Also called: Also called: OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. If you have OCD, you have repeated, upsetting thoughts called obsessions. You do the same thing over and over again to try to make the thoughts go away. Those repeated actions are called compulsions.
Examples of obsessions are a fear of germs or a fear of being hurt. Compulsions include washing your hands, counting, checking on things or cleaning. Untreated, OCD can take over your life.
Researchers think brain circuits may not work properly in people who have OCD. It tends to run in families. The symptoms often begin in children or teens. Treatments that combine medicines and therapy are often effective.
National Institute of Mental Health
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: What It Is and How to Treat It(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/anxiety/133.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/mentalhealth/anxiety/133.printerview.html
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When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/complete-publication.shtml
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)(Mental Health America) - http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/anxiety-disorders/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml
- Brain Scans Show Heightened Risk for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(07/17/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_67086.html
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy(NAMI) - http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=About_Treatments_and_Supports&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7952
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Medications(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/medications/complete-publication.shtml
- Anxiety Disorders Information: Helping a Family Member(Anxiety Disorders Association of America) - http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/HelpAFamilyMember.asp
- How Do I know If My Therapist Can Treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?(Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation) - Links to PDF - http://www.ocfoundation.org/UserFiles/File/How-to-Choose-a-Therapist.pdf
- OCD: Related Disorders(Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation) - http://www.ocfoundation.org/related-disorders.html
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Obsessive-Compulsive+Disorder%22
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How Strep Triggers Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - New Clues(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2006/how-strep-triggers-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-new-clues.shtml
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(National Institutes of Health) - Links to PDF - http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/OCD.pdf
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Capsulotomy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: long-term follow-up of 25 patients. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18678796&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Extended-release fluvoxamine (Luvox CR). - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18583947&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Escitalopram in obsessive-compulsive disorder: response of symptom dimensions to pharmacotherapy. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18567973&tool=MedlinePlus
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=obsessive+compulsive+disorder[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+systematic[sb])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- ADAA - Glossary(Anxiety Disorders Association of America) - http://www.adaa.org/gettinghelp/glossary.asp
- Mental Health Services Locator(Center for Mental Health Services) - http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/
- American Psychiatric Association - http://www.psych.org/
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America - http://www.adaa.org/
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National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
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Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america.shtml
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/ocd.html
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/OCD.html
- OCD Medication: Children(Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation) - http://www.ocfoundation.org/ocd-medication-children.html
- Going to College with OCD(Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation) - http://www.ocfoundation.org/organizedchaos/articles/Organized-Chaos-V006/Organized-Chaos-V006_02.php
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/ocd.html
- Anxiety - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anxiety.html
- Mental Health and Behavior - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealthandbehavior.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is the National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/obsessivecompulsivedisorder.html