In this Article

• What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and what are its symptoms?
• What causes OCD?
• How is OCD diagnosed?
• What are the treatments for OCD?
• What happens if OCD is not treated?
• Where can I get more information about obsessive compulsive disorder?
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Describe Your Experience
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Glossary
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Index

What happens if OCD is not treated?

Without treatment, the symptoms of OCD can progress to the point that the sufferer's life becomes consumed, inhibiting their ability to keep a job and maintain important relationships. Many people with OCD have thoughts of killing themselves, and about 1% complete suicide.

In terms of the prognosis for the specific symptoms, it is rare for any to progress to a physically debilitating level. However, problems like compulsive hand washing can eventually cause skin to become dry and even to break down. Repeated trichotillomania can result in unsightly scabs on the person's scalp.

Where can I get more information about obsessive compulsive disorder?

Further information about OCD can be gained from the following resources.

Anxiety Disorders Association of America
240/485-1001
http://www.adaa.org

American Psychiatric Association
703/907-7300
http://www.psych.org

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center for OCD & Anxiety
http://www.cbtmarin.com/treatment.asp

National Institute of Mental Health
866/615-6464
http://www.nimh.nih.gov

Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous
http://members.aol.com/west24th

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
http://www.ocfoundation.org/
P.O. Box 961029
Boston, Mass. 02196
(617) 973-5801

OCD Recovery Centers of America
http://www.ocdrecoverycenters.com/

OCDResource.com
http://www.ocdresource.com/

OCD Online
http://www.ocdonline.com/

Tourettes Syndrome Association
http://www.tsa-usa.org/

Trichotillomania Learning Center
http://www.trich.org/

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder At A Glance

• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by irresistible thoughts or images (obsessions) and/or rigid rituals/behaviors that may be driven by obsessions (compulsions).
• OCD occurs in about 2% of populations worldwide across cultures and has been known to the field of medicine for at least 100 years.
• The average age of onset of OCD is 19 years, and it usually begins by the age of 30 years.
• OCD sufferers are more likely than those who do not have the disorder to also suffer from other anxiety disorders.
• While there is no known specific cause for OCD, presence of the illness in other family members and an imbalance of the brain chemical serotonin are thought to increase the likelihood of OCD developing.
• OCD is diagnosed by the practitioner looking for signs and symptoms of this and other emotional problems, as well as ensuring that there is no medical condition that could be contributing to development of OCD.
• OCD tends to respond most to a combination of behavior therapies (exposure and ritual prevention), group or individual cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications.
• Although not as effective in treating OCD as clomiprmine, SSRIs are the group of medications that are most often used to treat this illness since the SSRIs tend to cause less side effects.
• SSRIs are thought to work by increasing the activity of serotonin in the brain.
• Although the symptoms of OCD may last indefinitely, its prognosis is best when the sufferer has milder symptoms that have been present for a short time, and the person has no other emotional problems.
• Without treatment, OCD can worsen to the point that the sufferer has physical problems, becomes emotionally unable to function, or experiences suicidal thoughts. About 1% of OCD sufferers complete suicide.

References:

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic Criteria from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, Treatment Revision 2000.

Awareness Foundation for OCD and Related Disorders. Mental health and OCD resources. 2007.

Bejerot, S, Ekselius, L, von Knorring, L. Comorbidity between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and personality disorders. Acta Psychiatry Scandinavia 1998; 97(6): 398-402.

Chabane, N, Delorme, R, Millet, B, Mouren, MC, Lebover, M, Pauls, D. Early-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder: a subgroup with a specific clinical and familial pattern? Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2004; 46(8): 881-887.

Cordioli, AV, Heldt, E, Bochi, DB, Maris, R, de Sousa, MB, Tonello, JF, Manfro, GG, Kapczinski, F. Cognitive-behavioral group therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomized clinical trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2003; 72: 211-216.

Foa, EB, Liebowitz, MR, Kozak, MJ, Davies, S, Campeas, R, Franklin, ME, Huppert, JD, Kjernisted, K, Rowan, V, Sxhmidt, AB, Simpson, HB, Tu, X. Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of exposure and ritual prevention, clomipramine and their combination in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Focus Summer 2007; 5: 368-380.

Geller, DA, Biederman, J, Stewart, SE, Mullin, B, Martin, A, Spencer, T, Faraone, SV. Which SSRI? A meta-analysis of pharmacotherapy trials in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry 2003; 160: 1919-1928.

Horwath, E, Weissman, M. The epidemiology and cross-national presentation of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America 2003; 23(3): 493-507.

Hu, XZ, Lipsky, RH, Zhu, G, Akhtar, LA, Taubman, J, Greenberg, BD, Xu, K, Arnold, PD, Richter, MA, Kennedy, JL. Serotonin transporter promoter gain-of-function genotypes are linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Human Genetics May 2006; 78(5), 815 - 826.

Journal of the American Medical Association. Obsessive compulsive disorder. 10/27/04; 292(16).

Kobak, KA, Greist, JH, Jefferson, JW, Katzelnick, DJ, Henk, HJ. Behavioral versus pharmacological treatments of obsessive compulsive disorder. Focus 2, 2004; 462-474.

National Institute of Mental Health. The numbers count: Mental disorders in America. June 26, 2008.

National Institute of Mental Health. Psychotherapy, medications best for youth with obsessive compulsive disorder. Press Release, 10/28/04.

Pallanti, S. Transcultural observations of obsessive-compulsive disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry 2008; 165: 169-170.

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