Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of
anxiety disorder in which people suffer from
recurrent, unwanted thoughts or ideas (obsessions);
engage in repetitive, irrational behaviors or mental
acts (compulsions); or both. Among people with OCD,
carrying out the compulsive behavior tends to ease
feelings of anxiety while repressing the compulsive
behavior causes stress
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According to the National Institute of
Mental Health, OCD affects about 2.3 percent
of the US population ages 18 to 54, which
translates into approximately 3.3 million
Americans. An additional 1 million children
and adolescents have the disorder. The
condition typically begins during early
childhood or adolescence and affects men and
women equally (National Institute of Mental
Health 2006). |
As many as two-thirds
of people who have OCD suffer from additional
psychiatric conditions. These conditions, including
depression, eating disorders, personality disorder,
attention deficit disorder, and other anxiety
disorders (e.g., social phobia, separation anxiety
disorder), can make it difficult for physicians to
diagnose and treat OCD because of overlapping
symptoms. Of these additional conditions, major
depressive disorder appears to be the most common,
affecting up to 55 percent of OCD patients. Bipolar
disorder affects as many as 30 percent of OCD
patients, while social phobia impacts 23 percent (Cosoff
S et al 1998; Kruger S et al 1995). |
