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What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common mental health disorder that affects people of a wide age variety. This disorder causes different obsessions and compulsions. There are multiple types of obsessions that this disorder can cause, such as fear of harming those around you, arranging objects in certain ways, and aggressive or violent thoughts.

How does OCD affect the body?

OCD is a disorder that affects the brain, which is part of the nervous system. This disorder is nothing to be ashamed about. In the US., OCD is common with more than 200,000 diagnosed cases per year. If you have OCD, you may experience strong urges or have powerful thoughts that can sometimes make everyday tasks more challenging. Stress and anxiety are some things that can worsen OCD, so it's always important to take a break sometimes.

Is there treatment for OCD?

Though there is no cure for OCD, people can undergo treatment which may include a physical exam, lab testing, psychological evaluations, and taking a look at diagnostic criteria for OCD. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can be a difficult thing to diagnose because it has so many similar traits to other mental illnesses like anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression.

What happens if OCD is left untreated?

Every patients level of OCD is different but for some, if left untreated, symptoms can get worse. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can be bad enough to affect every day life and choices for some people. Without getting help, this illness can cause fatigue, physical and emotional exhaustion, panic attacks, depression, and suicidal thoughts. About 1% of diagnosed patients experience OCD bad enough to commit suicide.