Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions. The rituals or actions associated with the obsessions are called compulsions. People who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder do not necessarily gain pleasure from their performances, only a temporary relief. Each ritual needs to be performed over and over again thus never allowing complete satisfaction.
OCD is best described by a group or series of rituals that must be performed. These thoughts are uncontrollable. A person who suffers has lost their power of choice. They cannot control the thoughts and they must perform the routine. The urgent need to carry out certain tasks is overwhelming and very life hindering.
Tracey was a hand washer. She was constantly washing her hands. And she had a hand washing ritual. She would put soap in her hands, rub them around, and rinse the soap. She would do this three times for each hand washing ritual. And her hands had to be washed if she touched anything she felt was unsanitary. Tracey carried around a can of Lysol and a rag and wiped everything in her house she touched. This was an all day, ongoing routine. Needless to say, Tracey's hands were red and raw.
Not only are there hand washers, there are those who constantly check things like the electrical appliances to see if they've been turned off, the locks on the doors to see if the doors are locked. People touch things and count. Some people avoid walking on the cracks in sidewalks. Some people clean their whole house everyday or maybe it's just sweeping the floor every hour. Whatever it is, it is a bondage that must be broken.
The majority of people can relate in some way to OCD behaviors. Maybe the pillows have to be in the right place on the couch or the remote in a straight line with the TV guide on the end table, but for those who suffer severe symptoms of the disorder have far more debilitating symptoms. Hours each day are consumed with distressing and interfering thoughts and behaviors.
Most adults who suffer from OCD recognize that their disease is senseless. Children however don't always relate their behaviors to a disease.
OCD effects about 3.3 million adult Americans. It is just as prevalent in men as in women and it attacks people of all ages. Most adults recognize symptoms beginning in childhood. In some cases symptoms get better with age, but not always. Sometimes symptoms increase or ease up depending on life events.
Along with OCD the patient can suffer with depression, other anxiety disorders and eating disorders. Whatever the severity, OCD can be a great hindrance to life and must be treated.