Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder. The

essential features of OCD are repeated thoughts that create an

awareness of alarm or threat. (e.g., "I might get AIDS from the germs

on that door knob;" "Since I had the thought of

killing my baby, I might be capable of doing it;" "If I don't pick up

that Band-Aid someone else might get

sick from it, and I would hold myself culpable;" etc.). Persons

typically engage in some avoidance or escape

response in reaction to the obsessive threat (I typically refer to the

obsessive threat as a "spike.").

Obsessions take the form of either a perceived threat of physical harm

to oneself or others or, in some

cases, more of a metaphysical or spiritual threat to oneself, others,

or perhaps a deity. I conceptualize the

overall syndrome of OCD to consist of three primary branches. Within

all three branches, in approximately

80% of all cases, persons performing these rituals are painfully aware

that their behavior is unreasonable

and irrational. However this insight provides no relief. Therefore

attempting to help sufferers through

reassurance has no long lasting positive effect. It is not unusual for

people to question whether they might

qualify for a diagnosis of OCD given that most of the following

examples are not unlike what most of us do

to a limited degree on an everyday basis. Everyday examples of OCD

like behavior include using one's foot

to flush a toilet, knocking on wood three times to ward of a bad omen,

throwing salt over one's shoulder

for a positive future, or feeling inspired to say "God forbid!" after

mentioning the potential death of a

living person. Simplistic tests to determine whether these behaviors

cross the line into the OCD realm include

asking yourself how much money it would take for you not to perform

the safe behavior. Persons operating

in the non-OCD realm would most likely accept between $10 to $100 to

do something that would make them