|
 |
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.
|
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.
|
Treating OCD
There are several treatment options for OCD, involving medications, therapy, and self-help strategies that focus on relaxation and/or distraction.
|
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.
|
|
|
| Health Ads
| | | |
Featured Articles
|
|
| |
|
| |
| 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 |
|
