About.com Health: An Obsession You Can't Control

Tuesday, May 8, 2012 3:13 PM

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Health From Heather Watkins, your About Health Editor It's become common to say things like "I'm so OCD" when referring to your overzealous cleaning habit. But obsessive-compulsive disorder isn't just slang; it's a recognized mental disorder that can cause a lot of strife for those who suffer from it. Symptoms of OCD  There are two main OCD symptoms -- obsessions, or the unwanted thoughts that you can't get out of your head, and compulsions, the behaviors that you feel you have to carry out over and over. Is Germaphobia an OCD Symptom? See More About:  ocd diagnosis  obsessions  compulsions Getting a Diagnosis  A diagnosis of OCD often deals with the severity and duration of your symptoms. For example, if you have OCD, you will usually spend more than an hour a day thinking about your obsession, or carrying out your compulsion or ritual. Living with OCD See More About:  ocd symptoms  ocd treatment  structured clinical interview Treating OCD  There are several treatment options for OCD, involving medications, therapy, and self-help strategies that focus on relaxation and/or distraction. Will Medication Work for Me? What To Do if Nothing Works See More About:  ssris  tricyclic antidepressants  psychological therapy Types of OCD  There are a variety of subtypes of OCD. If you've ever seen the TV show "Hoarders," then you're probably familiar with that type, but there are a few others as well. Hoarding Trichotillomania (Compulsive Hair Pulling) See More About:  dsm-iv  obsessions  compulsions Health Ads Home Health Nursing Food Health Recipe Mental Health Mental Health Health Health News Featured Articles Gluten-Free Mother's Day Refusing Cancer Treatment Teeth Whitening Home Remedies What is Cognitive Reserve? Protein-Packed Low Calorie Snacks When It's Time for a Nursing Home   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers  Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Macaroni and Cheese  Oodles of delicious macaroni and cheese recipes, from old fashioned classics to spiced-up versions. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here.  About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy  Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com