or stop them.
How common is OCD?
For many years, OCD was thought to be rare. Some recent studies
show that as many as 3 million Americans ages 18 to 54 may have
OCD at any one time. This is about 2.3% of the people in this age
group. OCD affects men and women equally.
How is OCD treated?
Combining therapy with medication is usually considered the most
effective way to treat OCD.
Several medicines are available to treat OCD. These medicines are
also often used to treat depression and include: clomipramine,
fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine and fluvoxamine. These drugs
can cause side effects such as dry mouth, nausea and drowsiness.
Sometimes they also have sexual side effects. It may be several
weeks before you see an improvement in your behavior.
Under the guidance of a trained therapist, behavioral therapy can
also be used to treat OCD. In behavioral therapy, people face
situations that cause or trigger their obsessions and anxiety.
Then they are encouraged not to perform the rituals that usually
help control their nervous feelings. For example, a person who is
obsessed with germs might be encouraged to use a public toilet
without washing his or her hands more than once. To use this
method, a person who has OCD must be able to tolerate the high
levels of anxiety that can result from the experience.
Growing Stronger, Growing
Better
Global Health
Healthcare Provider
Obsessive compulsive disorder - treatment of
Obsessive compulsive disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder types, Disease
medicines, Obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms, Obsessive compulsive
disorder and Disease symptoms, Obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms
Disease and diagnosis, Symptoms and Solutions, Signs and Symptoms, type of
Obsessive compulsive disorder, cause common, common Obsessive compulsive
disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder List, causes list, Infectious
Obsessive compulsive disorder, Causes, Diseases , Types, Prevention,
Treatment and Facts, Obsessive compulsive disorder information, Obsessive
compulsive disorder: Definition, Obsessive compulsive disorder names,
medical Obsessive compulsive disorder, medical Obsessive compulsive disorder
and disorders, cell Obsessive compulsive disorder, Obsessive compulsive
disorder Worldwide, Obsessive compulsive disorder Research, Obsessive
compulsive disorder Control, Obsessive compulsive disorder Center, Digestive
Obsessive compulsive disorder Week, Information about Obsessive compulsive
disorder, causes of different Obsessive compulsive disorder, Obsessive
compulsive disorder Articles, Obsessive compulsive disorder and conditions,
Health and Obsessive compulsive disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder
Patients, Obsessive compulsive disorder and Sciences, causes of alzheimer's
Obsessive compulsive disorder, Obsessive compulsive disorder causes,
alternative medicine heart Obsessive compulsive disorder, body ailments,
Obsessive compulsive disorder medicines, medical antiques, type of blood
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Quality
