What Is Obsessive-
Compulsive Disorder?
Understand the Symptoms & Treatments for OCD
The word “obsessive” refers to reoccurring and persistent thoughts or urges that might be unwanted or intrusive. The word “compulsive” refers to repetitive behaviors or thoughts that a person experiences in response to an obsession or to rules that the person believes need to be applied rigidly. Together, these words come together to define obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The symptoms of OCD are common in many people, but OCD does not occur until these symptoms and behaviors become intrusive in a person’s professional and personal life.
In the United States, 2.2 million adults have OCD and is equally common among men and women.*
Symptoms of OCD include:
- Fear of contamination
- Aggressive behavior towards others or self
- Excessive cleaning
- Constantly ordering and arranging objects in a detailed, precise manner
Treatments for OCD are as follows:
- Medication management
- Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Intensive outpatient program groups
Get Help for OCD
Is OCD hurting your life or that of your loved one? Contact DiscoveryMD today by calling us or filling out the form below.