Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent obsessions and compulsions that are time-consuming and cause distress. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, urges or images, while compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to an obsession. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), especially exposure and response prevention, is the most effective treatment for OCD. Medications like antidepressants may also be used to help reduce OCD symptoms. While the causes are unclear, OCD appears to involve genetic and environmental factors that impact brain regions involved in fear and anxiety.

1. OBSSESIVE-
COMPULSIVE
DISORDER
People who has obsessive-compulsive disorder
(OCD) feel the need to check things repeatedly.
They tend to have certain thoughts, or perform
routines and rituals over and over, which causes
distress and get in the way of daily life.

2. WHAT DEFINES OBSSESIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER
ACCORDING TO THE DSM-5 ?
300.3 (F42).
O A. The presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both
1. Obsessions are defined by recurrent thoughts, urges, or
images
which are intrusive and causes distress and anxiety.
2. The individual attempt to suppress thoughts, urges, or
images by
compulsion.
Compulsions are defined by repetitive behaviors (hand-
washing,
checking things) or mental acts aimed at preventing or
reducing
anxiety (praying, counting, repetition of words silently).

3. WHAT CAUSES OBSSESIVE-
COMPULSIVE DISORDER ?
OCD may be linked to genetic factors and run in
families, but there is no certainty as to why some people
have it while others don't. Researchers have found that
several parts of the brain are involved in fear and
anxiety. Therefore, stress and environmental factors
may play a role

4. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF OBSSESIVE-
COMPULSIVE DISORDER ?
O Have repeated thoughts or images about many
different things, such as fear of germs, dirt, or
intruders; acts of violence; hurting loved ones; sexual
acts; conflicts with religious beliefs; or being overly
tidy
O Do the same rituals over and over such as washing
hands, locking and unlocking doors, counting,
keeping unneeded items, or repeating the same
steps again and again
O Can't control the unwanted thoughts and behaviors
O Don't get pleasure when performing the behaviors or
rituals, but get brief relief from the anxiety the
thoughts cause
O Spend at least 1 hour a day on the thoughts and
rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of
daily life.

5. HOW IS OBSSESIVE-COMPULSIVE
DISORDER DIAGNOSED ?
O People with OCD typically try to solve their
problem by detaching themselves and by avoiding
situations that trigger their behaviors, or they may
use alcohol or drugs to calm themselves.
O OCD can be related to eating disorders, other
anxiety disorders, or depression.
O First, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
Your doctor should do an exam to make sure that
another physical problem isn't causing the
symptoms. The doctor may refer you to a mental
health specialist.

6. WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR
OBSSESIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER ?
Psychotherapy. A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavior
therapy is especially useful for treating OCD. It teaches a person different
ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations that help him or her
feel less anxious or fearful without having obsessive thoughts or acting
compulsively. One type of therapy called exposure and response
prevention is especially helpful in reducing compulsive behaviors in OCD.
Medication. Doctors also may prescribe medication to help treat OCD.
The most commonly prescribed medications for OCD are anti-anxiety
medications and antidepressants. Anti-anxiety medications are powerful
and there are different types. Many types begin working right away, but
they generally should not be taken for long periods.
Antidepressants are used to treat depression, but they are also particularly
helpful for OCD, probably more so than anti-anxiety medications.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

7. IRRATIONAL AND UNWANTED
THOUIGHTS AND BEHAVIORS.
The repetitive and aggravating thoughts of OCD are referred to as
obsessions. Some people try to control them and people with OCD
repeat rituals or behaviors, which are called compulsions. People
with OCD can’t control these thoughts and rituals.
Examples of obsessions are fear of germs, of being hurt or of
hurting others, and troubling religious or sexual thoughts. Examples
of compulsions are repeatedly counting things, cleaning things,
washing the body or parts of it, or putting things in a certain order,
when these actions are not needed, and checking things over and
over.

8. LIVING WITH OBSSESIVE-COMPULSIVE
DISORDER:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/when-unwanted-
thoughts-take-over-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/index.shtml

9. PSYCHOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR
OBSSESIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive ritualizers have maintained their
improvement after exposure in vivo for up to 3 years' follow-up in
the United States, Britain, Greece, and Australia. Unlike exposure in
vivo, relaxation is of little value. Early gains in treatment predict
long- term outcome. Exposure therapy is usually on an outpatient
basis and takes 1-30 sessions. Self-exposure homework is critical.
Sessions at home are also required, together with relatives
cooperating as exposure psychotherapists. Some patients can treat
themselves almost unaided, while others need extensive
assistance. Clomipramine is helpful for ritualizers with coexisting
depression, but depression tends to recur when clomipramine
therapy is stopped.Review of behavioral psychotherapy, I: Obsessive-compulsive disorders
American Journal of Psychiatry 1981 138:5, 584-592

10. PSYCHOTHERAPY TREATMENT FOR
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

11. Medication treatment used for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)