Obsessive-Compulsive

Definition and Symptoms

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (“obsessions”) and/or behaviors (“compulsions”) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over. OCD can affect men, women and children. Some people start having symptoms early, often around puberty, but it usually starts during early adulthood.

Treatment

The two main treatments for OCD are psychotherapy and medications. Often, treatment is most effective with a combination of these. In treatment-resistant cases, other options may be offered such as intensive outpatient and residential treatment programs, deep brain stimulation (DBS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).