What Is OCD?
OCD is a disorder in which the person experiences obsessive and intrusive thoughts, and exhibits compulsive, ritualistic behaviors. Current theories suggest that this disorder is biological in nature.

What are the symtoms of OCD?

        Most people occasionally get a thought stuck in thier head or check the lights or stove a few times. However, people with OCD are so preoccupied with a thought or so compelled to check and recheck that they cannot continue the normal routine of the day. These obsessions are unwanted, unpleasant, and cause anxiety.

Some Common Obsessive, Intrusive thoughts are:

-Fear of contaminations
        -Fearing dirt, germs, cancer, AIDS, bodily wastes, chemicals, radiation, or sticky substances.

-Fear of causeing harm to another
        -putting poison in food, spreading illness, smothering a child, pushing a stranger in front of a car, running over a pesestrian.

-Fear of Making a Mistake
        -Setting fire to the house, flooding the house, losing something valuble, bankrupting the company

-Fear of Behaving in a socialy Unacceptable manner
        -Swearing, making sexual advances, saying the wrong thing.

Some common compulsive, ritualistic behaviors

-Checking
        Repeatedly checking to see if the light switches, appliances and faucets are off;if the doors are locked; numbers are correct

-Counting / Reapeating
        -Counting to a certain number or counting objects over and over; repeatedly performing a behavior before being able to move on

-Collecting / Hoarding
        -Collecting old objects, mail or trash to the point of filling up one's home

-Cleaning / Washing
        -Hand washing, showering or cleaning oneself repeatedly
 

What can I do to help my friend or family member with OCD?

      First of all, Learn what you can about OCD.

- If you live with the individual, bring information such as pamphlets or video tapes into the house, leave them arround, and let the individual read or watch them in thier own time.
Leave them where you know your loved one will see it.

-If the Individual wants you to participate in thier ritualistic behavior, tell them that you don't want to. You will help them resist thier compulsions, but will not assist or do them.
Explain that you are trying to understand what he/she is going though, but that if you give in to his/her demands, it will only make the situation worse.

-Encourage the indivitual by letting him or her know that they are not alone and that with treatment, most people experience a significant decrease in symptoms.

-Sugest the person join a support group

-If the individual refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem, don't be afraid to take a definitive action.

How is OCD Treated?

Drug Therapy

The drugs that have been shown to be effective are those that are serotonin inhibitors.They may help normalize the brain's ballance of chemicals.

Behavior Therepy

Medication an Behavior Therepy often complement one another. Behavior therepy helps the patient learn to resist the compulsions and obsessions. Reaserch has shown that Behavior therepy can change brain chemicals over time.

My knowledge of OCD is limited, but if you have any questions please E-Mail us.