Obsessive Cumpulsive Disorder

Obsessive Cumpulsive Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder. It causes frequent thoughts and behaviors that are stressful to the affected person. They are usually performed with the expectation of stopping obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Symptoms of OCD include obsessions and compulsions. A person sometimes may have one or the other. People become overwhelmed by their obsessions and compulsions. Common obsessions are fears of germs and dirt, fear of causing harm to themselves or others, order and symmetry- the thought that everything must line up exact. Common compulsions are washing- spending a lot of time washing or cleaning, repeating- repeating certain words, tapping, checking and double-checking of things, touching, and counting.
It is unknown what exactly causes OCD. “Experts believe OCD is related to levels of a normal chemical in the brain called serotonin. When the proper flow of serotonin is blocked, the brain's "alarm system" overreacts and misinterprets information. Danger messages are mistakenly triggered like "false alarms." Instead of the brain filtering out these unnecessary thoughts, the mind dwells on them — and the person experiences unrealistic fear and doubt” (Elana Joseph). There is proof that OCD runs in families. Many people with OCD have one or more family members who have it or other anxiety disorders.
Scientists think that the tendency for someone to increase the serotonin imbalance that causes OCD can be hereditary through a person's genes. OCD through heredity doesn’t mean a person will get it but there is a chance they might. Another theory is that OCD is psychiatric. The person who shows OCD behavior feels responsible and guilty

for their obsessive thoughts. This then leads to the behaviors. There are environmental stressors that can cause OCD in people. Some factors are abuse, illness, death of loved ones, and...

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