Tell Me More About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, And Treatments

This post is part of Celebrity Health Week at the b5media Health & Wellness Channel. For more information about Celebrity Health Week posts here at Mental Health Notes, visit Introducing Celebrity Health Week: Celebrities And Mental Illness.

Now that we’ve highlighted celebrities who have obsessive-compulsive disorder, let’s take a look at the illness itself so you can better understand what these famous folks are going through.

Keep in mind that this post is just an overview and by no means meant to act as a substitute for medical professional advice.

I once ran a series here at Mental Health Notes about obsessive-compulsive disorder called I Must Shave My Legs: The OCD Miniseries. Below, I’ll highlight posts from that series that will answer your questions about OCD, as well as information from

The National Alliance on Mental Illness and their section on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and the National Institute of Mental Health and their booklet about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

So, after reading this overview of OCD, I highly recommend checking out those Web sites and pages for more detailed information.

Read on!

Quick Facts about OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable obsessions and compulsions that very often take over a person’s life – not just interrupting their daily routines, but becoming their daily routines.

The NIMH lists a few examples of obsessions and compulsions.

Signs and Symptoms of OCD

The two key symptoms of OCD are obsessions and compulsions.

Both the NIMH and NAMI do excellent jobs of breaking down obsessions and compulsions.

OCD Causes and Risk Factors

We don’t yet know the exact cause of OCD, though some of the usual suspects (biology, environment, serotonin, strep throat, family history, stress, and pregnancy) are under the microscope.

Treatment Options for OCD

As leaving OCD untreated can lead to severe mental, physical, and social complications, it’s best to talk with your doctor about your symptoms as soon as possible.

Some of the most common treatments for OCD include medication, psychotherapy, and self-care. The NIMH points out that antidepressants, antianxiety medicines, and beta-blockers may be effective management tools for OCD, and I gathered a list of online support resources for OCD.

If you think you suffer from OCD, contact your doctor. If you think someone you know suffers from OCD, point him or her in the direction of these resources and encourage him or her to contact a doctor. There is absolutely nothing shameful or embarrassing about dealing with mental illness, and there are effective treatment options available.

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