what is OCD ?

Answer 1

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or "rituals") which attempt to neutralize the obsessions. Also classified as an anxiety disorder.

The phrase "obsessive-compulsive" has worked its way into the wider English lexicon, and is often used in an offhand manner to describe someone who is meticulous or absorbed in a cause (see also "anal-retentive"). Such casual references should not be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder; see clinomorphism. It is also important to distinguish OCD from other types of anxiety, including the routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. A person who shows signs of infatuation or fixation with a subject/object, or displays traits such as perfectionism, does not necessarily have OCD, a specific and well-defined condition.

To be diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, one must have either obsessions or compulsions alone, or obsessions and compulsions, according to the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria. The Quick Reference to the diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV-TR (2000) describes these obsessions and compulsions:

Obsessions are defined by:

Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress.
The thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems.
The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action.
The person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind, and are not based in reality.
The tendency to laggle over small details that the viewer is unable to fix or change in any way. This begins a mental pre-occupation with that which is inevitable.
Compulsions are defined by:

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly.
The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive.
In addition to these criteria, at some point during the course of the disorder, the sufferer must realize that his/her obsessions or compulsions are unreasonable or excessive. Moreover, the obsessions or compulsions must be time-consuming (taking up more than one hour per day), cause distress, or cause impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning . OCD often causes feelings similar to that of depression.

Answer 2

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Obsessions are recurrent, unwanted, intrusive thoughts or images that don't feel volentarily controlled.
Compulsions are actions which the person feels compelled to repeat over and over again according to rituals and rules.

Obsessions and Compulsions are often related but can occur seperately. When they occur together compulsions represent as attempt to counteract obsessions. People with OCD experience obsessions and compulsions regularly.

It usually begins in early adulthood but often begins ealier in makes. Individuals with OCD can differr considerably from one another.

There are at least 4 primary recognised dimensions that people with OCD fall into (that is, the 'topics' of their obsessions and compulsions) these are 1: Symmetry and Ordering, 2: Contamination and Cleaning, 3: Agressive and Checking and 4: Sexual and Religious obsessions. (Claridge and Davis, 2003).

Search for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Yahoo and you'll likely get lots more information on it.

Answer 3

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Answer 4

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.... Basically you have compulsions to do things over and over again such as re-lock locks, wash hands constantly, clean obsessively, etc... If the compulsions arent acted on it can cause severe anxiety for the person