Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Medical Author:
Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD
Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD
Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.
Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) facts
- What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and what are OCD symptoms?
- What causes OCD?
- How is OCD diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for OCD?
- What happens if OCD is not treated? What are complications of obsessive compulsive disorder?
- What is the prognosis for OCD?
- How is OCD prevented?
- Where can I get more information about obsessive compulsive disorder?
- Patient Comments: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Symptoms
- Patient Comments: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Experience
- Patient Comments: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Treatments
- Find a local Psychiatrist in your town
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) facts
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by irresistible thoughts or images (obsessions) and/or rigid rituals/behaviors that may be driven by obsessions (compulsions).
- OCD occurs in about 2% of populations worldwide across cultures and has been known to the field of medicine for at least 100 years.
- The average age of onset of OCD is 19 years of age, and it usually begins by 30 years of age.
- OCD sufferers are more likely than those who do not have the disorder to also suffer from other anxiety disorders.
- While there is no known specific cause for OCD, the presence of the illness in other family members and an imbalance of the brain chemical serotonin are thought to increase the likelihood of OCD developing.
- OCD is diagnosed by the practitioner looking for signs and symptoms of this and other emotional problems, as well as ensuring that there is no medical condition that could be contributing to development of OCD.
- OCD tends to respond most to a combination of behavior therapies (exposure and ritual prevention), group or individual cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications.
- Although not as effective in treating OCD as clomipramine, SSRIs are the group of medications that are most often used to treat this illness since the SSRIs tend to cause fewer side effects.
- SSRIs are thought to work by increasing the activity of serotonin in the brain.
- When the combination of psychotherapy and SSRI treatment is not sufficiently effective, neuroleptic medications may be added to improve the treatment outcome.
- For some people with severe OCD symptoms, deep brain stimulation can be helpful, and the use of hallucinogen medication as a treatment modality continues to be researched.
- Although the symptoms of OCD may last indefinitely, its prognosis is best when the sufferer has milder symptoms that have been present for a short time, and the person has no other emotional problems.
- Without treatment, OCD can worsen to the point that the sufferer has physical problems, becomes emotionally unable to function, or experiences suicidal thoughts. About 1% of OCD sufferers complete suicide.
Patient Comments
Viewers share their comments
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Causes
Question: What caused your obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?
- •
- Submit »
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Symptoms
Question: What symptoms do you experience with your obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Experience
Question: Please describe your experience with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Treatments
Question: What was the treatment for your obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)?
http://www.medicinenet.com/obsessive_compulsive_disorder_ocd/article.htm
Emotional Wellness
Get tips on therapy and treatment.
Updated & New
