An estimated 1 in 3 adult Americans and 1 in 200 children suffers from OCD. It is one of the top ten diseases that cause disability all over the world. While it affects both genders equally, more boys than girls show “tics” or compulsive physical movements, and more boys are likely to develop OCD before puberty than girls. Males tend to develop OCD between the ages of 6 and 15, while females are more likely to develop the disorder once they are 13 years of age or older.
OCD is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Fortunately, OCD is highly treatable through medication, therapy, or both.

These are the most common primary obsessions and compulsions:

• Fear of Contamination. People with this type of OCD are obsessed with the thought of dirt, germs, and other things they consider unclean. They might compulsively wash their hands until they are raw, or they might go to great lengths to avoid public restrooms or other places where they fear they could become contaminated.
• Compulsive Checking. Compulsive checkers have obsessive fears of accidentally harming themselves or others. This fear causes them to check and recheck locked doors and windows, repeatedly check to make sure stoves and ovens are turned off, and drive circuits around their neighborhood to make sure they didn’t hit a pedestrian.
• Symmetry and Counting. This obsession with perfection causes people to arrange and rearrange items until they are precise and symmetrical. They can feel extreme distress if items aren’t aligned just right or organized according to a system only they understand. Some might also count things compulsively, such as tiles on a floor or cracks in a sidewalk.
• Intrusive Thoughts. Some OCD sufferers are consumed by thoughts that they find distressing, such as thoughts of violence or inappropriate sexual contact. They are unable to control the frequency or intensity of these thoughts, and might feel a strong sense of shame or guilt because of them.
• Recent thinking has linked OCD with hoarding behavior. People with hoarding tendencies are afraid of losing their items and compelled to acquire more. They bring more belongings into their home even if the items are worthless or hazardous and the house is already overfilled. They feel serious discomfort when they consider getting rid of their possessions.

Symptoms can manifest in different ways, but here are some of the symptoms most frequently observed in all types of OCD:

• Fear of Germs or Contamination
• Unwanted Thoughts of Explicit Harm, Violence or Sex
• Perfectionism
• Excessive Cleaning or Handwashing
• Ordering and Arranging Items
• Repeatedly Checking on Things
• Compulsive Counting
• Uncontrollable Thoughts and Behaviors
• Physical or Verbal Tics
• Self-Medicating Through Drugs or Alcohol

Studies have shown that OCD is strongly genetic. If you have a close relative with the disorder, you are much more likely to develop it yourself. Imaging has revealed differences in the frontal cortex and subcortical structures of the brain in patients with OCD. The disorder can also develop as a response to physical or sexual abuse or other traumatic incidents.

The most effective treatment plans incorporate psychotherapy and medication. Dr. Molina is a licensed psychiatric doctor, so he will prescribe the best medications for your condition and monitor your progress. If you experience unwanted side effects, he will change your dosage or medication to give you the best outcome

OCD can make life miserable, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Call us today so that we can get you feeling better again and help you get past the thoughts and behaviors that overrun your life.