Wadood+OCD+Disability+Research

=OCD=

__What is it?__

It is an anxiety disorder, meaning it gives people a feeling of uneasiness in certain instances. These instances take the form of repeated and/or unwanted "obsessions". **Obsessions** can be involuntary thoughts, ideas, actions, feelings or emotions that are quite often disturbing or distracting. In order to alleviate these obsessions, albeit for a short period of time, people act in a certain way. Not performing these **compulsions** (actions that you are driven to keep doing) might cause great anxiety.

__5 Categories of OCD victims__


 * Washers** are afraid of contamination and frequently wash their hands to alleviate obsessive thoughts.


 * Checkers** constantly keep an eye or "check" on things that they might deem dangerous or things that they associate with harm such as the gas switch on the stove.


 * Doubters/sinners** are perfectionists and become severely anxious if they feel something just isn't done right or 100% perfect as they feel something bad will happen.


 * Counters/arrangers** are obsessed with symmetry and are superstitious about certain colors or numbers or arrangements.


 * Hoarders** don't throw anything away. They constantly hoard things that they don't even use from fear that something bad will happen if they throw anything away.

__Symptoms of...__


 * Obsessive behavior** include**:**
 * Fear of contamination
 * Violent thoughts
 * Great focus
 * Superstition
 * Need for order or symmetry


 * Compulsive behavior** include:
 * Counting
 * Undergoing rituals
 * Tapping
 * Double-checking
 * Collecting junk
 * Repeating actions

__Medication__

The first medication that is considered during the treatment OCD patients is **SSRI** or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and, as a **depressant**, it slows down the central nervous system. Such drugs include:
 * Citalopram
 * Sertraline
 * Paroxetine
 * Fluvoxamine

Another type of medication that tends to work better in terms of treating the condition than the SSRI is a **TCA**. This medication is usually regarded as an option if the SSRI doesn't work as it tends to have unpleasant side effects including a serious drop in blood pressure and difficulty urinating.
 * Clomipramine** is the oldest type of **TCA** or tricyclic antidepressant.

__Treatment__

The most effective type of OCD treatment is **CBT** or cognitive behavioral therapy. In CBT, the patient is exposed to things that trigger obsessive thoughts multiple times. The patient then develops a resistance to the oncoming anxiety and in turn drops the need to perform a compulsive act. It works even better in conjunction with medication.

Another treatment is the "4 'R' Method" developed by Psychiatrist Jeffrey Schwartz.
 * **Relabel** - Train yourself to think that the obsessive thoughts are merely a result of the OCD.
 * **Reattribute** - Understand that the intensity of the obsessive thought or urge is a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain.
 * **Refocus** - Focus your attention somewhere else to work around the OCD.
 * **Revalue** - Tell yourself that the obsession is meaningless and it does not need your attention. Do not take the OCD at face value.

__Prevention__

You can not prevent OCD, but you can improve your condition with treatment.

__OCD in pop-culture__

English football player David Beckham has suffered from OCD. Aviator and entrepreneur Howard Hughes has reportedly struggled with OCD. It is one of the main themes in Orson Scott Cards's //Xenocide//, the sequel to //Ender's Game//.

__Citations__

"Obsessive-compulsive Disorder." PubMed Health. Ed. Linda J. Vorvick and Michelle B. Merrill. US National Library of Medicine, 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 13 Apr. 2012. .

"Obsessive–compulsive Disorder." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Web. 13 Apr. 2012. .

Robinson, Lawrence, Melinda Smith, and Jeanne Segal. "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR AND OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS." Helpguide. Web. 13 Apr. 2012. .