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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.
OCD symptoms can occur in any age, but most people with this diagnose say that they were first stricken in childhood. It is difficult to properly diagnose and treat OCD. The reason for this is that usually people with OCD are very secretive about their life or lack understanding of their illness. Therefore it is necessary to observe a teen and consult a specialist if you seriously believe that a teenager might have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Not all Obsessive-Compulsive behaviors represent an illness. Some rituals (e.g., bedtime songs, religious practices) are a welcome part of daily life. Normal worries, such as contamination fears, may increase during times of stress, such as when someone in the family is sick or dying. Only when symptoms persist, make no sense, cause much distress, or interfere with functioning do they need clinical attention.
OCD symptoms cause distress, take up a lot of time (more than an hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person's work, social life, or relationships.
Most individuals with OCD recognize at some point that their obsessions are coming from within their own minds and are not just excessive worries about real problems, and that the compulsions they perform are excessive or unreasonable. When someone with OCD does not recognize that their beliefs and actions are unreasonable, this is called OCD with poor insight.
In general, behavioral therapy and treatment with medication are equally effective approaches. However, the beneficial effects of therapy are longer lasting than medication. Effective therapy must include evaluation of the patient’s entire biological, psychological, social and cultural background. A treatment plan based on a thorough evaluation is essential. In most cases, there must be changes in the patient’s environment and social support system for treatment of a patient to be successful.
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