Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, otherwise known as OCD, is a disease that is well known, but often people are not well educated enough as to what the disease really entails. OCD is a serious mental disorder that has the potential to be debilitating or disabling for those who have it. It is part of a group of mental disorders called anxiety disorders, and the disease can spur periods of great anxiety and panic attacks in those who have it.

Thoughts and Compulsions

The disease is characterized by the affected person having intrusive thoughts that are unwanted but that the person cannot get rid of. The person will also repeatedly perform a certain task in order to get rid of those thoughts. For example, someone with an extreme fear of germs will be constantly afraid of catching an illness and will repeatedly wash his hands.

The forms of OCD can range from very mild to severe and disabling. People with the disease are often trapped in an intrusive pattern of performing the same tasks and rituals over and over again. Fear of contamination, as in the example described above, is the most common type of OCD intrusive thought experienced. This includes the fear of germs and bacteria. Hand-washing and checking are the most common compulsions experienced by people with OCD.

In people with OCD, these thoughts and compulsions will not go away. Any attempts made on behalf of the afflicted people to resist having these thoughts or performing certain rituals can cause the person to experience extreme anxiety. Attempting to repress these established thought and ritual patterns can also lead to panic attacks. People who suspect that they have OCD should seek help immediately. Doing so can enable patients to begin treatment as soon as possible and to lead a better quality of life than before.

People with OCD may be criticized for their thoughts and behaviors by those who do not understand the disease. What people need to realize is that OCD is an actual disorder that can greatly impact the lives of those who have it, as well as the lives of those who care about the patient. OCD is certainly an interesting disease that deserves further study and review.

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