This document summarizes obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), including who can develop it, common symptoms, potential causes, and treatments. OCD affects approximately 3% of Americans and can develop in teens and adults, causing obsessions and compulsions. Common obsessions include fears of germs, harming others, unwanted thoughts, and need for order. Compulsions like handwashing, praying, or counting alleviate anxiety. Potential causes include abnormalities in brain regions like the basal ganglia and cingulum, as well as genetic and chemical factors. Cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are effective treatments, but many suffer for years without proper diagnosis and support.