Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that hamper day to day activity. Most common forms of OCDs are fear of contamination by germs or dirt, so patients keep washing hands very frequently and having to check and recheck such actions as whether a door is locked or not. The degree by which individuals get affected varies, but all cases of OCD generally take up more than1 hour per day and are undertaken to relieve the anxiety triggered by the core fear. Doctors treating patients of OCD must ask specific questions regarding recurrent thoughts and behaviors, because patients often conceal their symptoms due to embarrassment by the content of their thought and their actions. Physicians must enquire about specific clues like, chafed and reddened hands or patchy hair loss which are due to repetitive hair pulling. Symptoms like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and tics (eating of earth) are common. Some of the OCD are of benign nature, which does not cause any problem. But some are very much embarrassing and time consuming and harmful in the long run. Some patients are obsessive with counting numbers.
Categories: General Health Tags: Add new tag, compulsive disorder, kleptomania, OCD
