Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by unreasonable and repetitive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to compulsive behaviors performed to relieve the associated stress and anxiety. Common obsessions include fears of contamination, harm, or making mistakes. Compulsions like excessive cleaning, checking, counting, or arranging are performed to ease the distress of the obsessions. OCD often develops in childhood or adolescence and symptoms may come and go over one's lifetime. Researchers believe OCD is related to abnormalities in brain circuits involved in fear and anxiety.

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OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxietydisorder
characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears that lead to do repetitive
behaviors. People with OCD may realize that their obsessions are not
reasonable, and may try to ignore them,but that only increases the distress
and anxiety. Ultimately, they are driven to perform compulsive acts in an
effort to ease the stress. They alsofeel the need to check things or perform
routines and rituals repeatedly.For many people, OCD starts during childhood
or the teen years and their symptoms might come and go during their
lifetime ("Obsessive Compulsive Disorder").
This disorder often centers on themes, such as a fear of getting
contaminated by germs. To ease contamination fears, they may compulsively
wash their hands until they are sore and chapped. ("Symptoms and
Treatment of OCD") Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder fall into
one of the following categories:
Washers are afraid of contamination. They usually have cleaning or
hand-washing compulsions.

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OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Checkers repeatedly check things (oven turned off, door locked, etc.)
that they associate with harm or danger.
Doubters and sinners are afraid that if everything isn’t perfect or done
just right something terrible will happen or they will be punished.
Counters and arrangers are obsessed with order and symmetry. They
may have superstitions about certain numbers, colors, or
arrangements.
Hoarders fear that something bad will happen if they throw anything
away. They compulsively hoard things that they don’t need or use.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder sometimes runs in families, but no one
knows for sure why some people have it. Researchers have found that
several parts of the brain are involved in fear and anxiety; therefore, by
learning more about the brain, scientists may be able to create better
treatments ("OCD").
References
Helpguide.org. (s.f.). Recuperado el 9 de August de 2012, de
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/obsessive_compulsive_disorder_ocd.htm
Mayo Clinic. (s.f.). Recuperado el 9 de August de 2012, de
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189
National Institute of Mental Health.(s.f.). Recuperado el 9 de August de 2012, de
www.nimh.nih.gov

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OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER