Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): The Repetitive Controller

575 Words2 Pages

All people have to double check things once in a while, like if a door is locked or if the lights are off. But people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, have an urge to check and recheck items and the disorder “controls” what people do, and how people do tasks by causing them to repeatedly see how something looks or if something is organized. OCD can be a challenging disorder to live with as it causes anxiety levels to build up. The cause of OCD is still unknown. But some researchers believe that it runs in the family but do not know if any environmental or stress factors affect the risk of getting OCD. Some believe some environmental factors like stress, abuse, illness or death of a loved one can start the possible effects of OCD. Others believe low levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin is the cause of OCD, and that it can be passed from parent to offspring. Researchers are studying the fear and anxiety levels in the brain to create a better treatment for the symptoms of OCD. There are a couple evident symptoms of OCD. People tend to do an action over and over again to calm their anxiety levels. They tend to not be able to control unwanted thoughts or actions, and spend minimum an hour each day on the obsessing rituals which gets in their way for daily life. Common obsessions are needs for symmetry or order, fear of germs, causing harm to other people, dirt or germs, etc. Common compulsions include constant bathing, hoarding of items, constant counting, etc. These signs can interfere with a person’s life and ruin relationships with others. The symptoms of OCD can affect a person negatively because of its interference in life. Some common interference is depression, alcohol or drug abuse, suicidal... ... middle of paper ... ...ferent OCD organizations to treat OCD. OCD is both a common well-known disorder but still a mystery to all. OCD can be a challenging disorder to live with and isn’t easy to live a normal life. OCD can affect anyone, and while to most it’s just a simple recheck, to others it’s an obstacle that needs to be overcome. Works Cited "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. . "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD." National Institute of Mental Health. USA.Gov, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. . "Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)." Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). MayoClinic, n.d. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. .

More about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): The Repetitive Controller

Open Document